As his appearance is portrayed in Steinbeck’s introduction of his protagonist: “
He was not over thirty. His eyes were very dark brown .
.. His cheek bones were high and wide … The space between thumb and forefinger and the hams ofhis hands were shiny with callus” (9).
How would you describe Tom Joad?
Tom Joad. The novel’s protagonist, and Ma and Pa Joad’s favorite son.
Tom is good-natured and thoughtful and makes do with what life hands him
. Even though he killed a man and has been separated from his family for four years, he does not waste his time with regrets.
Is Tom Joad static or dynamic?
Tom Joad is one of the major characters, and his psychological and spiritual development is central to the text. Tom can be
considered a dynamic character
because he changes over the course of the novel as a result of his experiences narrated in the plot.
How does Tom Joad develop as a character?
Tom Joad develops as a character and becomes a disciple of
Jim Casy by discovering his life’s purpose, going out to fight for what he and Casy believe in
, and combining both the discovery of his life’s purpose and his new found passion to change the world. Tom roars in outrage when he witnesses Casy death.
What happened Tom Joad?
Set during the Great Depression, the novel focuses on the Joads,
a poor family of tenant farmers driven from their Oklahoma home by drought, economic hardship, agricultural industry changes
, and bank foreclosures forcing tenant farmers out of work.
Is Tom Joad dynamic?
He is passionate and impulsive. Initially self-centered, Tom proves to
be the most dynamic character in the story
and greatly changes throughout its events.
Why is Tom Joad the hero?
Tom Joad has found something to believe in. Though he starts the novel as a somewhat selfish former convict,
his family’s hardship turns him into an altruistic hero
. Tom is introduced to the idea of selflessness from the former preacher Jim Casy. … When he sees Casy killed by a police officer, Tom kills that officer.
What realization does Tom reach?
Tom concludes that the secret to the camp’s success and independence is that the migrants work together; the police are powerless against a collaborative effort. Tom is coming to realize
the profound power of the unity that Casy preaches
. His belief in the value of organized labor is growing stronger.
What are the major themes in Grapes of Wrath?
- Humanity, Inhumanity, and Dehumanization. …
- Dignity, Honor, and Wrath. …
- Faith and Guilt. …
- Powerlessness, Perseverance, and Resistance. …
- Family, Friendship, and Community.
What does Ma Joad symbolize?
Ma represents
the “citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken
.” Because she is stronger than Pa is, she becomes the guiding force behind the family. She is always calm and controlled in her emotional reactions.
How much money do the Joads have at the beginning of their trip?
The Joads get ready for their trip. They pack up their car, a Jalopy, with their most essential possessions, and they sell the rest
for $18 in town
. When everything is packed a ready to go, Grampa realizes he wants to stay behind.
Why is The Grapes of Wrath a banned book?
In fact, in many communities The Grapes of Wrath was banned and burned, both for its
occasional obscene language
and its general themes.
Why did Tom leave in Grapes of Wrath?
The end of The Grapes of Wrath is among the most memorable concluding chapters in American literature. … As
Tom leaves his family to fight for social justice
, he completes the transformation that began several chapters earlier.
Why does Jim Casy give up preaching?
A traveling preacher, Jim Casy was “lousy with the spirit” but troubled by the sinful sensuality that seemed to result from being “all full up of Jesus.” He leaves
preaching
and wanders in the wild country, trying to come to terms with his own ideas about God, holiness, and sin.
What is the first thing the Joads want to know when Tom comes home?
He claims that he aims to live off the land like Muley and continues to protest loudly until the Joads lace his
coffee with sleeping medicine
. Once the old man is asleep, the family loads him onto the truck and begins the long journey west.
How does Pa Joad change in the Grapes of Wrath?
Pa Joad is a good, thoughtful man, and he plans the family’s trip to California with great care and consideration. … As a result,
he becomes less and less effective in his role as family leader
, and Ma points this out directly.
