Tom Joad

Tom Joad

“Then it don’ matter. Then I’ll be all aroun’ in the dark. I’ll be ever’where- wherever you look. Wherever they’s a fight so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there. Wherever they’s a cop beatin’ up a guy, I’ll be there. If Casy knowed, why, I’ll be in the way guys yell when they’re mad an’- I’ll be in the way kids laugh when they’re hungry an’ they know supper’s ready. An’ when our folks eat the stuff they raise an’ live in the houses they build- why, I’ll be there. See? God, I’m talkin’ like Casy. Comes of thinkin’ about him so much. Seems like I can see him sometimes.” — Tom Joad, John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath

Tom Joad is a fictional character from John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. In fact, he is the protagonist of the book and film. Henry Fonda portrayed the character in John Ford's film adaptation. For this, he occupies Slot #12 on the "Heroes" list of AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains.