Throughout the Novel, The Grapes Of Wrath by John Steinbeck, the main character of Tom Joad is viewed as many different things by the reader. In the beginning, he is seen as a somewhat mysterious and maybe even dangerous character being that he was just released from prison. However, as the novel progresses and Tom Joad becomes a much more loving and caring person, the reader sees Tom as an evolved and much more likeable character. Through out his many caring actions and loving deeds, Tom Joad becomes a symbol of the Biblical theme of growth in the novel. Tom also develops the idea that the continuation of life requires rebirth and that all people have the potential for rebirth in The Grapes Of Wrath.
In the beginning of the novel, Tom Joad has just been released from prison. Tom makes a journey back to his father's farm in Oklahoma, where he finds a deserted wasteland. In these first chapters of the novel, Tom Joad is a very selfish and individualistic character, even though the reader can obviously see that he has a strong bond and love for his family. At the stage he is at in the first part of the novel, Tom is only concerned with his own wants and desires. These attributes of Tom Joad can be seen through his interactions with some of his family members and some of the other families he comes in contact with along their trek to California, and with his negative attitude and character. However, towards the end of this journey, the reader sees a different, more caring side of Tom. Tom evolves to become a better character towards the end of the truck trip across America. Tom's interactions with his good friend Jim Casy are the main reason for this change in the protagonist of the novel. As Tom and Jim become closer friends, Tom begins to listen to Jim's theories of love and unity. In the beginning, Tom does not show any sympathy with Casy's idea of one big soul, however at the end of the drive, he seems to understand it more.