Tom Joad In John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

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Tom Joad is a male with a disregard towards legal constructs, “....But if I don’t do no crimes, they won’t give a damn… Be jus’ the same if I wasn’t on parole…’On’y if I get caught I get a bigger jolt’n other folks. Now you quit a-worryin’...” (Steinbeck 133-134) Tom acknowledges how the legal system is set up, but prefers to conduct his actions in his own fashion. Tom was disclosed that he may not leave the boundaries of the state of Oklahoma during the next three years of his parole or will face reincarceration; however, it is Tom’s preference to ignore the citation and continue to pack for California. Although there may be consequences, Tom admits he will face them, but he may also escape his legal responsibilities if he tries his best to have a clean …show more content…
Then, while addressing his future motives in life, “Well, maybe like Casy says, a fella ain’t got a soul of his own...Wherever they’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there...God, I’m talkin’ like Casy. Comes of thinkin’ about him so much. Seems like I can see him sometimes.” (Steinbeck 419) Tom comes to terms with how much of an influence Casy was on his social development. Tom no longer sees himself as an individual man against the system, but rather a man who should grasp others who are being socially suppressed and do not have a voice. Although the law may state otherwise, Tom knows that misconduct of human beings is moral injustice and feels that his friend would approve of his decision to stand up against such corrupt actions. Overall, Tom Joad is a rather compassionate character deep within, it just took several tragic events to lead him to combine all traits to transpire such revolutionary

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