What does Ma Joad symbolize in The Grapes of Wrath?

What does Ma Joad symbolize in The Grapes of Wrath?

Ma represents the “citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken.” Because she is stronger than Pa is, she becomes the guiding force behind the family. She is always calm and controlled in her emotional reactions.

What is Ma’s role in the family Grapes of Wrath?

The emotional and physical backbone of the family, Ma’s primary obligation is to take care of her family, to provide them with nourishment, comfort, healing, and support. Her family will only know fear and pain through her, so she works hard to deny these emotions in herself.

What makes Ma Joad the core and strength of the family?

What makes Ma Joad the core and strength of the family? When she shows joy the family is happy. Is she shows hurt they are sad. She is a healer and arbiter and holds herself calm knowing that if she falters the family’s will to go on would be lost.

What does it mean that Ma is the citadel of the family 100?

She seemed to know, to accept, to welcome her position, the citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken” (100). The position Ma is in is not effortless. She puts in a great deal of effort to remain the rock of the family, even though she has lost her many possessions.

What kind of person is Ma Joad?

Ma Joad, the family bulwark, keeps the Joads rolling along Route 66 and beyond. Ma is a feminist — feisty, strong, loving, resilient — and the kind of leader, then and now, who might guide the nation’s jalopy through difficult times. “Woman got all her life in her arms.

Who was Ma Joad?

A determined and loving woman, Ma Joad emerges as the family’s center of strength over the course of the novel as Pa Joad gradually becomes less effective as a leader and provider. Regardless of how bleak circumstances become, Ma Joad meets every obstacle unflinchingly.

Who is Ma Joad?

Ma Joad, the family bulwark, keeps the Joads rolling along Route 66 and beyond. Ma is a feminist — feisty, strong, loving, resilient — and the kind of leader, then and now, who might guide the nation’s jalopy through difficult times.

Who is Ma in The Grapes of Wrath?

What do Ma’s anxieties about California reveal about her?

What do Ma’s anxieties about California reveal about her? She is not stupid or naive; since going West seems to be the only thing to do, she adopts Tom’s philosophy by taking one day at a time.

What did Ma Joad do?

Who is the leader of the Joad family?

Tom Joad: the protagonist of the story; the Joad family’s second son, named after his father. Later, Tom takes leadership of the family, even though he is young. Ma Joad: the Joad family matriarch.

How many kids does Ma Joad have?

Ruthie and Winfield Ruthie is Ma and Pa Joad’s 12-year old daughter, and Winfield is their 10-year old Son. They are almost always together, and the phrase ”Ruthie and Winfield” is repeated over 40 times in the book. Ruthie and Winfield interact with their family as we would expect children to.