Chapter 24

As the Joad family finally begins to settle down in the camp and feels secure, the family starts to change. Ma and young Tom Joad take on more responsibility as the trip continues. Pa and John each have troubles in finding a job, and feel the hardship of failure. Rose of Sharon becomes more self-conscious and worries more and more for the baby inside of her. The family members come together in their time of need to help each other stand strong.

Ma takes up more responsibility as she enters the camp. Usually, she gathers strength from her husband, old Tom Joad, but as she becomes more familiar with the camp and her surroundings, she takes the lead in the family. She talks to the Ladies' Committee in order to be of more help to the camp. Ma especially takes up the responsibility of taking care of Rose of Sharon. "Ma wiped her hands on the dish towel and she squatted down in front of her daughter, and she put her two hands on Rose of Sharon's hair. 'You're a good girl,' she said. 'You always was a good girl. I'll take care a you. Don't you fret.' She put an interest in her tone. 'Know what you an' me's gonna do? We're a-goin' to that dance, an' we're a-gonna set there an' watch. If anybody says to come dance--why, I'll say you ain't strong enough. I'll say you're poorly. An' you can hear the music an' all like that.'"

Tom also becomes a dynamic character, because throughout the trip, he changes his attitude towards the whole situation. Earlier in the book, he mainly looks from day to day, watching out for himself, but as the trip starts and keeps on going, he takes more responsibility, driving the truck, fixing the truck, going out for work. When he enters the camp, he signs in his family letting them sleep. Then he helps out with the camp. "'Ain't you goin' to the dance?' Ma asked. 'Sure,' said Tom. 'I'm on committee. Were gonna entertain some fellas.' 'Already on a committee?' Ma said. 'I guess it's 'cause you got work.'"

Pa and John have hope for their family and a new life at the beginning of the trip, but as they enter California and the government camp, they start to doubt and wonder about the futures of their family. The find work and take it, but they are still nervous on the outcome of it all. Rose of Sharon is also scared about the future. Ever since Connie left, she has been doubtful, scared, and stressed. Her calm and controlled self presented at the beginning of the book has been pushed away by a new stressful and worried self. Steinbeck shows more of each member of the Joad family's personality. One sees how the trip to California has affected the characters, for good and bad.