Tom Joad's Character Development In The Grapes Of Wrath

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“The Grapes of Wrath” is widely regarded as the best piece of American literature. The book is so famous because of its switch from third to first person and its shocking recount of the Great Depression. For the most part, the book follows Tom Joad and his development as a character. Over the course of the book, Tom develops from an inconsiderate and boorish person to an unselfish and noble one. In chapter two, Steinbeck portrays Tom as self-centered and rude. In chapter two, a truck driver gives Tom a ride, which puts his job in jeopardy since his company has a no riders policy. When the driver asks Tom if he’s going far, Tom replies, “Uh-uh! I’d a walked her if my dogs wasn’t pooped out.” Essentially, what Tom is saying is that he could’ve easily rested and walked later but he chose the much more selfish option; to let the truck driver risk his job so he could get to his destination a little faster.…show more content…
Tom then responds by saying “Must be tough.” This brief remark shows that Tom was not listening to the truck driver. On top of the fact, that it’s impolite not to pay attention to a person who is talking to one, this is especially rude and inconsiderate since the truck driver was risking his job for Tom. The apogee of Tom’s rudeness to the truck driver takes place when Tom teases the truck driver with whisky. Once in the truck with Tom, the truck driver starts talking about ways that other drivers pass their time. The truck driver says, “A few take a pint along, but them kind don’t stick long. I don’t never take a drink till I'm through.” Tom then replies in a teasing manner, “Sure you won’t have a snort?” Tempting the truck driver is extremely rude, especially since the truck driver is doing Tom a
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