The One-Eyed Man

In chapter sixteen of The Grapes of Wrath, I read about an unusual character. Steinbeck never actually names him, but he is referred to as the "one-eyed man." When Tom and Al go to get the the parts they need for the truck, they are approached by the one-eyed man. The man did not have his empty eye socket covered up, which I found odd at first. But then Steinbeck described through Tom that the one-eyed man was dirty and gross, and I found not having his empty eye socket covered suited his character.

Then, the one-eyed man went on to complain about his boss and how his boss left work to be with a girl. the one-eyed man continued complaining that he would never get a girl because of the the fact that he only has one eye. Tom made a good point in saying that it was no wonder no one ever looked at him because of the man's appearance. I do not think I would date a guy who did not cover up his empty eye socket; that is unsanitary and just plain gross. Plus, the man smells bad and probably does not take showers often. Tom gets on the guys case telling him to wash up and cover his eye, and he might get a date every once in a while. But, the one-eyed man needs to stop complaining so much about his miserable life.

That part in the chapter made me laugh because it is obvious Tom has had a worse life than the one-eyed man. Tom has killed a man in a drunken brawl and had to spend four years in jail because of it. Plus, Tom got home from jail to find his family gone and he had to walk to his Uncle John's farm only to leave shortly after for California; Tom is still not complaining as much as the one-eyed man.

So, I do not blame Tom for snapping on the one-eyed man. The man is complaining that he cannot get a girl and how miserable his life is because of a missing eye and a personal hygiene problem. So, it is the one-eyed man's fault for the situation he is in, and he needs to stop complaining.