Topic 1

Who is Tom Joad? Why was he away from his family before the open of the novel? What has happened while he was gone? Whom does he kill? Why? What goal does he begin to pursue? Why does he decide to try to unite the workers, and who led him to that? Why is this important to the themes of the novel?

Topic 2

Discuss Rose of Sharon's growth through the novel. What is her character like at the beginning? What role does her pregnancy play? What effect does Connie's departure have on her? What is her character like at the end of the novel? What is the mysterious look she gives while suckling the starving man? Why is it significant?

Topic 3

Who leads the Joad family? How does the tension between Ma and Pa affect the family? Why does Ma become so hard and stubborn? Why...