Grapes of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath takes place during Americas Great Depression which lasted from the Stock Market Crash of October 1929 until World War II began 12 years later. During this time a long period of drought and high winds affected large parts of the American Midwest including much of the state of Oklahoma creating what was called the Dust Bowl. Many of the people in the lower Midwest moved elsewhere hoping to find fertile land on which to make a living. Tom Joad is the protagonist or main character of The Grapes of Wrath. Tom is the books hero as well despite the fact that Tom attacks a policeman at one point in the novel and beats a man at another point becoming a cave-dwelling fugitive as a result. Toms actions although illegal according to the letter of the law are morally just.