Gender In John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

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In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck focuses greatly on the roles of gender in a family setting. At the beginning of the novel, Ma Joad is portrayed as a submissive housewife who stands by her husband and looks after her children. During the family’s grueling journey, Ma Joad takes charge, becomes the leader of the group, and makes the decisions. During times of struggle, women must take a stand and make decisions that would best benefit their family.
In Oklahoma during the 1930’s, farmers were burdened by the lack of rain to nourish the crops and the overwhelming amount of dust consuming the land. “In the morning the dust hung like fog, and the sun was as red as ripe new blood… An even blanket covered the earth” (Steinbeck 3). If the crops …show more content…
Rosasharn, Ma’s daughter, and her husband, Connie, plan to separate from the family once they reach California. “For a moment a little worry came on Ma’s face. ‘Ain’t you gonna stay with us-with the family?”’ (Steinbeck 164). Ma expressed her disapproval to Rose of Sharon and longed for the Joad family to stick together. When the Wilson’s car broke down, Tom, Al, and Casy offered to stay behind and work on the truck. Tom insisted that the family should continue to California without them, and that they would eventually meet up with the family again. Pa Joad went along with the idea, until Ma took a stand and refused to leave without the rest of the family. Ma Joad picked up a jack handle, threatened Pa, and said that the family must stay together. “And now Ma’s mouth was set hard. She said softly,’On’y way you gonna get me to go is whup me’. She moved the jack handle gently again. ‘An’ I’ll shame you, Pa.’” (Steinbeck 168). Pa did not get angry over Ma’s revolt against him and a compromise was made so that the family would not have to separate. “The eyes of the whole family shifted back to Ma. She was the power. She had taken control.” (Steinbeck 169). During this time of trouble, Ma took charge and spoke out about her beliefs. Her mission was accomplished and the family stayed together on the journey to
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