The Effects of Hostility on the Joad Family
Through his most famous novel, The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck depicts the hardships of Oklahoma farmers during the Great Depression. Steinbeck uses the Joad family as an illustration of the average migrant family of 1939. Many events take place during the novel, causing certain characters to change. As a result of some of the cruel events, Ma gains strength, while the attitudes of Tom and Rose of Sharon change. Steinbeck uses many events of harsh treatment towards the Joads to portray the reality of this time period. Although the Joad family does not deserve this hostility, they must work their way through these difficult times. The greedy brokers who buy the Joad's belongings before they travel to California are an example of the unkindness shown to the Joads. These brokers, knowing the banks forced the farmers to sell their belongings, pay extremely low prices for their personal possessions. Unkindness prevails when the Joads encounter the gas station attendant. Assuming the Joads can not afford to pay for their gas, the attendant treats the Joads as if they are thieves. After the Joads arrive at the "Hooverville," a work con
Troublemakers-they'll get you in trouble" (339). Talking to Tom, Al states, "She [Ma] mourned when you was gone. Rose of Sharon, Ma's daughter, also changes during the novel. Tom thinks of no one but himself, causing the appearance of arrogance and conceit. He does not anticipate the future or recall the past. Only after Casy's death does Tom's self-absorbed image revolutionize. Throughout the novel, Ma's character attains a higher level of strength. Though wrath is prevalent throughout much of the novel, Steinbeck incorporates optimism through the changing characters. Steinbeck, through The Grapes of Wrath, reveals how a time of suffering and depression can fabricate stronger, more compassionate people. Ma begins the novel as a strong woman and becomes even stronger. During Tom's incarceration, Ma silently mourns Tom's absence for fear she might let the family "break" if she cries publicly. Tom's attitude also changes throughout the novel. When a man asks a question about the job, the contractor and policeman try to arrest him and start a fight.
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