The Journey from 'I' to 'We'

Traces the development of collective consciousness among the migrants, from individual suffering to shared struggle.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Individual Loss

The Isolation The Eviction The Joads lose their land. They feel alone. They are one family among many. The loss is personal. The Journey Each family travels alone. They are isolated on the road. The sense of community is weak. The First Connection The Joads meet the Wilsons. They share food. The first step from 'I' to 'we' is taken.

The Camp Community

The Collective The Self-Government At the Weedpatch camp, the migrants govern themselves. They make rules together. The community is a 'we'. The Shared Joy The dance is a collective celebration. The community defends itself. The sense of belonging grows. The Lesson The Joads learn that together they are strong. The 'we' is more powerful than the 'I'.

The Strike and Beyond

The Solidarity The Strike The peach pickers strike together. They are a collective. Even though the strike fails, the idea of unity is planted. Tom's Transformation Tom Joad becomes part of the 'we'. He will fight for all people. His individual identity merges with the collective. The Final Act Rose of Sharon's gift is an act of universal love. It transcends the family. The 'we' has become all humanity.

early in the story

at the Weedpatch camp

at the Hooper ranch and after