The Grapes Of Wrath - Beyond the Line

How does Tom Joad represent all inmates after their release?

Tom Joad was arrested for homicide. After getting into a fight, he was stabbed, and as a form of self-defense, killed the man. He was sentenced to seven years in prison but was let out in four for good behavior. He was let out back into the world. He needed to find a job and home. After living off the government, he needed to work.

After living in prison for four years, Tom Joad had to return to a family and a life outside of prison walls. Like many other inmates, Joad might have found it hard to adjust. Prison is a much different living condition than the average home.

Imagine being fed, clothed, and sheltered, then you were thrust into the real world and had to work for this. Tom Joad needed to find work to be able to survive. He could not live without some sort of job to support himself.

Joad did not own a home to go to when he was released. He needed to live with his father. Many inmates move in with their family because they usually do not have their own home.

Inmates slip back into society, and become members of a working society. They rebuild their lives, starting at the very basics. They need to find a home and job. All ex-inmates blend back in with society.