The Grapes of Wrath: The Role of Ma Joad

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Through the roughest times in life, we come across crises that reveal the true character in those around us. Those who are strong are divided from the weak and the followers divide from the leaders. In the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, author John Steinbeck presents the character Ma Joad who serves an important role as the rock that keeps the family together. The Joad family, apart from many families in Oklahoma, is forced to leave their homes in search of work and better opportunities; California not only leaves them in poverty but despair. But through it all Ma Joad is the leader of the family that exhibits selflessness in order to protect and secure her family.

Ma Joad is the mother of the Joad family and the leader. Her features displayed great power in her personality and character.

Ma was heavy, but not fat; thick with child-bearing and work. She wore loose Mother Hubbard of gray cloth in which there had once been colored flowers, but the color was washed out now, so that the small flowered pattern was only a little lighter gray than the background. The dress came down to her ankles, and the strong, broad bare feet moved quickly and deftly over the floor. Her thin, steel-gray hair was gathered in a sparse wispy knot at the back of her head. Strong, freckled arms were bare to the elbow, and her hands were chubby and delicate, like those of a plump little girl. She looked out into the sunshine. Her full face was not soft; it was controlled kindly (Steinbeck 99).

The connotation in the words to describe Ma shows great strength and impact in each, saying what kind of person she is. The contrasting words like “strong” and “delicate” explain her character, mothering, nurturing but also strong, and controlled.

“Her hazel eyes...

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Johnson, Claudia D. Understanding The Grapes of Wrath: a Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1999.

A., Mercedes. "The Importance of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck to American Culture." Associated Content from Yahoo! - Associatedcontent.com. Web. 20 Oct. 2010.

Naylor, Brian. "NPR : Grapes of Wrath, Present at the Creation." NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. Web. 20 Oct. 2010.

Sharpe, Taylor. "Motherhood, Matriarchy and Feminism in The Grapes of Wrath." Associated Content from Yahoo! - Associatedcontent.com. Web. 16 Oct. 2010.

Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin, 1992.

Wyatt, David. New Essays on the Grapes of Wrath. New York: Cambridge UP, 1990.

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