"I ain’t no good any more. Spen’ all my time a-thinkin’ how it use’ ta be. Spen’ all my time thinkin’ of home, an’ I ain’t never gonna see it no more."
– John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 28. A downbeat Pa Joad says this to Ma after she offers to sort out the Wainwrights’ concerns about Al’s relationship with their daughter. Pa is finding it difficult to adapt to his changed circumstances, first losing his home and now his wife now taking over leadership of the family from him. The theme of the loss of human dignity is represented by a defeated Pa Joad.