Theme Of Family In The Grapes Of Wrath

833 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Theme of grapes of wrath

“A mother knows what her child has gone through, even if she didn’t see it herself” Pramoedya Ananta Toer. The relationship between a mother and her child is said to be the strongest bond that two people can have. I asked my mother what it was like to give birth to another human being and she said that “Having the opportunity and privilege to bring another human into this world is the highest honor and gift a person can do” Michele Dieterich. In the book,The Grapes of Wrath, Ma Joad acts as the maternal character throughout the book and relates to the theme of families stick together. During the Great Depression, there was a massive migration from rural areas to more populated areas. During this era the Joad family decided to migrate from …show more content…

However, the family does not know of Grandma’s death besides Ma. Ma wants the family to cross this treacherous journey and to not have any discouragement or letdowns. Ma keeps Grandma’s death a secret because she knows that it is for the good of the family. When the Joad family’s car pulls into the border patrol, the officers ask to see Grandma. Ma convinces the officers that Grandma is very ill and that she must be given aid. The officers believe Ma and let the Joad family pass. If the police had found the dead body, it would have taken a toll on the Joad family. Ma keeps the secret of Grandma’s death in order to allow her family to successfully cross to California. “All we got is the family unbroke…I ain’t scared while we’re all here, all that’s alive, but I ain’t gonna see us bust up,” ( Steinbeck 219) This quote shows that all Ma Joad cares about is family. Whether or not people die or leave, as long as people are with her and are seen as a part of the family, then Ma believes she has done her job. Tom Joad is known for getting himself into trouble. When Tom finds Jim Casey in the woods near Weedpatch, Jim fills Tom in on how the government are cutting the wages of the jobs. Jim tells Tom about their revolution and during this scene, local police show up and fight the revolutionists. Tom gets badly hurt with cuts all over his face and ends up escaping from the …show more content…

In the Grapes of Wrath, when Tom decides to leave the family, Ma becomes greatly concerned. This shows that Ma is looking out for the greater good of Tom, before looking at her own needs. Throughout the whole journey, Ma tries to keep the family together in every which way. However, Ma knew that Tom was bringing darkness onto the family. Tom seems to always find trouble, and that would risk the safety of the family. “Then it don't matter. I'll be all around in the dark - I'll be everywhere. Wherever you can look - wherever there's a fight, so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there”( Steinbeck 534). This quote is given when Tom is talking with Ma. They are discussing that when Tom leaves, he will still be with Ma in spirit. Tom reassures Ma that even though he will not be with her, he will still be caring for her and will be thinking about her. Ma has trouble letting go of Tom because she does not want the family to be broken

Show More
Related

  • Ma Joad Character Analysis

    1008 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Grapes of Wrath is a very interesting novel. Throughout the novel, the author does not provide a lot of descriptions of the Joad’s family characteristics; however, the action of those characters speak for itself. One of the most astonishing character that I find really interesting is, Ma Joad. After reading the book, I felt so sad and depressed of what she had to go through in her life. While reading it, I compared my Mother to Ma Joad, I think they went through the same journey, not physically, but emotionally. We grew up in a really poor country, Cambodia, and we went through a similar situation. Ma Joad played a really important role in this family movement, without her presence in the Joad’s family, I do not think the family could carry on their trip. She is the glue to the family, she is the one who is holding on the faith of being togetherness in the family. Her character shifts throughout the novel. Ma Joad first started as domesticated house women, does not involve in decision making, and is subordinated to Pa Joad. In chapter 10, while Ma Joad was salting the meat in the kitchen, Casey who used to be a preacher at the church nearby, offered in helping Ma Joad in salting the meat; however, she refused, claiming it “Its women works” (Steinbeck, P. 107).Women were not honored to be independence, it is repeatedly enforced by the society that these belief of women subordinated to men is a right thing, eventually glued in women head. Ma Joad is a soft women, but her character changes as time goes by. Every little thing constantly worries her. I think that is pretty much for every mothers, fears of anything that could separate the family awa...

    Read More

  • Power of Women in The Grapes of Wrath

    1509 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ma Joad is a woman of strength and hope who is the backbone of the family. She represents the Mother Nature archetype while she posses the physical aspect of guiding the family and staying strong when the family needs her most. Steinbecks shows the importance of ma's character by the syntax usage to describe ma. " Ma was heavy, but not fat; thick with child-bearing and work...her ankles, and her strong, broad, bare feet moved quickly and deftly over the floor", Ma is described with these features to show her strength as a mother who has control and survives through hard situations (95). Her 'bare feet' being close to the earth shows how she takes on a 'Mother Nature' archetype to her character. She is one with the earth just as Mother Nature is. Mother Nature is one that gives birth, produces, sustains life and nurtures her family. All of these archetypes are expressed in ma's character.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Reality In The Grapes Of Wrath

    757 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shortly after they begin their journey, Granpa falls ill and evidently dies. “‘He didn’ suffer none. Not after this mornin’. He’s just stayin’ with the lan’” (Steinbeck 146). As a result, the family is shaken and but faces their sorrow and forges ahead. Further along, Noah Joad decides to abandon his family to live a simpler life along the riverbed where they stopped to rest. Tom tries to stop him, but Noah no longer wanted the pressure of travelling any longer. “And he watched Noah drowning smaller on the edge of the river, until he disappeared into the willow at last.” (Steinbeck 209). Furthermore, Granma Joad follows suit of her husband a few days after, and passes. “‘Well she was ol’. Guess her time was up’ Al said, ‘ Ever’body got to die.’” (Steinbeck 229). The Joads’ goals of staying together rapidly fall apart as they travel to California, some leaving through their own free will, and others not being strong enough to make to journey. The harsh realities of the world hits the Joad’s hard, notwithstanding of their best

    Read More

  • The Theme of Man vs. Environment in The Grapes of Wrath

    1405 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Grapes of Wrath is a novel by John Steinbeck that exposes the desperate conditions under which the migratory farm families of America during the 1930's live under.   The novel tells of one families migration west to California through the great economic depression of the 1930's.  The Joad family had to abandon their home and their livelihoods.  They had to uproot and set adrift because tractors were rapidly industrializing their farms.  The bank took possession of their land because the owners could not pay off their loan.  The novel shows how the Joad family deals with moving to California. How they survive the cruelty of the land owners that take advantage of them, their poverty and willingness to work.

    Read More

  • Grapes of Wrath

    705 Words  | 2 Pages

    In John Steinback’s masterpiece novel, The Grapes of Wrath, the novelist uses Ma as the loving, caring, and physical backbone of the family. She is the prime example of the novel’s theme: in order for survival to be successful, people must join together and form a "we" environment as oppose to an "I" environment. Her strength that she instills throughout the novel, her leadership role that she has to help keep the family together, and her love she nourishes to her family shows the readers the true meaning of Ma as Steinback expresses her. Her outstanding characteristic is the essential need for the family’s unity.

    Read More

  • The Grapes of Wrath, an Important Commentary on Humanity and Society

    1016 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Grapes of Wrath is an important commentary on humanity and society, and is intended to evoke intense feelings o the readers. John Steinbeck, the author, attempts to illustrate many true emotions about the book and the history and reality that it was based on. Steinbeck uses images that are very effective and have a large impact on how the reader perceives the characters. Some of the images show the strugles that the Joad family survived through, and others show strength, hope, and endurance. Some of the most effective images are the ones that include devastation,sadness, ...

    Read More

  • Grapes Of Wrath

    2542 Words  | 6 Pages

    John Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath, a remarkable novel that greatly embodied the entire uprisal of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s. The usage of imagery and symbolism help to support his many different themes running through the course of the novel. His use of language assisted in personifying the many trials and tribulations which the Joad family, and the rest of the United States, was feeling at the time. This was a time of great confusion and chaos because no one really knew what the other was going through, they were all just trying to hold their own. To display the many sides of the depression Steinbeck developed the use of intercallorie chapters, and he also manipulated them to posses many other functions; all of these adding to the many images and themes which he was insistent upon getting across to his readers, using a vast collection of techniques.

    Read More

  • The Joad Family In The Grapes Of Wrath

    801 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the novel The Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family faces extreme challenges like having to move to California, the onslaught of constant dust, and death. The Joads must stick together and remain a family if they want to survive during these tough times. Family is the major theme in the book, with multiple symbols backing it up such as the turtle that Tom grabs at the beginning of the book, or farming.

    Read More

  • Ma Joad's Journey In The Grapes Of Wrath

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the novel, Ma Joad serves as the strength and binding force for the Joad family. She is determined to move her family safely from Oklahoma to California, but she is concerned her family may breakup during their journey. Ma begins her journey with valid concerns, and stresses over the wellbeing of her family. "I ain't got faith. I'm scared sompein ain't so nice about it" (123). Ma’s strong devotion to her family and the determination she has for a better life compels her to make the trip to California and endure an agonizing journey. “That’s all I can do. I can’t do no more. All the rest’d get upset if I done any more’n that. They all depen’ on me jus’ thinkin’ about that” (124). Prior to their journey, Tom warns his mother of his skeptical views of California, which causes disagreement among the family. However, Ma’s faith and confidence is enhanced when Tom stops dwelling on his past hardships and changes his perspective about future in California. “I'm

    Read More

  • Ma Joad In John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

    510 Words  | 2 Pages

    In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck portrays the Joad family’s long and burdensome journey to California. The emotional and physical backbone of the family is Ma Joad. Ma’s main responsibility is to take care of the family, provide them with nourishment, warmth, healing, and encouragement. The family will only experience fear and physical suffering when Ma does, so she strives to withhold these emotions in herself. The family looks to Ma for amusement, and she brings great happiness out of little moments. Ma’s serene strength keeps the family together. Ma discovers this powerful strength in love. She is the symbol of Jim Casy’s perception of love, obtaining the same emotional sense of integrity as Tom Joad. A strong-willed and affectionate

    Read More

  • Conformity In The Grapes Of Wrath Essay

    1340 Words  | 3 Pages

    The mother of the Joad family serves as a stable figure from which people draw strength and comfort. Her pregnant daughter, Rose of Sharon, experiences the desertion of her spouse and the cruel taunts of a highly religious and superstitious woman and Ma reassuringly comes to her aid. Along with Rose of Sharon, Ma helps many people despite the limited resources her family possesses. When cooking a meat stew that is limited in servings, Ma still manages to provide some sparring for a few children who “stood stiffly and looked at her...Their eyes [following] the spoon from pot to plate..(269). In like manner, Sairy Wilson, a sick, elderly woman graciously helps the Joad family during the passing of a family member. Sairy despite her illness selflessly aids the Joads and hides her pain as not to cause any burden, “She stared into the sky and braced her body firmly against the pain”(156). In contrast to Ma and Sairy’s frequent displays of kindness, Rose of Sharon for the majority of the book is absorbed in her pregnancy and the best care for her and her unborn baby. It is not until later on when Rose of Sharon delivers a stillborn, that she embraces this selflessness and compassion that is expressed by Ma and Sairy, when she offers her breast milk to an elderly man. Rose of Sharon afterward “smiles mysteriously” implicating that Rose of Sharon has finally grasped the realization of the oversoul; the theory that there is a spiritual unity among all beings(479). Steinbeck reinforces his biblical allusions with this famous ending scene with Rose of Sharon and the sickly man by displaying a resurrection of health in the old man and the hope of the future. These acts of selflessness shown by the women in The Grapes of Wrath are reflective of the aspect of Transcendentalism that celebrates the good in

    Read More

  • The Role Of The Joad Family In The Grapes Of Wrath

    921 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the novel Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck illustrates the strength of the Joad family and their ability to keep family first amongst countless trials and tribulations. At the beginning of the novel, Tom Joad, the main protagonist of the story, experiences a sharp rude awakening to his plans of relaxing and “rutting after the women” when he returns home after serving a four-year prison sentence for a homicide he was forced to commit out of self-defense. The beginning quarter of this novel is devoted to Tom's reuniting with his family as he finds them just before they leave Oklahoma for California. Because the author devotes such a large section of the novel to this “reuniting” presents the importance of family as a stabilizing force.

    Read More

  • The Role Of The Joad Family In The Grapes Of Wrath

    1176 Words  | 3 Pages

    In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck uses the Joad family to show the struggle of the migrant farmers during the dust bowl. He shows the hardships trials and failure of the family while using intercalary chapters to show the perspective of the people as whole from the average migrant farmer to owners of the business that hires these people. John Steinbeck conveys the quality of the family's persistence to endure hardships by moving from their home, to the separation of their family, and through the death of Rose of Sharon's baby.

    Read More

  • John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

    300 Words  | 1 Pages

    “The Grapes of Wrath” was one of the books which impressed me a lot and give me a deeper understanding of American history and how people lived at that time. This book was written by a seriously famous Californian writer, John Steinbeck, and when it was first published in 1939, it provoked a stir in American society and the readers. The Grapes of Wrath is a story of hunger and pain and a family's struggle to survive and better themselves during the Great Depression. This story about the Joad family is a story of contradictions in our society. The rich do well and the poor starve. “The Grapes of Wrath” gave a voice to the tens of thousands of Americans affected by the Dust Bowl tragedy in Midwestern farming states. The novel and the subsequent

    Read More

  • Grapes Of Wrath

    1727 Words  | 4 Pages

    John Steinbeck uses symbolism to enrich his writing. Several of these symbols can be found in his book, The Grapes of Wrath. The Joad’s, a family from Oklahoma, are in search of a better life. They leave their home in journey to California because of the dust bowl. The symbols in the book are the dust, the turtle, names of people, and the grapes. These symbols give the reader an additional perspective of the book. Dust represents life and death. Dust makes a mess of things and leaves possessions under a mucky film. The farming in Oklahoma becomes difficult because the heavy winds uplift the soil and carry it great distances. Then the farmers are left with no soil to grow their crops. The Joad’s livelihood depends on the soil. If the soil is rich, then it will feed hundreds. But if the soil is dry, it destroys crops and causes famine. The dust covers Oklahoma and leaves the Joad family with no other choice, but to move. The Joad’s journey to California is as slow as a turtle. Heat in the desert, car problems, and the death of the grandparents make the journey long and painful. A turtle shelters himself by pulling his head, legs, and tail inside his shell. The Joad’s gather together as a family to comfort and shelter themselves. A turtle feels safe when it enters his shell and the Joad’s feel safe when they gather as a family. There is symbolic significance in the names of characters throughout The Grapes of Wrath.

    Read More

More about Theme Of Family In The Grapes Of Wrath

Open Document