Gender Stereotypes In The Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck

In the poem, “Gender Inequality” Daniichan uses imagery and metaphors to shed light upon unfair gender stereotypes, which relates to John Steinbeck’s challenging tone towards gender roles and stereotyping in The Grapes of Wrath, thus conveying that despite how far society seems to have come when it comes to gender equality, people still endure discrimination and stereotypical pressures today because of the sex they were born into. In the poem the poet explains how people are “born into roles.” If they’re male, society expects them to be strong and “manly.” They can’t show, or even have any feelings. They must be tough and authoritative, while the females are to be seen as weak. They expect females not to have much ambition and are just supposed

When the poet says, “A puppet bound by the hands of society, pushing, pushing to free herself, to change what being a woman means, what (gender) equality means” (Daniichan 13-15). He wasn’t just talking about a woman wishing to be free from the unfair gender stereotypes and discrimination. However, instead talking about every person whose been told what they can or cannot do because of their sex. Steinbeck challenges gender roles in his novel, The Grapes of Wrath, with Ma Joad. Ma Joad is a strong, firm, woman who Steinbeck described her as “the backbone of the family.” In chapter 8, Steinbeck says “Her hazel eyes seem to have experience every possible tragedy…” (Steinbeck 74). Ma Joad endures tough trials on the journey to California and demonstrates her strength and integrity along the way. When Grandma Joad died and she had to deal with that alone so they could get across the border. When they finally arrived, she had to still be strong for the sake of her family who keep falling down into spirals, but she encourages, even pushes them to keep going. She defends her position and authority when Pa just about threaten to “get out his stick” on Ma, because she started giving orders and calling the