Ma Joad is the backbone character. Vlcek writes, "...Ma's primary obligation is to take care of her family, to provide them with nourishment, comfort, healing, and support" (82). She is emotionally strong. The family looks to her for emotional support and also how to react in some situations. When the family needs to cross the border and Grandma is very ill, she yells at the officer

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Approximate Word count = 395
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)