From the beginning, Steinbeck immediately establishes Ma Joad as the center building block of family unity. When Tom first sees his mother for the first time since his imprisonment, she is described as “the citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken…She seemed to know that if she swayed the family shook, and if she ever really deeply wavered or despaired the family would fall, the family will to function would be gone” (100). Literally, Ma is portrayed as the irreplaceable guiding force behind the family. She knows and willingly accepts the important role of being an agent of family unity. Ma demonstrates her leadership ability by wisely acknowledging the fact that she cannot give in, show weakness, or allow any event to alter her judgment for it would cause the family to deteriorate: “Since old Tom and the children could not know hurt

Throughout the novel, Ma is determined to protect the unity of the family and preserve a positive outlook regarding life in California. Ma realizes that in their migrant way of life, family is the only thing that is important and valuable. When the Wilsons’ car breaks down on their difficult journey to California, Tom suggests that the families continue traveling separately while him and Jim Casy stay behind to fix the car and catch up with them later. As expected, Ma refuses to accept Tom’s proposal, thus exhibiting her devotion to family unity rather then fragmentation. She does not want to leave them behind for she fears that they would never see Tom and Casy on the road or in California. As a result, she grabs hold of a jack-handle, steps in front of the truck to block it, and threatens to fight anyone who gets in her way, especially Pa. In her revolt, Ma pleads for the family members to maintain as a single unit because they have nothing left in the world except their family: “What we got lef’ in the worl’? Nothin’ but the folks…The money we’d make wouldn’t do no good. All we got is the family unbroke” (230-231). As a result of Ma’s adamant protest, the group is able to stay intact and continue on their journey. Tom later admits that he was glad that Ma didn’t accept his proposal to go ahead. Ma’s fortitude and determination to keep her family together is further revealed through her deep concern for the family as they cross the desert into California. She is afraid the family wouldn’t get across. Consequently, Ma decides to not tell anybody that Granma has died in the back of the truck and stays with the dead body for an entire night:

Because Ma Joad is thoroughly familiar with the personality of each member and treats them accordingly, she is able to effectively manage the family. Ma understands the nature of all the people in the house, especially that of Pa and Tom. Knowing that men needs to be driven into action, Ma purposely incites Pa into madness and anger so that he’ll go to Marysville to find work: “If you can take an’ make ’im mad, why, he’ll be awright. Pa, he didn’ say nothing’, but he’s mad now. He ain’t beat

Some topics in this essay:
Ma Joad, Tom Knowing, Joad Casy, Tom Casy, Literally Ma, Uncle John, Consequently Ma, Hoversville Tom, Jim Casy, California Throughout, family unity, ma joad, geographical displacement economic, adapt changing environment, extraordinary strength, action ma, ma understands, ma’s extraordinary, ma’s extraordinary strength, unity ma, inability adapt changing, strenuous journey, family unity ma, accordingly able, journey california,