Independent Reading Grapes of Wrath 2

Tom is one of the main characters in the novel “Grapes of Wrath” written by John Steinbeck.  I found Tom to be the most interesting yet mysterious character in the book.  In the beginning, Tom’s actions are of no surprise and a lot like what you’d expect someone who was just released from prison like, however, as the story continues, Tom constantly surprises the reader with is actions.  The story begins when Tom is released from prison and comes home to his families farm only to find out that his family has left the farm behind for their journey to California in seek of jobs during the Great Depression when the crops were all dying from the lack of rain and no one had money.  One of Toms first encounters was with a truck driver.  The truck has a sign that says “no hitchhikers.”  Tom responds “sure—I seen it. But sometimes a guy'll be a good guy even if some rich bastard makes him carry a sticker.”  This quote shows Tom’s intelligence and his attitude.  This is something you’d expect from someone that has just been released from prison.  He is the stereotypical hard guy coming from prison.  Soon you start to see another side of Tom.  Tom also has a soft side and is a family man.  He does what he can to help his family and takes the role as a leader.  You see one of Tom’s first acts of leadership and handiness when the truck breaks down.  “’Well, we got to tear the pan off an’ get the rod out, an’ we got to get a new part an’ hone her an’ shim her an’ fit her.  Good days job.”  Tom is the type of person anyone would want when going on a trip like this.  He is extremely handy and the family would not be able to make the trip without Tom.  He is very protective of his family and leads them the way.  Tom becomes good friends with a former preacher and takes on many of his values and philosophies.  When the preacher is killed, Tom retaliates and kills a police officer.  Tom’s violence has been fairly mild until this point.  After Tom has already been safe and run away, Tom decides to return and once again put himself at risk to organize the migrant workers, what the preacher was doing before he got killed for it.  I wouldn’t say Tom developed immensely as a character through the story but more during the time he spent in prison.  Tom seems to have always been a leader, but the time in prison and meeting the former preacher, has made Tom more protective of his family and wanting to do good for other people.