Chapters 27-30: The Ghost of Tom Joad

Tom does not actually mean he will be there. He is saying that his believes and desires will carry on even after he dies. Tom is fighting for change. The change he is fighting for will happen, even if is not the one carrying it out. All he wants is for his legacy to be one that let’s everyone else have better lives. He is fighting for the poor and defeated. He knows he can’t do it alone. He is one of many and the many is weak, but all they need to be strong is a leader. Tom does not need to be this leader. He just wants the people to join forces, because right now the current living situation is unacceptable. In order to make not just one person’s life better, but many lives better the people need to stop fighting as individuals. Instead they must learn to put their own personal problems aside and think of the big picture.

All that is needed is a few of the stronger people in the society step up and fight for the big picture the rest will follow. They need to be leaders. When they start fighting the rich, others will sit back and watch. There only has to be one victory or a sign of hope and every the rich have made will crumble. The poor do not like their current situation, so this sign will unite the working force. Making it a more powerful group then the owners could stop.

Today the rich are still trying to stay on top and keeping the poor on the bottom. They keep what they have, while they give the poor just enough to get by in life. The poor do not riot, because without the rich they would not live. The game that is being played can turn out bad. If the people unite and revolt just like Tom Joad tried to do everything will change.