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:.
I was afraid we wouldn" get acrost. I tol" Granma we couldn" he"p her. The fambly had ta get acrost. I tol" her, tol" her when she was a-dyin". We couldn" stop in the desert. There was the young ones-an" Rosasharn's baby. I tol" her. She can get buried in a nice green place. Trees around" an" a nice place. She got to lay her head down in California. (311).
After listening to Ma Joad, Casy is filled with admiration for Ma's extraordinary strength and persistence: "All night long an" she was alone there's a woman so great with love-she scares me. Makes me afraid an" mean" (313). This portrays the magnitude of Ma's strength and determination in preserving family unity in spite of poverty and adversity.
