What according to Steinbeck determines a mans ownership to the land in The Grapes of Wrath?

In "The Grapes of Wrath," Steinbeck suggests that a man's ownership of the land is determined not merely by legal titles or deeds, but by his connection to it, his labor, and the life it sustains. The characters who cultivate the land and invest their sweat and toil in it possess a deeper, intrinsic claim to it, reflecting a profound relationship between humans and nature. This perspective challenges the conventional notions of property, emphasizing that true ownership arises from a bond with the earth and a commitment to nurturing it.