Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

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and seems to be
concerned only for himself. He wakes each morning only wanting work for
money and food for his stomach. But throughout the novel Tom learns many
lessons, especially of those by Jim Casy, his old preacher-friend. Jim Casy,
a man representative of Jesus Christ in both his initials "J.C." and in his
beliefs. The preacher is the one character that throughout the novel always
knows what he must do: to help those less fortunate fight in anyway
possible in order to get what they deserve. Tragically, Jim Casy is killed
by a police officer while trying to protect Tom. From this incident, Tom
Joad learns that he must lead the crusade that Jim had died for. In this
movement of Tom's, he finally understands what it means too help someone
other than himself.
Another key player in the novel is Ma Joad. A strong woman and the
true leader of the Joad family she, too, has her faults. Though she does
not care so much for her own well-being, she in turn performs selfish acts
for ...

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selfish
nature and walks out on his wife and un-born child. This only adds to Rose
of Sharon's long list of complaints. She causes all the members of the
family to become quite annoyed with her, for on many occasions she is said
to be whining constantly. But Rose of Sharon is not a complete
disappointment. Towards the finale of the novel, Sharon gives birth-- but
to a still-born and shriveled baby boy. This catastrophe is due to Sharon's
malnutrition. But in the very conclusion of the novel, the Joads arrive
upon a near-dead man lying in a barn. It is apparent that he will die
without aide. Then, without any goading from bystanders, Rose of Sharon
lies next to the man and reveals her ...

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