Ma insists that Tom has to keep in control because the family is on the verge of breaking up and needs his strength. As the family leaves the camp they are confronted by an angry mob and forced to turn back because they do not want any migrants in their town. Tom is forced to act "bull simple" like he was advised to do. More and more of Tom's Hierarchy of Needs are being stripped away by the Californians. The Joads find a government camp where the tenants make their own laws and deputies are not allowed without a warrant. In this camp a mentally ill religious fanatic scares Rose of Sharon by telling her how God punishes sinful people with stillborn children. Rose of Sharon is genuinely frightened by a false threat while Tom clings to his strength in the face of losing his freedom because of the inhumane way the deputies and landowners are treating him. While in the government camp Tom is given time to recover his sanity somewhat because he does not have to deal with the constant badgering by the deputies. Tom is near the peak of his development because the camp offers security, belonging, a boost to his self-esteem, and even a little work to earn money. Tom goes for a walk at night and finds a tent near a stream. Inside is Casey. Casey tells Tom that he is organizing a strike against the landowners that are paying sub-standard wages. Casey has found a method to make the situation better for everybody and urges Tom to join him. Some deputies find their strike camp and his Casey on the head killing him. Tom loses control when he sees his innocent friend killed and lashes out against the deputy letting out his repressed meanness killing him turn. This event is similar to the first time Tom killed a man because the person killed violated Tom's morals. Tom is hit in the face deforming his nose and escapes back to camp. Casey broadens Tom’s view of life. In the beginning he was only concerned with his own pleasure. Then he was involved...
