meaning of the turtle

I think the turtle in chapter four represents joads journey after he leaves prison only he knows were he is going and he wont stop until he gets there. when a person picks up the turtle it could mean that tom will be picked up by the cops for jumping states on probation.

Jim- Is a preacher who does some questionable things, but he feels lost and says he loves people not jesus.

Tom- Farmer's son, been in prison for killing someone in self defense. After prison he is headed back to his family business. (on probation) easily to anger.

grapes of wrath

In chapters 1-2 the story introduces Joad who hitch hiked a ride and later reveals that he was in jail for a homicide. The truck driver giving him a ride was very nosey so Joad just told him. Joad was sentenced to seven years but since he had good behavior he got out in four.