He adopts this philosophy toward living not because he is selfish but as a means of coping: he fears that by putting his life in a context larger than the present day, he will drive himself mad with anger and helplessness. Characters Tom Joad. At most, the reader may think that he is the antagonist of the book because of the fact that he had killed a man. Tag: Tom Joad Self-Pitying and Selfish. At he beginning of the novel, Tom is introduced as a former fugitive now on parole. In John Steinbeck?s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, set in the dustbowl era, people act out of greed rather than out of consideration or kindness. Tom Joad. At he beginning of the novel, Tom is introduced as a former fugitive now on parole. The bank is not a human thing, and it's out of control. At the beginning of the novel, Tom is introduced as a former fugitive now on parole. Tom Joad shows that he is a selfish person at the very beginning of the book. The Metamorphosis of Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath Tom Joad from Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath is a prime example of a person whose morals and spiritual growth cannot be restricted by the law or any other limiting factor for long. At the beginning of the novel, Tom is introduced as a former fugitive now on parole. Characters Tom Joad Tom begins the novel in possession of a practical sort of self-interest. As the novel progresses, Tom transforms from this selfish nature to become a caring person. Each character has a unique personality that essentially develops into new qualities and attributes. At most, the reader may think that he is the antagonist of the book because of the fact that he had killed a man. Several examples of this transformation are seen throughout various chapters. At the beginning of the novel, he has just been paroled after serving a four-year prison sentence for killing a man in self-defense. Tom is introduced as selfish from the very moment he is described. “Tom said nervously, ‘Look Al. Tom Joad. Tom Joad shows that he is a selfish person at the very beginning of the book. Tom is very principled, and injustice enrages … Character Analysis Tom Joad While many have long believed that Jim Casy embodied Steinbeck's main philosophical beliefs, Tom Joad, completely flawed and human, is the novel's main character. There's no doubt that Tom doesn't take any BS. If it is not a human thing, then it can't possibly understand humans. The Character of Tom Joad In the novel The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck delves deep into each character thoroughly. The future, which seems illusory and out of reach, does not concern him. ... A less charitable way of describing how they feel is to call them self-pitying and selfish. Tom is the character who shows the most development, experiencing what Peter Lisca calls an "education of the heart." The monster has power over the people who built it. Tom Joad is one of the central characters in ''The Grapes of Wrath'' and goes through important transitions during the book. Tom Joad's Early Goals At the beginning, Tom Joad is a kind man, but he gets angry quickly and is very selfish. At most, the reader may think that he is the antagonist of the book because of the fact that he had killed a man. We've already established that Tom Joad is not the kind of guy we'd want to mess with. Tom is introduced as selfish from the very moment he is described. And yet, if we were met with desperate circumstances and had to make an epic road trip across America in a broken-down, used car with all of our earthly possessions in tow, we'd absolutely want Tom Joad on our team. The Selfishness of Man Cultural and economical pressures often lead people to behave corruptly. Throughout the book, Steinbeck uses intricate descriptions in order to depict the development and subtleties of each character. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. He is strong, stoic, principled, and observant; during the trip to California, the Joad family comes to rely on Tom for precisely these qualities. Tom is introduced as selfish from the very moment he is described. Tom is introduced as selfish from the very moment he is described. For if they fall, the one will lif’ up his gellow, but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, for he hath not anthoer to help him up…Again, if two lie together then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? At most, the reader may think that he is the antagonist of the book because of the fact that he had killed a man. Tom Joad shows that he is a selfish person at the very beginning of the book. Tom Joad shows that he is a selfish person at the very beginning of the book. When the Joads are traveling west to California with the Wilson’s, Tom offers to help them when their car breaks down. Four years in prison, he claims, have molded him into someone who devotes his time and energies to the present moment. Tom Joad is the protagonist of the novel and the narrative action chronicles his development from a self-absorbed egoism to a concern about humanity at large.