1 Parendo Hannah Parendo Mrs.

Mills Honors English 11 19 March 2012 Tom Joad From 1930 to 1936, America was overcome by the devastating and disastrous Dust Bowl. The Dust Bowl, also known as the dirty thirties, was a time in which immense dust storms covered the American and Canadian Prairie lands, forcing American farmers to abandon everything they knew and travel to a place of mystery in hopes of finding true opportunity. Throughout his novel, Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck uses the character of Tom Joad to embody the complete mindset of the migrant farmers as well as to exemplify the importance of family and the idea of over soul during this time period. Steinbeck powerfully illustrates Toms mentality during his familys journey to California to start fresh, by displaying the significance of family within his life, the anger and struggle he had to endure, and the effects that losing his dear friend Jim Casy had on him. Throughout the novel, Tom grows closer and closer to his old towns preacher, Jim Casy. As they both journey together on the harsh road to California, Tom begins to gain respect for Casy and think of him as family. While they are staying at a Hooverville, a fight breaks out due to the argument of a good contract and fair wages for workers. A

2 Parendo policeman begins to shoot into the crowd, so Tom trips him and then Casy knocks him unconscious. Knowing that someone is going to have to be held responsible for the act and that Tom will be arrested for breaking parole if hes caught, Casy volunteers saying, somebody got to take the blame. I got no kids....Go on now. You get outa this (266). This is the ultimate sacrifice for Tom and truly shows the bond of family that was in place between Tom and Casy. Later, when Tom and his family are at the government camp, Tom runs into Casy again, finding out that he now organizes migrant farmers. While they are talking, they are approached by two police officers who accuse Casy of being communist. Casy tries to explain that he is only trying to help starving families, but the policeman doesnt believe him, so he swings his pick handle at him, crushing his skull. The heavy club crashed into the side of his head with a dull crunch of bone (386). In witnessing this, Tom is overcome by such anger that he flies into a rage and attacks the man who had brutally murdered Casy. the second time his crushing blow found the head and they heavy man sank down, three more blows found his head (386). Toms violent act illustrated the blinding emotion of anger that he experience after Casy was murdered in front of him. The effects that Casys death had on Tom were life changing for him. After Tom had told his family about what had taken place, he explained to them that he had decided to unify his soul with the great soul by working to organize workers, just like Casy would have wanted. Tom

3 Parendo takes over Casys place as the martyr for the cause of workers unions by finally accepting his idea of over soul, that everyone one is part of the Holy Spirit. Overall, Tom is completely changed by the loss of Casy and dedicates his life to avenge his murder by following in his footsteps. Steinbeck uses the themes of family, over soul, and criminality to efficiently expose the mindset of the migrant farmers during the Dust Bowl. Family plays an enormous part throughout the entire novel. For example, when Tom is forced to witness the murder of Jim Casy, he instinctively acts out by attacking the man who killed Casy. I hope I killed the bastard (391). Toms actions of protection show the importance and necessity that family had during this time period. Another theme that Steinbeck uses to show the growth of Tom is Casys idea of over soul. Early on in the novel, Casy shares his idea that everyone is a part of the same soul, the Holy Spirit. At first Tom doesnt think much of this, but after Casys murder, Tom adapts this idea as his own. Ill be everwhere wherever you look. Wherever theys a fight so hungry people can eat, Ill be there. Wherever theya a cop beatin up a guy, Ill be there. If Casy knowed, why, Ill be in the way guys yell when theyre mad an Ill be in the way kids laugh when theyre hungry an they know suppers ready. An when our folks eat the stuff they raise an live in the houses they build why, Ill be there (419). He explains his new mentality to his family and leaves them, in order to live out Casys cause, to which Ma replies, An, Tom, later when its blowed over,

4 Parendo youll come back. Youll find us? (420). The final theme that Steinbeck uses to depict the effect Casy had on Tom is criminality. Over the course of the novel, Tom is aware of the fact that he is on parole for murder and is reminded of his limitations because of this. However, because of the sense of family that he had towards Casy and his new found desire to carry out the idea of over soul, Tom disregards the validity and the value of the law. He didnt duck quick enough. He wasn doing nothin against the law (419). In general, the themes of over soul, criminality, and family play a significant part in further explaining the outlook that affected thousands of people during the Dust Bowl. (Didnt have enough time for conclusion)

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