The Grapes of Wrath The true beginning of the novel starts when the Joad family begins their journey to the west, heading for bright and sunny California. The whole crew that went on this long journey consisted of, Tom Joad (Jr.), Tom Joad (Senior), Mrs. Joad (Ma), Jim Casey (the reverend), Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle John, Noah Joad, Rose of Sharron Joad, Al Joad, Ruthie Joad, Winfield Joad, and Cassie (Rose of Sharron's husband). They family …showed first 75 words of 1049 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1049 total…going to leave as soon as they can. Finally the last loss to the family comes at the end of the book. A family member that was not even "part of the family" yet, leaves. Rose of Sharron goes into labor during a great flood and because of some complication, her child is a stillborn. Thus, marking the last departure of the Joad family; leaving their original thirteen kin to a meager number of six.