Ma Joad Character Analysis

Matt, Mon

Assignment: Grapes of Wrath

D/M/Y

United States History Since 1865

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,

There are other characters in the novel that creates hope; however, Ma Joad, to me is the one that contributed more hopes for the family and the trip. In the early chapters, Al asks Ma Joad “whether she fears that California will not live up to their expectation and she wisely replies that she cannot account for what might be, but she can only account for what it is” (Steinbeck, P. 124). This scene not only creates hope but also motivation. She is the oil to a machines, without it, it will not run forward. Also, she plays as a role model for Al as well as her family, not to give up hope. We can also see that Ma Joad beliefs and role starts to shift throughout the story, she is being able to make decision instead of just a follower to Pa Joad. She starts to grow as a character. She was able to make decision without consulting with Pa Joad, her seizure of authority rocks the tradition norms. Pa Joad upset with Ma Joad, who has assumed that the tasks of making decision is a man’s responsibility that typically belong to be the male head of the household. When Pa Joad threatened to put her in place. “Seems like times is changed,” he said sarcastically. “Time was when a man said what we’d do. Seems like women is telling’ now. Seems like it’s purty near time to get out a stick,” Ma Joad replied. “Times when they’s food an’ a place to set, then maybe you can use your stick an’ keep your skin whole. But you ain’t a-doin’ your

There are so many problem accursed during the trip to the so called land of haven, California. For instance, “The Wilson’s family car broke down, Tom Joad and Casey offered to leave behind to repair the car, but Ma Joad refused to go on without them” ( Steinbeck, P. 167-169). This illustrates the sense of togetherness, if we have a problem let solve together instead of leaving a problem behind. Ma Joad is a tough women and her gifted calmness and overseas problem helped the Joad’s family continue through their journey. During the police agricultural inspection, Ma Joad “begs for let them go, saying that Grandma is in desperate need of medical attention. When they crossed over the valley, she told the rest of the family that Grandma has passed away since before the inspection. Ma Joad has been laying with a dead body for the whole night at the back of the truck” (Steinbeck, P. 255-228). She is such a tough women, laying to her dead’s mother, without any tears, keep those emotions inside, just to get across the valley. Without her, the Joads properly could not passed the agricultural