The Grapes of Wrath, Al

15. Al was funny to me in this book. He was always “tom cattin around” as they said in the book. Al was always looking for girls, and when he found them you would not see him for some time. When Pa was looking for a car to go to California in, Al was the one who helped him pick it out. He checked the engine, and the rest of the car. Al knew which car models were good and reliable. Al was a big help to the family when they left. He had learned a lot about cars and was able to drive the truck along with Tom. When the Wilson car broke down he and Tom were the ones who were able fix it. It seemed like Al was always trying to leave the family and do what he wanted. Ma and Tom made him stay several times because they knew he would be better off with the rest of the family. When the Joad family got to California, Al wanted to find a job at a garage. I do not think he realized how hard it was going to be for him to find a good, well paying job. Once he found it I do not think he would be hired because he did not know that much about cars, and a garage would want someone with a lot of experience. They would not want someone they would have to teach. When Al went to the government camp with the rest of his family, he could not find a job the entire time he was there. However he did find a girl and he promised he would marry her. When the Joad family left the camp the girl was upset with him, but he promised he would be back. Once they found work at the cotton fields he had found Aggie, and he had promised to marry her. I find it comical the he promised to marry both girls, but Al seems more devoted to Aggie. I think he finally realized the commitment he was making and he knew he had to stick to it. Through the book the reader can see Al maturing. At the end of the book, Al stays with Aggie instead of going with the rest of his family.