Last Post

This will likely be my last post, so I'll try to keep it short and not bring up a dozen new topics at the last minute.

In regards to Sam's recent comments, I have to say that I hadn't connected Tom's plain speaking manner to T.O.. I don't however think that Tom necessarily says what everyone is thinking, but does in fact say what is beneficial to others, and therefore to the greater good. For example, Tom, like the rest of the Joad family never tells Rose of Sharon that Connie has left her. This is likely because, given the difficulties the Joad family was having, this truth was simply unnecessary and would not have helped anyone. When the truth has the ability to directly help someone, and in turn help the health of the oversoul, Tom tells the truth when others might not (as with the one-eyed man). I do also belive that Tom is one of the greatest examples of the strength of T.O.. Most everything he does within the scope of the novel is motivated by a desire to ameliorate the greater good of a group. This first applies to the Joad family, and when he can no longer help them, he leaves to aid others in need ( the whole "wherever there's a..." speech).

Even though it's rather obvious, I'll also mention the fact that Rose of Sharon becomes an individual who is greatly representative of T.O.. I am of course referring to the final act of the novel in which she breast feeds the starving man. this is truly an example of selflessness and devotion to humanity.

Kevin also seems to have hit on an excellent point in saying that suffering has a great potential to unite humanity. After all, those individuals in Grapes of Wrath who often seem to work against the concept of T.O. are those who are rich and complacent, such as the owners of the fruit farms. These individuals likely never knew any strife, and therefore cannot comprehend the situation of the less fortunate, or why they should feel compassion for them. in a social context, this is probably one of the novel's greatest messages.

Well, that's it. It's a shame we didn't have the time to more fully explore the idea of T.O. in Grapes, but I do think that we hit on many good ideas in our discussion.