Ma Joad
John Steinbeck uses good characterization in The Grapes of Wrath. One in particular, is Ma Joad. She is the backbone of the family whose main goal is to keep her family together and safe.Ma Joad is the backbone character. Vlcek writes, "...Ma's primary obligation is to take care of her family, to provide them with nourishment, comfort, healing, and support" (82). She is emotionally strong. The family looks to her for emotional support and also how to react in some situations. When the family needs to cross the border and Grandma is very ill, she yells at the officer
She sticks up for her family at any expense. At this, Ma stands up and will not let it happen. California: IDG Books Worldwide, Inc, 2000. Ma does not necessarily want to be the leader of the family. She threatens the family with a jack handle and surprises them all, so they stay together. Steinbeck creates a strong, central character in this book and does a nice job in describing her. Tom said, 'Jesus Christ! You layin' there with her all night long!''The fambly hadda get acrost,' Ma said miserably. She threatens an officer just to keep Tom calm and out of trouble. Vlcek says, "While camped at the Colorado River, she wields a skillet when confronting an officer who orders the family to leave, although her greatest concern is that he will anger Tom"(83). Cliffs Notes Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.
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