Damsels in Distress

Damsels in Distress

“Frailty, thy name is a woman!” This quote can be found in William Shakespeare’s famed literary work, Hamlet. Throughout the decades and centuries there has been much dispute about the strength and role of “the weaker vessel.” But, many other sources have proven that women are, in fact just as strong if not stronger than any other “vessel.” In literary works throughout history, women have been portrayed in helpless and domestic, “feminine” roles. John Steinbeck did not employ this depiction in his novels, The Grapes of Wrath in particular. In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath the roles in which Stienbeck portrayed the women was contrary to the common roles of women, in the economic depression the United States suffered through in the 1930’s, which is the time period in which the book was set. Examining his portrayal of the female characters throughout the book one sees, the women becoming strong, dominant characters, and family leaders.

In The Grapes of Wrath, the actions of Ma Joad are used to portray her as the strongest character. We can see this throughout the book even as early as chapter ten, in this chapter the reader feels sympathy for her having been permanently removed from the land and home she has known for so many years. Despite all of the pain caused from this, we are taken to the scene on page 95, where Ma is alone in her empty house. She picks up an old and tattered box, filled with memories; she gently caresses these momentoes, “She bit her lower lip, thinking, remembering. And at last she made up her mind.” She then selected a few items carefully, “ Then gently and tenderly she closed the box and smoothed the top carefully with her fingers. Her lips parted. Then she stood up, took her lantern, and went back into the kitchen. She lifted the stove lid and laid the box gently among the coals.” This shows strength in that, she is able to part with these memories she cherishes for the good of the family so there is more room on the truck for items that are essential to survival. It is shown again on pages 201 through 203 where Grandma is dying and Ma is lying beside her comforting her. We see what a struggle this was for her when she talks to the rest of the family on page 203 and tells them that Grandma has died and as the family looked at her “…with a little terror at her strength.” She relayed to them the story of the n...

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... a-fightin’, ‘cause I got a stick all laid out too.” Which is a blatant disregard for his now lost power and not to mention a harsh blow to the sensitive male ego. There are many things that could have happened to the Joads if Ma had not assumed the role of caretaker and leader, many involve the untimely demise of the Joad family at the expense of the men’s unwillingness to leave the Weedpatch camp. To quote from page 125 of The Indestructible Women “When the men are disheartened and defeated, the women bear up and take charge,” which is very true throughout this novel.

The way in which Steinbeck portrays his female characters in The Grapes of Wrath, as caretakers, but also leaders is contrary to their accepted role in the family at that time period and also throughout literature. There have been many misunderstandings of women’s roles in the past. Many literary works contain the classic “damsel in distress” story; everyone grew up with them, the stories where the handsome prince comes to rescue the frail, beautiful and feminine princess, unlike these other stories, The Grapes of Wrath is written as a testament to the strength of all women. If only Shakespeare had known Ma Joad.