Tom Joad - The novel's main protagonist, one of and sons. Tom killed a man in self-defense and served four years in the McAlester State Penitentiary. As the novel begins, Tom has just been released and returns to the Joad farm largely unaware of the Dust Bowl tragedy unfolding around him. As the novel progresses, thanks in part to the influence of, Tom will emerge as a man of great moral integrity, and he will …showed first 75 words of 454 total…

…showed last 75 words of 454 total…do not love him as much as they love the other children. Uncle John - uncle, who, years ago, refused to fetch a doctor for his wife when she complained of stomach pains, insisting that she had merely eaten too much. When his wife died, John became eccentric and sad. He now gives candy to every child he sees. Ruthie and Winfield Joad - The youngest Joad children. Ruthie is twelve and Winfield is ten.