Tom Joad, e.g., is a character from John Steinbeck's novel The Grapes of Wrath. He is a MIGRANT and an Okie, which are terms used to describe people who moved from the Dust Bowl region of the United States during the Great Depression. The term 'MIGRANT' refers to someone who moves from one place to another, usually in search of work or better living conditions. The term 'Okie' is a nickname for people from Oklahoma who migrated to California during the 1930s. Tom Joad is a symbol of the struggles of the MIGRANT workers during this time period.