Man vs. Man

Chronicles the conflicts between the migrants and the authorities, vigilantes, and exploiters who oppress them.

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The Deputy at Needles

The Harassment The Threat At Needles, a deputy sheriff threatens to run the Joads out of town. He calls them Okies. Ma Joad nearly attacks him with a skillet. The conflict is direct. The Power The deputy represents the law, but it is a law that oppresses. He has a gun and a badge. The migrants are powerless against him. The Resentment The Joads feel the sting of hatred. They are unwanted. This encounter foreshadows more violence to come.

The Vigilante Attack

The Burning The Night Raid After the fight at the Hooverville, vigilantes burn the camp. The Joads escape just in time. The attack is meant to terrorize the migrants. The Roadblock The Joads are stopped by armed men who force them to turn north. Tom Joad is humiliated. The vigilantes have the power of violence. The Aftermath The family is forced to move. The camp is destroyed. The conflict escalates. The migrants are treated as enemies.

The Killing of Casy

The Murder The Attack Vigilantes attack the strikers' camp. Jim Casy is killed with a pick handle. The violence is brutal and direct. Tom's Revenge Tom Joad kills the vigilante. He becomes a fugitive. The cycle of violence continues. The Meaning The killing of Casy is a turning point. It radicalizes Tom. The conflict between the haves and have-nots becomes personal.

at the Colorado River

at the Hooverville

at the Hooper ranch strike