Character Analysis
Mason 1
Aliisa Mason
Professor Lewis
ENG102-AI
23 February 2014
Ma Joad Character Analysis
The Grapes of Wrath is a story about family and hardships during the time of the Great
Depression. The story follows the Joad family as they search for jobs out west after being forced out of their home in Oklahoma. The Joad’s are challenged. They have hardly any money and jobs are very scarce. Throughout the novel the family struggles but towards the end it is evident that times may be changing. Ma Joad was the heart and soul of the family. She kept the family together with her strength, compassion and optimism.
Ma Joad’s strength is what helped the family survive. Whenever she was told by someone that they were planning on leaving she would not allow it. She wanted to keep the family together because that is the only way they would be able to live through these terrible times. Ma Joad is really the backbone of the family. When Rosasharn was getting worried about her baby, Ma Joad was there for her and helped reassure her that everything would be alright. Tom Joad suggested that him and Casy should stay behind and fix the Wilson’s car and they will catch up with the family later. Ma shows her strength when she does not allow it to happen. She stood her ground against Pa and says, “I ain’t a-gonna go.” (Steinbeck 168). Ma didn’t want the family to split up because of the bitter road ahead.
She continues by saying, “What we got lef’ in the worl’? Nothin’ but us. Nothin’ but the folks”
(Steinbeck 169). Ma proves to be a strong and powerful woman that will stand her ground and make sure that the family sticks together.
Mason 2
Ma Joad is also a very compassionate woman.
Aliisa Mason
Professor Lewis
ENG102-AI
23 February 2014
Ma Joad Character Analysis
The Grapes of Wrath is a story about family and hardships during the time of the Great
Depression. The story follows the Joad family as they search for jobs out west after being forced out of their home in Oklahoma. The Joad’s are challenged. They have hardly any money and jobs are very scarce. Throughout the novel the family struggles but towards the end it is evident that times may be changing. Ma Joad was the heart and soul of the family. She kept the family together with her strength, compassion and optimism.
Ma Joad’s strength is what helped the family survive. Whenever she was told by someone that they were planning on leaving she would not allow it. She wanted to keep the family together because that is the only way they would be able to live through these terrible times. Ma Joad is really the backbone of the family. When Rosasharn was getting worried about her baby, Ma Joad was there for her and helped reassure her that everything would be alright. Tom Joad suggested that him and Casy should stay behind and fix the Wilson’s car and they will catch up with the family later. Ma shows her strength when she does not allow it to happen. She stood her ground against Pa and says, “I ain’t a-gonna go.” (Steinbeck 168). Ma didn’t want the family to split up because of the bitter road ahead.
She continues by saying, “What we got lef’ in the worl’? Nothin’ but us. Nothin’ but the folks”
(Steinbeck 169). Ma proves to be a strong and powerful woman that will stand her ground and make sure that the family sticks together.
Mason 2
Ma Joad is also a very compassionate woman.