aveling together they can pool their resources and become even more effective as a family. Tom's sense of the family acting as an efficient group is again shown when the Wilson's car throws a con-rod bearing in chapter 16. The repairs will take a substantial amount of time. Tom suggests that the rest of the family keep on moving in the functioning car because the sooner they get to California the sooner they will be earning money. He says that he will stay behind with Casey to fix the car. Ma disagrees and argues that breaking up the family is the wrong thing to do. They come to compromise and agree to take the family up the road to find a place to spend the night while Tom and Casey repair the car. Ma emphasizes keeping the family together while Tom thinks of making the most efficient migration to California as possible. Tog her Ma and Tom make a good team as leaders of the family by coming to compromises between the two issues of speed and keeping together. This cohesion with Ma increases Tom's level of self-esteem. The family finds a place to stay for fifty cents a night per car. The proprietor of the camp insists that even though they are one family, they have to pay fifty cents per car or else the deputy will arrest them for being vagrants. Tom becomes enraged at the man's rudeness. The proprietor violated Tom's morals. Tom wants to deal with him as he would any other: give the man what he deserves and do it up front and straightforward. Tom becomes argumentative but Pa makes him stop because if e deputy is called and he is arrested he will be in even more trouble for violating his parole. Tom realizes this and says that he will take the extra car down the road for the night. The restraint that Tom must use takes away from his level of needs. He must now worry about his level of security and safety. Casey begins to influence Tom in this chapter when he tells Tom that he has noticed the atmosphere changing. More and more families ar...
