The most authoritative figure is Ma Joad. She is a very strong southern woman whom the whole family looks upon for support. Ma is a lady who is both strong mentally and physically. Her understanding is acknowledged by the rest of the family to b

The family felt what Ma felt and let her emotions be in control. "And since, when a joyful thing happened, they looked to see whether joy was on her." (95) Because of this she kept strong. She always wants happiness for everyone in the family, that's why she stays strong. Ma knew that if she were to weak the whole family would fall apart.

She realizes that they have no home and that the only value and meaning in life is that which they derive from being a family. She keeps the two cars together so they will not be separated and she forces decisions to be made for the benefit of the family. She understands the inner need of each individual member. Ma is to the family as pillars are to a building; if the pillar is weak, the building will soon collapse when anything afflicts it. Even until the end the whole family eventually does fall apart, she still stays strong. It is not because of her weakness that the family falls apart, it is because she allows them to live their own lives according to the way they want

Some common words found in the essay are:
Ma Joad, Grapes Wrath, Rose Sharon, Grandpa Joad, Fear Manself, John Steinbeck's, stays strong, grandpa's death, family world, fall apart, grapes wrath, joad family,
Approximate Word count = 693
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)