Chapters 1-2: Meeting Tom Joad

The truck driver, when he gives Tom Joad shows that he is not willing to submit to the will of ‘the man’. Tom Joad was able to persuade the truck driver into giving him the ride even though there was a sign that said that there are No Riders. Tom Joad persuaded him through his ability to create guilt in the drivers mind and thereby show that the truck driver would only be a good person if he gave a poor man a ride. Tom creates a scenario that shows the truck driver that the rich just prey upon the poor and weak people of society and that they take advantage of those people through all of their rules that they have.  Through Tom’s ability to do this he shows the truck driver most rich people are arrogant, self-centered, power hungry snobs. Though the truck driver was under the idea of his superiors he still felt sympathy for Tom and decided that he would be a rebel with tom by imposing the option to give Tom a ride in his truck with him.  Tom was able to use the one part of a human that is there for most every person, the ability to care for one another. By doing so the truck driver was willing to grant Tom the ride to his home. This all shows that the driver was a caring individual and understanding person. Tom then got his ride to his destination from his ingenuity and need to get home after his release from jail.