A turning point comes in the Grapes of Wrath in Chapter 28 with the death of Jim Casey. Tom Joad says "Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever they’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there. If Casy knowed, why, I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad an’—I’ll be in the way kids laugh when they’re hungry n’ they know supper’s ready. An’ when our folks eat the stuff they raise an’ live in the houses they build—why, I’ll be there. See? God, I’m talkin’ like Casy.(Steinbeck434). Comes of thinkin’ about him so much. Seems like I can see him sometimes." When Jim Casey dies it basically completes Tom Joad transforming into a mature adult. He is now ready to take responsibility for his actions and wants to make a good future for his self and is willing to act how he needs to. Throughout the whole entire book, Jim Casy is basically the symbol and acts as a voice for the author to convey his morals. Ma Joad is fearful about how Tom Joad will respond to the death of his dear friend. With this quote he makes his mom feel much better. Tom comes to terms with that he may not survive now after seeing that someone who has shown so much guidence to him is suddenly just gone, but he accepts that everybody comes to a time when it is their time to go. Whether Tom Joad lives or dies his message and spirit will still carry on.
When Tom comes to this turning point in his life after the death of his friend and he makes this statement. It made me gain a lot more respect for Tom. It showed he was willing to fight to live, but knows it was meant to happen if he dies. I really like Tom after he makes this statement and comes to this realization.
Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 2006. Print.
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