Am I not turtley enough, for the turtle club?

The turtle represents nature. It is slow-moving, just as nature takes time to grow and replenish, but keeps on walking, like nature continues on growing. The turtle's shell represents the way nature is able to survive and protect itself, regardless of the actions of man. The life span of a turtle and how long their species has existed shows how the years of nature outlast those of man. The turtle is living in Oklahoma during the dust bowl, which was created by man not heeding to nature, when not much water could be found. This again shows nature's resilience as well as nature's way to adapt to any circumstances. The turtle is trying to cross a road, a man-made structure, and is struggling a little. It first has to climb up a hill before it gets to the road, showing nature's ability to grow and overcome obstacles. When it gets to the road, it tries to cross it quickly because the asphalt is hot, symbolizing man's destruction of nature. A car drives by and swerves to miss the turtle, representative of the people who try to be kind to nature, or at least respect it. The woman in the car learns from her mistake and continues driving, but slower this time. People are learning not to mess with nature. Another driver however, swerves to run over the turtle, but misses and just knocks the turtle onto it's back. The man symbolizes, well, The Man, and capitalism, how some people are purposefully trying to destroy nature, or at least don't care about the state that it's in. It takes time for the turtle to get back on its feet, but the turtle continues walking and eventually crosses the road, showing that nature will always be around, no matter what man tries to do to it. As the turtle goes along, it plants seeds behind it, ensuring the continuation of nature and new growth even in difficult situations. When Tom picks up the turtle it shows how man is trying to train nature and bend it to our will. The turtle, in perhaps an act of rebellion, pees on Tom, after it has been wrapped in his coat for a long time.

Jim Casy is a man who was once a preacher, but is now lost, in both his religion and life. He is living in the wilderness and has decided that he doesn't love Jesus, but rather, loves people. He believes that everyone is part of a single soul and that no one can possible be either good or bad. He represents the theme of "We vs. I", and possibly alludes to John the Baptist.

Tom Joad was just recently released from prison after killing a man in self-defense. He is on probation (foreshadow) and is traveling to his dad's house trying to find work and place to stay. He was born into the life of a farmer and doesn't know what to do after prison, especially now that all the crops are dead. Tom represents the theme of anger.