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Grapes Of Wrath Family Analysis

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Ma, Head of the Family

Migrating across the country and building a new life from scratch is a terrifying experience that many families had to face throughout The Grapes of Wrath. Going through such a change in someone’s life can change them as a person. In the Joad family, Ma showed significant growth throughout the novel. She went from a behind the scenes follower to stepping into the role of head of the family. All the while she made sure that everyone was taken care of and stayed together, as that is what family is about, even if family is greater than just blood. Ma
Joad is a symbol of unity and strength in a time when little hope was left.
The role of a woman, as depicted in the novel, was not one of power. Ma cooked meals and cared …show more content…
When a flood forced them to leave the new home they had made, Ma made a hard decision, but was best for the family. “We’re a-gettin’ outa here…getting’ to higher groun’. An’ you’re coming or you ain’t comin’, but I’m takin
Rosasharon an’ the little fellas outa here.” (p.613). She also learned to help the greater “family”, the family of workers all struggling for the same reasons and facing the same hardships. When they arrive in a camp full of starving families like her own, she leaves leftover stew for children who have not eaten. “You little fellas go on an’ get you each a flat stick an’ I’ll put what’s left on for you.” (p.51).
Steinbeck allows Ma to defy the things that once held her back as she grows into a strong leader of the Joad family. Her sympathy, level head and fight for unity made her a symbol of the importance of family and togetherness. Each road block the family faced on her journey pushed her and helped her grow when other’s leadership faltered. Ma showed to readers that in such desperate times, hard decisions and sacrifice must be made. The struggle they all faced can break people into pieces, but with a untied family behind you, you can make it through it all stronger than how you

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