The killers of the crops and economy, the Dust Bowl and Great Depression carry the hardships of the itinerant farmers, uprooting them West. In The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck captures the need of strength of the American migrant families to face their depressing reality. Throughout the novel, Tom Joad develops into the speaker for the American movement as he learns the importance of unity through Jim Casy.
At the beginning of the novel, Tom Joad represents an individualist, but eventually evolves into a leader. Tom, recently released from prison for homicide, returns home to his family planning to go California. At first, Tom Joad’s character embraces individualism and mentality of “‘jus’ puttin’ one foot in front a the other” (Steinbeck 223),
At the beginning of the novel, Tom Joad represents an individualist, but eventually evolves into a leader. Tom, recently released from prison for homicide, returns home to his family planning to go California. At first, Tom Joad’s character embraces individualism and mentality of “‘jus’ puttin’ one foot in front a the other” (Steinbeck 223),