Tom Joad: A Hero In The Grapes Of Wrath

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The word “hero” originated sometime in the early 16th century, but it’s safe to say that heroes have been around since long before then. The idea of a hero really took off when Hollywood came around and heroes were put more and more into movies. But it soon became apparent that heroes could come from anywhere, including during the Great Depression when people would step up and do things for the greater good and for their families. It was during the Great Depression that John Steinbeck set The Grapes of Wrath. Tom Joad is a hero in Grapes of Wrath because of how many people trusted him and how devoted he was to them, along with his willingness to put others before himself. One of the many reasons Tom Joad is a hero in The Grapes of Wrath is how devoted he is to his family and wanting to work and …show more content…
I feel that this quote really highlights Tom’s drive to help others, as well as how selfless he is. Another reigning hero quality of Tom Joad is the fact that he’s the centerpiece of his family, and lots of people rely on him. When Tom tells his mom that he’s leaving the family to go help the world, she replies “An’, Tom, later—when it’s blown over, you’ll come back. You’ll find us?” (Steinbeck 420). This exemplifies how much Tom’s family relies on him and how cared for he is. This is an important trait to have because it shows people’s trust in him and how he has a good reputation with his family and friends. People’s reliance on Tom is shown at other points in the text as well, like when Tom is left behind with Al and Jim Casy to fix the car, and they go to the junkyard to find parts, and Tom takes the lead, organizing everything, but then steps back when it’s time to put the parts in and help when need be. This shows Tom’s consideration of other people’s roles as well. In the fictional universe of Star Wars, all of these hero traits that Tom Joad has and more are crucial to the main
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