The Conflict of Values

Traces the tension between individualism and collectivism, as the Joads learn that survival depends on solidarity.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Individualist Past

The Old Way The Independent Farmer The Joads were independent farmers. They owned their land (or thought they did). They valued self-reliance. The family was the unit. The Shock The eviction shatters their individualism. They cannot survive alone. They must rely on others. The Resistance Grampa Joad refuses to leave. He is an individualist to the end. But he dies. The old values are obsolete.

The Collective Lesson

The New Way The Wilson Family The Joads help the Wilsons, and the Wilsons help them. They learn mutual aid. They share food and shelter. The Weedpatch Camp At the government camp, the migrants govern themselves. They work together. The community is strong. The Strike Tom Joad learns from Casy that collective action is necessary. He joins the struggle. The conflict between individualism and collectivism is resolved in favor of the group.

Tom's Final Speech

The Synthesis The Vision Tom tells Ma he will be everywhere there is a fight. He has become part of a larger whole. His individual identity merges with the collective. The Quotation He quotes Ecclesiastes: "Two are better than one." The individual is weak alone. Together, they are strong. The Resolution The conflict of values is resolved. The Joads have learned that survival depends on solidarity. The novel's message is collective.

early in the story

throughout the journey

near the end