The Dust Bowl era of the 1930s caused a large group of migrant families to move west to California due to poor conditions difficulties they faced in their previous residences. This move caused problems not only for families but also for individuals who were forced to face their own problems on the migration route. The book, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, depicts the personal struggles of the migrant worker through the characters of Tom, Casy and Ma. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay The character of Tom Joad has one of the most interesting backgrounds of the other characters, leading to a greater change in his personality by the end of the book. At the beginning of the novel, we are introduced to Tom and his egocentric personality. Tom says his four years in prison taught him that you have to seize the opportunity because the future is not certain. However, by the end of the book, he trades this mentality for a more forward-looking idea. On his journey west, Tom faces hostility and hardships that make prison easy. Tom must watch Grandpa and Grandma lose their lives, he must watch his family starve and beg for work once they arrive in California, and many other things test his resolve. These challenges convert Tom to Jim Casy's teachings that one person cannot change the world, it takes family. This change saves Tom from becoming the many selfish migrants they have encountered who would happily take a piece of bread even if it meant taking it from another family. In conclusion, Tom's biggest struggle was learning that if his family wanted to survive, they would have to focus more on the future. Unfortunately, it took the deaths of two family members for him to realize this. Jim Casy's next character is quite an intriguing character as he appears to take on the role of Jesus Christ, with whom he shares his initials. Jim Casy suggests, “…Maybe it’s all the men and women we love; maybe that's the Holy Spirit - the human spirit - the whole thing. Perhaps all men have a great soul of which the whole body is a part. This is a pretty interesting comment coming from a former preacher given that he suggests that there is no true god. Casy's main struggle was not really his problem, but he made it his problem, namely all the suffering of migrant workers. On his journey west, Jim Casy took note not only of the hardships his family faced, but of all migrant families. He wants more than anything to end this suffering but doesn't know how to use his talents as a speaker and spiritual healer to help him as the journey begins. However, by the end of the journey, Casy is so determined to save the suffering workers that he is willing to risk his life for what he believes in and begins using his skills to organize the migrant workers. Overall, Jim Casy is extremely important in The Grapes of Wrath because he is able to help not only himself overcome struggles, but also Tom and other migrant workers. Another important character is Ma Joad who appears as the glue of the family that holds them together. together throughout the book as Pa Joad begins to become less of a leader. Ma is not only fighting her own personal struggles, but those of the entire family. Regardless of this, Ma faces all the.