... novel, The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. In an effort to migrate to California, Ma struggles to keep the family together. Since the Joad family has been taken away from their home, Pa Joad lost all hope for the family. Evidently, Ma took over as a leader, a mediator, and finally as a mother. She portrays her ... to others as well. She finds it most important to never give up and to always move on no matter what. Her determination keeps the Joad family together. Ma's ultimate goal is to keep the family together as one. While being occupied by Grandma's sickness, Noah decides to stay...

• Word Count: 753
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... in jerks-- woman, it's all one flow, like a stream- These were the wise words spoken by Ma Joad in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Ma Joad is the main character in Steinbeck's novel. Every aspect of Ma exudes strength and comfortableness. Steinbeck describes her as being "heavy, but not fat; thick with child bearing ... it was controlled, kindly. Her hazel eyes seemed to have mounted pain and suffering like steps into a high calm and superhuman understanding." (pg. 95) Ma is the families" pillar of strength; the battery that powers the family. "She seemed to know, to accept, to welc...

• Word Count: 519
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... family. At the stage he is at in the first part of the novel, Tom is only concerned with his own wants and desires. These attributes of Tom Joad can be seen through his interactions with some of his family members and some of the other families he comes in contact with along their trek to California, ... it more. When Tom and his family finally reach California, Tom has many experiences that compel him to change from his selfish ways, and more interactions with his Ma and Jim Casy seem to further his desire to become reborn. When Tom meets Jim during the strike at Hooper Ranch, Casy tell...

• Word Count: 953
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... the decision to move out to California in hopes of jobs and money. When Grandpa Joad died, the strong bond that existed between the Joad family and the land was destroyed. When he refused the leave, the Joad family drugged him in order to take him along. His bond with the land seemed ... the Wilson's adhering to Jim Casey's "one big soul" theory. The second death that he used was that of Grandma Joad. Her death was significant because it brought about the respect for Ma Joad as a strong leader in the family. She lied to the boarder patrol in order to make sure her family got across ......

• Word Count: 554
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... at the start of the novel. It is this concern that illustrates Rose of Sharon's transformation from misfit to Madonna through the Joad's journey. Rose of Sharon incessantly asks Ma Joad if "it"ll hurt the baby" throughout a majority of the novel, and adopts an attitude of superiority over others with ... her precious possession. She all but refuses to help the family pack the truck for California for fear of disturbing her fetus, even though she knows her help is needed. Her selfish antics and complaints are patiently absorbed by Ma ... no longer find comfort in shared thoughts of a whit...

• Word Count: 678
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... the start of the novel. It is this concern that illustrates Rose of Sharon's transformation from misfit to Madonna through the Joad's journey. Rose of Sharon incessantly asks Ma Joad ifit?ll hurt the baby? throughout a majority of the novel, and adopts an attitude of superiority over others with her ... precious possession. She all but refuses to help the family pack the truck for California for fear of disturbing her fetus, even though she knows her help is needed. Her selfish antics and complaints are patiently absorbed by Ma ... no longer find comfort in shared thoughts of a white-pi...

• Word Count: 679
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... his mom he should leave so he doesn't bring more hardship to the family. On page 390 the books says, "Ma I have to go or you"ll all be in trouble cause of me. I"m sorry I dun" it ma I couldn't help myself." His mother came out to his hiding spot to give him food. And she found him ... almost crying because of all the trouble he is causing. On page 403 the book says "Ma, maybe I should just leave. I could make it on my own. I don't want to cause you any more trouble." He just said he was going to ... He regrets his mistake so much he decides to leave his family. Lastly, Tom reacts by tot...

• Word Count: 490
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... strong sacrifice and strength through the use of the characters Ma Joad and Rose of Sharon. These two characters represent the need for a feeling of unity and the desperation faced by so many people world-wide who struggle for survival. Throughout the novel, Ma Joad portrays the strength that many people fight to keep in ... hard times. Ma is seen as the foundation upon which the other family members stand and therefore, "if she swayed the family shook, ... gone" (p. 100). Her strength is so strong that it is dispersed throughout the rest of the family which in turn strengthens them as ...

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... and one will notice that the novel repeatedly reflects on how love was perceived to him. In The Grapes of Wrath, fate is terribly cruel to the Joad family. A massive drought, which brought about a non-producing farm, caused them to have to move from their homeland in Oklahoma in search of a new ... ran down the dog. The pain they suffer on the journey opens their eyes to the harsh world around them. Although it was tough, the Joad family also experiences a time of growth through their journey as well. They realize after the many tragedies and deaths that they had to endure along ... Stei...

• Word Count: 1139
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... of Wrath is a novel by John Steinbeck; it tells a story about the struggles of migrant farmers during the Great Depression. The book tells a story about the Joad's, the main family in the book, struggle during these tough times. In the book many of the characters change due to the troubles that they experience. In the ... They have to sell all of their belongings to get money for the trip. Granpa gets second thoughts before they leave and decides he is going to stay. Ma drugs him and they carry him to the car. The first night they stay by the Wilson's. Their car has broken down and the ...

• Word Count: 988
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... becomes short. Like most of the western farmers, they pack up and move to California. During the long, hard trip many members of the family begin to change. Ma is one of the first who changes. When the book began, she behaved like a traditional housewife, taking care of the children and cooking and keeping quiet while ... the family wants to split up, she revolts. She takes a jack handle and threatens Pa. Pa lets her have her way. Now through the rest of the book, Ma is the head of the family. She tells the Joads what is going to be done and where they're going. "Pa sniffled, " Seems lik...

• Word Count: 554
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• Grade Level: High School

... many reach for and the hidden consequences under that skin of beauty. "The Grapes of Wrath" tells a story of spirit, strength, and unity the Joad family needs in order to live through the fury of their journey to reach their dreams. Throughout the movie the characters themselves represent these characteristics and show us ... truly what "The Grapes of Wrath" stands for. The Joad family set out on a journey not knowing what to look for like many historians of the past. For example when Columbus set out to explore that ... of plenty and what they were to do with them when they got to Cali...

• Word Count: 620
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• Grade Level: High School

... 1940. The director, John Ford, decided to change the ending when putting this film together. In the movie version, "The Grapes of Wrath", it shows the, Joad's family, packing up their things and heading to a farm where there is supposedly twenty days worth of work, picking cotton. The overall mood seems to be upbeat ... and sprits seem to be high. The Joad's left a government provided camp of sort in order to take a chance on this twenty day cotton picking journey. Tom, the oldest son, has just left the ... nearby river swelling from the amount of rain that is falling. If the river swel...

• Word Count: 752
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... in The Grapes of Wrath however, is overt. "Too often, we feel him at our elbow, explaining, interpreting, interfering with our own independent impressions. And there are moments at which Ma Joad and Casy "otherwise such substantial figures "seem to fade into mere mouthpieces, as the author's voice comes through, like another station on the radio (Bloom's 28)."" This quote ... supporting details in his critical analysis. His points could have yielded more credibility if he had included critical details such as a quote from the novel proving his argument in which Ma Joad and Casy were no ...

• Word Count: 669
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• Has Bibliography

... eat the stuff they raise an" live in the houses they build-why, I"ll be there" (Steinbeck 572). Text-to-Self Connection Tom Joad is leaving the rest of the family and he is having a parting word with Ma Joad. Tom is saying that he will right the wrongs wherever he can. He will help all those who need helping. This is quite ... ...

• Word Count: 832
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... Joads and every other migrant family in the Midwest. In the Grapes of Wrath, many of the Joads" relationships grew, while many were torn apart, and several enemies evolved. The Joad family traveled thousands of miles together and their bonds strengthened as a result. The family had to work as one in order to survive the journey, but by the end of ... camp provided a roof over each family's head in a small boxcar. Lastly, the barn in the last chapter from the book provided refuge from the rain for Rose of Sharon and Ma. Whether luxurious or derisory, the Joads" adapted to their several d...

• Word Count: 787
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School