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The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, is a story that takes place during America s dreadful period of depression. Due to misunderstanding the nature of the entire situation, Steinbeck writes this novel to shine some light on the people about the great migration westward. This novel portrays the life of the Joad family who go through the harsh struggles of poverty and migration. They are forced to leave their drought stricken land in Oklahoma, hoping to find work in California, which to them is the land of opportunity, but soon they find out the horrors behind the picturesque mask. In their quest to reach the promise land, the women play a very special role in which they are distinct and contribute something to the Joad family and to the world. The most authoritative figure is Ma Joad.
She is a very strong southern woman whom the whole family looks upon for support. Ma is a lady who is both strong mentally and physically. Her understanding is acknowledged by the rest of the family to be supreme. Of her emotional strength Tom says. Her hazel eyes seemed to know, to accept, to welcome her position, the citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken. (95) The family felt what Ma felt and let her emotions be in control. And since, when a joyful thing happened, they looked to see whether joy was on her. (95) Because of this she kept strong.
She always wants happiness for everyone in the family, that s why she stays strong. Ma knew that if she were to weak the whole family would fall apart. She realizes that they have no home and that the only value and meaning in life is that which they derive from being a family. She keeps the two cars together so they will not be separated and she forces decisions to be made for the benefit of the family. She understands the inner need of each individual member. Ma is to the family as pillars are to a building; if the pillar is weak, the building will soon collapse when anything afflicts it.
Even until the end the whole family eventually does fall apart, she still stays strong. It is not because of her weakness that the family falls apart, it is because she allows them to live their own lives according to the way they want to and does not restrict them. Grandma is very religious. Her religion is a strange one where one comes to think that it is only to annoy Grandpa. Grandma and Grandpa Joad are depicted as a delightful couple.
They seem to thrive on quarreling and fighting and competing. There is a strong attraction between them, but neither would admit it. At the time of Grandpa s death, her religion is characterized by the phrase when Can won t pray and says to him, Pray goddamn you, pray. She seemed to take her strength from arguing and competing with Grandpa, so she does not live long after Grandpa s death. In the beginning of the novel, Rose of Sharon, is searching for romance and beauty in life, although she is sick most of the time. During her pregnancy, she got very irritable.
Because of the unfortunate birth of a little blue mummy due to undernourishment, she realizes the fullness of life. In the end, she is seen giving life to a starving man. This was her first action in which she is not concerned about herself. The contributions of the Joad women towards the family and the world is appreciated greatly. Each of them contributed differently and they were all looked upon for answers.
They were all struggling to live in an ever changing world. These contributions make them the extraordinary people that they are. Fear the time when Manself will not suffer and die for a concept, for this one quality is the foundation of Manself, and this one quality is man, distinctive in the universe.
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Research essay sample on Grapes Of Wrath Joad Family
