The Grapes of Wrath, Tom

10. Tom was an interesting character in The Grapes of Wrath. He had just gotten out of prison on parole when the reader is introduced to him. It is interesting to see him adjust to the new culture after being in prison for four years. When he meets Casy under the tree he never suspected that he would have to leave his home. I do not think that Casy knew anything was going on either. Casy had been away for a while so he knew little of what was going on. It was a big shock for Tom when he realized that no one lived in his house anymore. I can not imagine what it would be like to come home and have nothing there, no family, no possessions. I think it was a comfort to him to have Casy there with him though. He must have wondered what had happened to his family. He may have been worried. It was probably a big relief when Muley told him that his family was safe at his Uncle Johns house. It must have been like a weight lifted off his chest when he was reunited with his family after being gone for four years. While they were traveling Tom was a good help to his family. He knew how to fix the truck and drive it, so he could trade on and off with Al. He always did his best to not cause any trouble. In the back of his mind I bet there was always the thought that he would get sent back to prison for breaking parole. He felt like if he was sent back he would be letting his family down. When they arrived in California he was the first one to find work to provide for his family. He was also the first one to be troubled by the way the workers were being treated. This was not good because he did not want to get in trouble, and let his family down.