Throughout the story Ma is a model of the strength of the human spirit. For example, Steinbeck says of her, "if she swayed the family shook, and if she ever really deeply wavered or despaired the family would fall, the family will to function would be gone". She is the foundation upon which the rest of the family stands. Just as when a single driblet of dye is dropped into a glass of water and disperses throughout, her strength permeates to the rest of the family, infusing them with her mightiness. Also, when the Wilsons' car breaks down and Pa proposes splitting up just for

Rose of Sharon on the other hand shows the sacrifice the Joads and the rest of the Okies had to endure. For example, while they are driving to California she tells Ma of her and Connie's desire to live in a house with a white fence and have an icebox and go to the movies every day. While Rose of Sharon's dream is ended by Connie's desertion what she describes is also the shattered dream of every other Okie family who came west in search of a better life. Her loss is not personal, but universal. Also, she works in the field with the rest of the family picking peaches and cotton while pregnant. She is voluntarily risking the health and well being of her unborn child to help the health and well being of her family. She is risking her greatest treasure, her baby, to try to ensure that her family will endure. In addition, she offers her breast to a dying man to save his life. This is the ultimate gift, o

Some common words found in the essay are:
Rose Sharon, Rose Sharon's, Ma Connie's, rest family, rose sharon, rose sharon's, ma's strength,
Approximate Word count = 614
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)