Essay Database

Type of Work: Social / political criticism Setting Oklahoma and California; 1930s Principal Characters Tod Joad, a recent parolee in his mid-twenties Ma and Pa Joad, a strong, middle-aged Oklahoma couple Noah Joad, their strange eldest son Al, their wild sixteen-year-old Rose of Sharon, eldest Joad daughter, married and pregnant Gramma and Grampa Joad, an earthy old couple Jim Casy, a preacher and, later, a labor agitator Other Joad children Story Overview As Tom Joad hitchhiked …

…can be argued that even through all of the appallingly harsh events the load family endures, the book promotes optimism; a "milk-of-human-kindness" theme; a journey from "drought and despair" that ends in "water and hope." Though capricious nature - and human nature can not always be depended upon to alleviate human misery, Rose's act of mercy symbolizes the need for all of us to develop within ourselves a genuine responsibility and compassion for each other.