In the grapes of wrath...?

Question

what's the meaning to the reference to purty boy floyd?

Answer 1

The Grapes of Wrath is a classic, and also one that I have never read.  However, there are numerous free on line resources that can help you with your study of this novel, most of which analyze the story, discuss themes and symbolism and other literary devices, and give character sketches.  If you do a search you will find many helpful resources.  Additionally hundreds of questions have been asked here on Y!A about The Grapes of Wrath so do a search for it in the Yahoo Answers search window and you will find lots of Q’s and A’s that should help you.    

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/grapesofwr...

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/t...

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitN...

http://www.latw.org/acrobat/grapes.pdf

http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guide...

Answer 2

Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd (February 3, 1904 – October 22, 1934) was an American bank robber and alleged killer, romanticized by the press.

Floyd would hide out between crimes in towns near the one in which he had grown up, protected by the locals. Popular legend says that they did this out of love for his generosity and their hatred of the banks, which were at that time foreclosing on many farms. However, the contemporary press claimed that he simply bribed them for their silence. Whether that was true or not has never been proven, but it is believed likely, as many people were unemployed at the time, and Floyd having funds and being generous would have been well received in some circles, although not in all.

So he was viewed as a sort of Robin Hood who stole money from banks that were kicking people off their land & giving then giving the money back to the people.

He was killed in a shoot-out with the FBI.

Answer 3

Ma Joad knew Floyd, and doesn't want Tom to go down the same danerous road that Floyd did.

Answer 4

I think Ma Joad brought him up in her conversation with Tom to relay her belief that sometimes prison can change a person, and not for the better. She was afraid that Tom might have changed into a different person in prison, that prison may have warped him and turned him into someone mean and unlike the son she knew. Ma Joad said that it had happened with Pretty Boy Floyd and his mother, and she was afraid that it might have happened with Tom as well.