Chapter 2 Grapes of wrath?

Tom is pretty furtive about being an ex-con. The truck driver is being nosy and Tom feels that the driver is judging him. He finally tells the driver what he was in for. Tom is a principled man. Tom is not particularly ashamed for being in prison and, although he doesn't have to disclose his past (when he feels challenged) , he seems to do it out of pride and a little shock value.

The Driver is surprised that Tom is returning to the farm because most people have already left. He says that most families have been “tractored out” of their small plots of land.