Hardship of Prison Life in Grapes of Wrath

The author of Grapes of Wrath raises an interesting point in chapter four when his character Joad is talking about his time in prison.

He talks about how when a man gets out of prison it can be difficult for him. This makes sense because he would have to tell a lot of people that he used to be in prison and that could raise a lot of concern. He might find it difficult to get a respectable job making any kind of decent money if he has the reputation of having been in prison. Also the people in any town that he goes to live after he gets out might be afraid and wary of him and fear for their own safety and the safety of their children. Because of this they might decide to just run him out of town before he causes any kind of trouble.

Another reason this could be a very difficult transition for them is that they are losing the stability and regularity that they were used to in prison life. When they were housed in the prison they neve rhad to worry about putting a roof over their heads. A stable roof was always provided for them. Also they never had to worry about what they would eat that day or if they'd even have enough money to eat because their meals were always hot and ready and prepared just for them like clockwork. They also had other amenities provided to them such as showers and baths, and they also had electricity goin gfor them that they never had to spend a dime on. They also develop relationships with their cellmates that have to be difficult to give up when they leave.

Lastly, they're used to the structure that the prison affords them. By the time they've been a prison resident for awhile they're used to their life being run by a bell that tells them when to go places and when to do things. When they get out and have to figure that out for themselves it can't be easy. Overall I think the author is trying to make the reader realize that it can't be easy getting out of prison, despite what people who have never experienced it may think.