Summary of Chapters 1-7

Within these chapters you meet the main character which is Tom Joad. He has just recently been released from prision where he had spent the last four years of his life. He was put in prison for a homicide and was supposed to get in seven years but got out early for good behavior. While Tom was hitch-hiking his way home he met a truck driver that gave him a ride down the road. Before Tom got out of the truck he told the driver what crime he had committed and went on his way. As Tom was walking he found a turtle walking down the side of the road. Tom picked it up to bring it to the children. Tom also stumbles upon an old friend by the name of Jim Casey, sitting in the shade of a tree in the field. Jim Casey is an ex-preacher that has lost his calling. He used to baptize little girls then take them, and lay with them in the fields. As Tom and Casey nears the house they notice that it has somewhat been pushed over and no one is around. They are now wondering what is happening. While they are sitting by the house a man starts walking there way. As he comes closer tom sees that he knows the man it is Muley Graves. Muley tells them that Toms family has been run of by the bank and has gone to stay with Toms Uncle John. Now, Tom and the preacher realize that they need to get to Uncle Johns' house before they leave to. While the three men are sitting and eating they notice a car coming so they go and hide in the cotton fields. Tom and Casey head to Uncle Johns' house, and when they get there they hear what is going on and why they have to leave.