Chapters 1-2: Meeting Tom Joad

This first meeting of Tom Joad and the truck driver truly displays the attitude and demeanor of Tom Joad.  This first encounter shows that Tom Joad is a very self-confident and sure of himself.  He is good with his words and able to persuade others in to seeing things his way.  This introduction clearly shows all of these character traits.  Joad uses his sly words in order to catch a ride with the truck driver who is blatantly breaking his company rules by doing so.  Joad's smooth speech puts the truck driver in a spot in which he would prefer not to be.  The truck driver has the choice to say no to Joad and ensure that his job will not be at risk, or he has the option of giving Joad a ride, risking his job, and "being a good guy".  The truck driver makes a significant choice in choosing to give Joad a ride.  The truck driver's action shows that even though times are tough economically, people are willing to risk their source of income to be viewed as a "good guy".  The driver realizes that just because some rich man tells him to not allow riders on his truck, he is not willing to sacrifice his moral standards of helping out a man in need.  This choice also shows that the poor class shares a certain connection of sticking it to the man.  They stand together with each other to prove that no matter what the rich people tell them to do; they will support each other and aid each other in any way possible.