The Character of Tom Joad free essay sample

The Character of Tom Joad In the novel The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck delves deep into each character thoroughly. Throughout the book, Steinbeck uses intricate descriptions in order to depict the development and subtleties of each character. Each character has a unique personality that essentially develops into new qualities and attributes. Such development is seen in many characters throughout the book, including Rose of Sharon. She is seen as immature at the start of the book, but by the end, she quickly learns to take the world into account and grows to become less selfish. This is only one of the substantial growths in character can be seen in the characters of this novel. One of the many characters in this novel that greatly portrays this character development is Tom Joad. Tom Joad, as a character, changes severely throughout the book from the selfish person he was, to a figure committed to bettering the future, as well as an improved leader for the family. We will write a custom essay sample on The Character of Tom Joad or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Several examples of Tom’s changes can be seen throughout the book, as a result from his experiences with Jim Casy, as well as conversations he has with his mother. Tom Joad shows that he is a selfish person at the very beginning of the book. At the beginning of the novel, Tom is introduced as a former fugitive now on parole. At most, the reader may think that he is the antagonist of the book because of the fact that he had killed a man. Tom is introduced as selfish from the very moment he is described. â€Å"‘I’d do what I done-again,† said Joad. â€Å"I killed a guy in a fight. We was drunk at a dance. He got a knife in me, an’ I killed him with a shovel that was layin’ there,†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (25). Tom Joad was not reluctant at all when he was telling his story of how he got into prison. The fact that he does not care that he killed a man, and even offered to do it again shows that he is a selfish person. He did not care for another mans life, and did not bother to look for an alternate solution to the situation he was in. He only cared about himself when it came to killing, and showed no mercy. If given the decision to take back what he had done, Tom Joad would have kept things the way they were, proving his egotism. As the novel progresses, Tom transforms from this selfish nature to become a caring person. Several examples of this transformation are seen throughout various chapters. When the Joads are traveling west to California with the Wilson’s, Tom offers to help them when their car breaks down. â€Å"Tom said nervously, ‘Look Al. I done my time, an’ now it’s done†¦ Let’s jus’ try an’ get a con-rod an’ the hell with the res’ of it. ’† Tom is showing a little more care for other people’s problems, however, he still has a selfish side because he still does not regret killing a man. He knew he had to pay for it by going to prison, but he still believes he did nothing wrong by taking a man’s life. By offering to help out with the Wilson’s’ car, he is on his way to becoming a less selfish person. As the book draws to a close, Tom stumbles upon Jim Casy again, who is murdered in front of his own eyes. As a result, he is thrown into a silent rage and kills another man which causes him to hide in the forest. He realizes that he is a danger to his family, so he sacrifices his safety in order for his family to be safe. ‘â€Å"Ya can’t do that, Ma. I tell you I’m jus’ a danger to ya,†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (391). There is a clear transition from Tom acting selfish at the beginning of the book to him acting completely selfless at the end. This selflessness also contributed to him being a figure committed to bettering the future. As Tom Joad becomes more selfless, this particular quality helps him to become a person who has the future in mind. The main ideals that influence him are the philosophies of Jim Casy as the Joad family is traveling west to California. Tom is first exposed to Jim Casy’s principles in the very beginning of their journey to California. Casy says to Tom, ‘â€Å"I figgered, ‘Why do we got to hang it on God or Jesus? Maybe,’ I figgered, ‘maybe it’s all men an’ all women we love; maybe that’s the Holy Sperit-the human sperit-the whole shebang,’† (24). Tom begins to believe in Casy’s beliefs as he tells him of his ideals and as they spend time together. Tom begins to follow Casy and his belief of â€Å"the human sperit,† and that it could be humans that we need to spend time on; not God or Jesus. This idea gradually begins to dwell on Tom, and it results in him becoming less selfish over time. He begins to be more helpful towards his family and towards others in general, and becomes valuable to the family. The ideals Casy invoked in Tom clearly made him committed towards the future by the end of the book. As Tom was hiding in the woods, he told Ma his thoughts that were inspired by Jim Casy. â€Å"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’ the y 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,†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (419). Jim Casy’s death allowed Tom to realize that he wanted to help the world using what he had learned from Casy’s ideals. After all of Casy’s advice, Tom had finally changed his view of the world. He realized he had a purpose in life, and he wanted to use it to protect humanity. Tom rambled onto Ma about how he wanted to help whoever was in need and to make the world a better place. This is far from what he aspired to do at the beginning of the book. As the novel progresses, Tom’s character develops from wanting to live a normal life to wanting to live the life of a person who wants to better the world. As Tom gains this new view of the world, he begins to become a leader for the Joad family. The Joad family comes across many hardships as they make their way across the United States to California. Life changing experiences were brought upon the family members, including the death of loved ones, such as Grandpa and Grandma. Pa was beginning to lose his authority as the figure to look up to, and began to look weak. Ma was doing the best she could to help the family, as she was main person who interacted with everyone, as well as made food for the family. As the Joads made their way across the states, a father figure had to spring up in order to keep the family together. Al was not yet mature enough, as he was only seventeen, and expressed constantly that he only cared about himself. We can see this attitude when he talks about leaving the family when they get to California, as well as when he gets married to a person he knows for only a few weeks. With the older and younger figures out of the loop, Tom was the likely candidate to be the new leader of the Joad family. Tom was practically forced to become the leader to guide his family, as no one else either volunteered or was capable of taking the job. When the Joad family arrives at the Weedpatch government camp, the first thing Tom does after they settle down is look for work. â€Å"Don’t you wake nobody up, but when they get up, you tell ‘em I got a chancet at a job, an’ I’m a-goin’ for it. Tell Ma I et breakfas’ with some neighbors. You hear that? †Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (292). Tom acts like a leader by trying to find work and providing for his family in any way possible. This leadership role had built up his character because he had to step up into a new and unfamiliar role, making him a stronger person. Tom Joad has developed greatly throughout the novel The Grapes of Wrath. There was an immense change in the character of Tom from the beginning of the book to the end of the book. He transformed from the selfish person he was to a caring, selfless person. Including this increase in character, Tom also committed to bettering the future through adopting Casy’s teachings. Jim Casy’s principles were the driving force for all of his character development. The commitment to better the future allowed Casy to become a selfless person. By bettering the future, one has to care for others, so by using Casy’s teachings, he was able to further develop into a better person. In addition, Tom has to adopt a role as the leader for the Joad family. By doing this, he is putting himself into a new situation which only strengthens his character and tests his ability to keep the family together. Casy’s teachings also apply to Tom’s becoming a leader. Due to the role of Tom becoming a person who wants to better the future, one of the roles in which he could promote this ideal is by being a leader. By leading the people he is close to, he would be able to become someone who can lead other groups of people in order to help better the future. Tom grows into a whole new person by the end of this book, and learns many new things from the people around him.

Bio of Robert Goddard, American Rocket Scientist

Bio of Robert Goddard, American Rocket Scientist Robert Hutchings Goddard (October 5, 1882–August 10, 1945) was an influential American rocket scientist whose work shaped the history of space exploration. Yet, as far-reaching as Goddards work became, it was not acknowledged as important by the government or military for much of his life. Nevertheless, Goddard persevered, and today all rocket technologies owe him an intellectual debt. Fast Facts: Robert H. Goddard Full Name: Robert Hutchings GoddardOccupation: Engineer and rocket developerBorn: October 5, 1882 in Worcester, Massachusetts, USAParents Names: Nahum Goddard, Fannie L. HoytDied: August 10, 1945 in Worcester, Massachusetts, USAEducation: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (B.S. Physics, 1908). Clark University (M.A. and Ph.D. Physics, 1911).Key Achievements: First successful rocket launch on American soil in 1926 in Worcester, MA.  Key Publications: A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes (1919)Spouses Name: Esther Christine KiskResearch Area: Rocket propulsion and engineering Early Life Robert Goddard was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on October 5, 1882, to farmer Nahum Goddard and Fannie Louise Hoyt. He was sickly as a child, but had a telescope and often spent time studying the sky. He eventually became interested in science, particularly the mechanics of flight. His discovery of Smithsonian magazine and articles by flight expert Samuel Pierpont Langley ignited a lifelong interest in aerodynamics. As an undergraduate, Goddard attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he studied physics. He earned his physics Ph.D. at Clark University in 1911, then took a research fellowship at Princeton University the following year. He ultimately joined the faculty at Clark University as a professor of aerospace engineering and physics, a post he held much of his life. Research With Rockets Robert Goddard began writing about rockets while he was still an undergraduate. After getting his Ph.D., he focused on studying the atmosphere using rockets to lift instruments high enough to take temperature and pressure readings. His desire to study the upper atmosphere drove him to experiment with rockets as a possible delivery technology. Goddard had a hard time getting funding to pursue the work, but he eventually persuaded the Smithsonian Institution to support his research. In 1919, he wrote his first major treatise (published by the Smithsonian) called A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes, outlining the challenges of lifting mass high to the atmosphere and exploring how rockets could solve the problems of high-altitude studies.   Dr. Robert H. Goddard and His Rockets. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA-MSFC) Goddard experimented with a number of different rocket configurations and fuel loads, beginning with solid-rocket propellant fuel mixes in 1915. Eventually, he switched to liquid fuels, which required a redesign of the rockets he was using. He had to engineer fuel tanks, turbines, and combustion chambers that hadnt been fashioned for this kind of work. On March 16, 1926, Goddards first rocket soared up from a hill near Worcester, MA, on a 2.5-second flight that went up just over 12 meters.   That gasoline-powered rocket led to further developments in rocket flight. Goddard began working on newer and more powerful designs using bigger rockets. He had to solve problems controlling the angle and attitude of rocket flight, and also had to engineer rocket nozzles that would help to create greater thrust for the vehicle. Goddard also worked on a gyroscope system to control the stability of the rocket and devised a payload compartment to carry scientific instruments. Eventually, he created a parachute recovery system to return the rockets and payload safely to the ground. He also patented the multi-stage rocket in common use today. His 1919 paper, plus his other investigations into rocket design, are considered classics in the field. Dr. Goddard at his Launch Control Shack. NASA Headquarters - GReatest Images of NASA (NASA-HQ-GRIN) Goddard and the Press Although Goddards groundbreaking work garnered scientific interest, his early experiments were criticized by the press as being too fanciful. Notably, however, much of this press coverage contained scientific inaccuracies. The most famous example appeared on January 20, 1920, in The New York Times. The article mocked Goddards predictions that rockets might someday be able to circle the Moon and transport humans and instruments to other worlds. The Times retracted the article 49 years later. The retraction was published on July 16, 1969- the day after three astronauts landed on the Moon: Further investigation and experimentation have confirmed the findings of Isaac Newton in the 17th Century and it is now definitely established that a rocket can function in a vacuum as well as in an atmosphere. The Times regrets the error. Later Career Goddard continued his work on rockets throughout the 1920s and 30s, still fighting for recognition of the potential of his work by the U.S. government. Eventually, he moved his operations to Roswell, NM, and with financial backing from the Guggenheim family, he was able to carry out more rocket research. In 1942, Goddard and his team moved to Annapolis, Maryland, to work on jet-assisted take-off (JATO) technology.  He continually refined his designs throughout World War II, although not sharing his work with other scientists. Goddard preferred secrecy due to his concerns about patent infringement and intellectual property theft. (He repeatedly offered his services and technology, only to be rebuffed by the military and government.) Near the end of World War II and not long before his death, Goddard had a chance to see a captured German V-2 rocket and realized just how much the Germans had copied his work, despite the patents he had gained.   Death and Legacy Throughout his life, Robert H. Goddard remained on the research faculty at Clark University. After World War II, he  joined the American Rocket Society and its board of directors. However, his health was deteriorating, and he died on August 10, 1945. He was buried in Worcester, Massachusetts. Goddards wife, Esther Christine Kisk, gathered his papers after his death and worked on securing patents after Goddards death. Many of Goddards original papers containing his seminal work on rockets can be seen of the Smithsonian Institution Archives. Goddards influence and impact continues to be felt throughout our current space exploration efforts, plus those in the future. Honors Robert H. Goddard may not have been honored fully during his lifetime, but his legacy lives on in many places. NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is named after him, as are several schools across the U.S. He amassed 214 patents for his work during his lifetime, with 131 being awarded after he died. There are streets and park that bear his name, and the Blue Origin makers have named a reusable launch vehicle for him. Sources â€Å"Robert Hutchings Goddard Biographical Note. Archives and Special Collections, Clark University. www2.clarku.edu/research/archives/goddard/bio_note.cfm.Garner, Rob. â€Å"Dr. Robert H. Goddard, American Rocketry Pioneer.† NASA, NASA, 11 Feb. 2015,www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/about/history/dr_goddard.html.Lemelson-MIT Program.† Edmund Cartwright | Lemelson-MIT Program, lemelson.mit.edu/resources/robert-h-goddard.Petersen, Carolyn Collins. Space Exploration: Past, Present, Future. Amberley, 2017.Sean M. â€Å"March 1920 - ‘Report Concerning Further Developments’ in Space Travel.† Smithsonian Institution Archives, Smithsonian Institution, 17 Sept. 2012, siarchives.si.edu/history/featured-topics/stories/march-1920-report-concerning-further-developments-space-travel.

Retention assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Retention assignment - Coursework Example taurant management has successfully employed a retention strategy leading to a sustained employees low turnover, improved productivity and consequently the company has grown tremendously in the food and beverage industry. The company focuses on three primary one of which includes training and hiring the right people to each job specification. With this strategy, the company management occasionally undertakes recruitment policy reviews in order to enhance retention as per Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) strategy (http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/retention.cfm). In 2008, the company trained its employees on enhancing productivity through focusing on the mission statement and actual service delivery. Consequently, the company reversed declining share growth to 11 consecutive record reports back from 42% share losses to a remarkable 12.4% share growth. The success was achieved when employees were retained and trained to reverse the errors in shares instead of possible layoffs (Taylor 23). Secondly, the company regularly conducts employee climate surveys using the 36o degree evaluation strategy. Under this approach, the management conducts performance evaluation with total focus on all spheres of employee including interpersonal relationship in the workplace. The strategy helps the managers to assess workforce attitude and job satisfaction and make changes before employees quit. Through this Strategy, Starbuck has improved its production and raise its employees by 66% from 2003 to 2013 (Liebowitz 17). Certainly, this is a tremendous recipe for the companys growth since high employees means higher productivity and subsequently increase in profits. Through employing the right people and training them, Starbuck has achieved companys growth. In addition, conducting employees evaluation and surveys on job performance has led to the retention of employees and increase in the