1939
Recently paroled Tom Joad returns home to Oklahoma to find his family's farm foreclosed and their land destroyed by dust storms, prompting the Joads and former preacher Casy to embark on a perilous journey to California for work. The family faces immediate tragedy as Grampa dies on the road, followed by Granma's death as they cross the desert into California, forcing them to bury their dead in makeshift graves. Upon arriving in California, the Joads encounter hostile locals, exploitative labor practices, and squalid living conditions in migrant camps, where Connie abandons his pregnant wife Rosasharn and the family. Tom reunites with Casy, who has become a labor organizer, but Casy is brutally murdered by deputies during a strike, leading Tom to kill a deputy in retaliation and become a fugitive. After hiding from the law, Tom bids farewell to his mother, vowing to carry on Casy's work by fighting for justice for the oppressed, while the remaining Joads continue their search for work, embodying resilience despite their ongoing hardships.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Tom Joad returns from prison, reunites with his displaced family, and journeys westward to California amid Dust Bowl hardships.
Open full beat sheetTom Joad is listed as Protagonist. Recently paroled from prison, resilient, observant, and protective of his family. In the parsed data, Tom Joad is connected to 40 scenes, 47 dialogue lines, 47 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
40 scenes / 47 dialogue linesMa Joad is listed as Matriarch. The backbone of the Joad family, determined to keep the family together at all costs. In the parsed data, Ma Joad is connected to 29 scenes, 33 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
29 scenes / 33 dialogue linesAl Joad is listed as Son. A teenager obsessed with cars and girls, serves as the family's driver. In the parsed data, Al Joad is connected to 24 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
24 scenes / 11 dialogue linesPa Joad is listed as Patriarch. A sharecropper struggling to maintain his authority and provide for his family. In the parsed data, Pa Joad is connected to 23 scenes, 31 dialogue lines, 31 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
23 scenes / 31 dialogue linesRosasharn Joad is listed as Daughter. Pregnant and vulnerable, struggling with the hardships of the journey. In the parsed data, Rosasharn Joad is connected to 18 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
18 scenes / 4 dialogue linesUncle John is listed as Uncle. Haunted by his past, quiet and prone to bouts of depression. In the parsed data, Uncle John is connected to 14 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
14 scenes / 4 dialogue linesCasy is listed as Philosophical Mentor. A former preacher who has lost his faith in traditional religion but gained a deep love for humanity. In the parsed data, Casy is connected to 13 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
13 scenes / 12 dialogue linesRuthie Joad is listed as Daughter. Young, energetic, and observant. In the parsed data, Ruthie Joad is connected to 13 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
13 scenes / 6 dialogue linesWinfield Joad is listed as Son. The youngest child. In the parsed data, Winfield Joad is connected to 13 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 42.
13 scenes / 1 dialogue linesGranma Joad is listed as Grandmother. Deeply religious and frail. In the parsed data, Granma Joad is connected to 11 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
11 scenes / 7 dialogue linesNoah Joad is listed as Son. A slow-witted, gentle young man. In the parsed data, Noah Joad is connected to 8 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
8 scenes / 3 dialogue linesGrampa Joad is listed as Grandfather. Stubborn, cantankerous, and deeply attached to his land. In the parsed data, Grampa Joad is connected to 5 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
5 scenes / 23 dialogue linesConnie Rivers is listed as Son-in-law. Rosasharn's husband, eventually abandons the family. In the parsed data, Connie Rivers is connected to 5 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 10.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMuley Graves is listed as Displaced Farmer. A neighbor who refuses to leave his land, becoming a 'graveyard ghost'. In the parsed data, Muley Graves is connected to 4 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
4 scenes / 9 dialogue linesTom Joad walks along a highway and hitches a ride with a truck driver.
Tom JoadTom and the truck driver talk; Tom reveals he was in prison.
Tom JoadTom meets Casy, a former preacher.
Tom Joad, CasyTom and Casy walk toward the Joad cabin as a dust storm approaches.
Tom Joad, CasyTom and Casy find the cabin abandoned and meet Muley Graves.
Tom Joad, Casy, Muley GravesFlashback: Muley is told by a company man to leave his land.
Muley GravesFlashback: A tractor destroys Muley's home.
Muley GravesTom, Casy, and Muley hide in the cotton field to avoid the superintendent's car.
Tom Joad, Casy, Muley GravesThe Joad family eats breakfast and discusses the move to California.
Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Grampa Joad, Granma JoadTom reunites with his family and they prepare to leave for California.
Tom Joad, Casy, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn JoadMa Joad sorts through her belongings before leaving.
Tom Joad, Ma JoadThe family prepares to depart, but Grampa refuses to go.
Tom Joad, Casy, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn JoadThe Joad family departs their home in the truck, with Tom and Pa reflecting on the journey while Ma remains stoic.
Tom Joad, Casy, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn JoadThe family stops on the highway as Grampa dies.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Grampa Joad, Granma JoadThe family buries Grampa in a makeshift grave.
Tom Joad, Casy, Ma Joad, Pa JoadThe family crosses the state line and is stopped by a cop.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Granma JoadThe family stays at a camp where they hear discouraging news about California.
Tom Joad, Casy, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Connie RiversPa buys bread and candy for the children at a roadside stand.
Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Granma Joad, Noah Joad, Ruthie JoadThe family reaches the California border.
Tom Joad, Pa Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Connie RiversThe family rests by the river before crossing the desert.
Tom Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Granma Joad, Noah JoadThe Joads rest by a river, discussing their situation and meeting a man returning from California.
Tom Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Noah Joad, Uncle JohnThe Joads stop for gas before the desert; Noah disappears into the darkness.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Granma Joad, Noah Joad, Al JoadThe Joads travel across the desert; Granma passes away.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Granma Joad, Al Joad, Pa Joad, Rosasharn JoadThe Joads pass an agricultural inspection while hiding Granma's death.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Granma Joad, Uncle JohnThe Joads reach California and Ma reveals Granma's death.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al JoadThe Joads arrive in town and are warned by a policeman to move on.
Tom Joad, Pa Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Ma Joad, Al Joad, Ruthie JoadThe Joads arrive at a migrant camp and Ma shares food with hungry children.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Uncle JohnA labor agent tries to recruit workers, but is challenged by Floyd.
Tom Joad, Pa JoadA deputy and an agent confront Floyd and Tom, leading to a violent altercation where Casy intervenes and is arrested.
Tom Joad, Casy, Al JoadMa Joad confronts Pa and Al about Al's plan to leave the family.
Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Ruthie Joad, Winfield JoadTom returns to the tent and learns Connie has abandoned the family.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Uncle JohnThe Joads are turned away by a roadblock.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn JoadThe Joads meet Spencer, who directs them to work at Hooper's ranch.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Uncle JohnThe Joads arrive at the heavily policed Hooper ranch.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Al JoadThe Joads settle into their assigned house and discuss the day.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Uncle JohnTom is prevented from leaving the ranch by a guard.
Tom JoadTom escapes from the guarded area by crawling under a fence.
Tom JoadTom finds Casy in a tent and learns about the strike.
Tom Joad, Casy, Uncle John, Noah JoadTom and Casy are ambushed by deputies under a bridge.
Tom Joad, CasyMa tends to Tom's wounds and they discuss the family's future.
Ma Joad, Tom Joad, Rosasharn JoadThe Joads arrive at a government camp and are amazed by the conditions.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Uncle John, Ruthie JoadRuthie shows Winfield the sanitary unit, they accidentally flush the toilet, and Ruthie makes a pact with him to keep it secret.
Ruthie Joad, Winfield JoadTom and the Wallaces work in a ditch; Mr. Thomas warns them about a planned attack on the government camp.
Tom Joad, Casy, Al JoadThe Saturday night dance at the government camp; Tom and the committee prepare to thwart the agitators.
Tom Joad, Ma Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Al JoadPolice check license plates at the camp; Tom decides he must leave to protect his family.
Tom Joad, Ma JoadTom Joad says goodbye to Ma Joad before leaving into the darkness.
Tom Joad, Ma JoadThe Joad family packs their truck in a frenzy of excitement to head to Fresno for work.
Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Uncle John, Ruthie JoadThe Joads drive toward Fresno, discussing their future and resilience.
Ma Joad, Pa Joad, Al Joad, Rosasharn Joad, Uncle John, Ruthie JoadThis here ol' man jus' lived a life an' jus' died out of it. I don't know whether he was good or bad, an' it don't matter much. Heard a fella say a poem once, an' he says, "All that lives is holy." But I wouldn't pray for jus' a ol' man that's dead, because he's awright. If I was to pray I'd pray for the folks that's alive an' don't know which way to turn. Grampa here, he ain't got no more trouble like that. He's got his job all cut out for 'im--so cover 'im up and let 'im get to it.
Then it don't matter. Then I'll be all aroun' in the dark. I'll be ever'where--wherever you look. Wherever there's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there. 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' they know supper's ready. An' when our people eat the stuff they raise, an' live in the houses they build, why, I'll be there too.
Wait'll I get to California! Gonna reach up and pick me an orange whenever I want it! Or grapes. That there's somethin' I ain't never had enough of! Gonna get me a whole bunch a grapes off a bush and I'm gonna squash 'em all over my face and just let the juice dreen down offen my chin!
Woman can change better'n a man. Man lives in jerks--baby born, or somebody dies, that's a jerk--gets a farm, or loses one, an' that's a jerk. With a woman it's all one flow, like a stream, little eddies, little waterfalls, but the river it goes right on. Woman looks at it like that.
Sol' things, chopped cotton--even Grampa. Got us about two hunnerd dollars all tol'. Shucked out seventy-five for this truck, but we still got nearly a hunnerd and fifty to set out on. I figger we oughta be able to make it on that.
You the one that keeps us goin', Ma. I ain't no good any more, an' I know it. Seems like I spen' all my time these days a-thinkin' how it use'ta be--thinkin' of home--an' I ain't never gonna see it no more.
I figger best we leave something like this on him, lest somebody dig him up and make out he been kilt. Lotta times looks like the gov'ment got more interest in a dead man than a live one.
Like to jus' stay here myself. Like to lay here forever. Never get hungry an' never get sad. Lay in the water all life long, lazy as a brood sow in the mud.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.