The Grapes of Wrath: Character Roles & Responsibilities
John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath portrays the different ways in which the central characters illustrate the various roles and responsibilities of the individual and society. During the course of the novel the Joads move from a concern only for themselves and their personal welfare to a concern for all the people of the world. Tom Joad moves from a strictly independent way of thinking only for his own comfort to a devotion to his family, and finally moves away from his family and accepts the world as his family. Ma Joad is shown to be the figure keeping the family together, and as the novel progresses she begins to become part of a larger human family. Lastly, Rose of Sharon is first only concerned about the welfare of herself and her unborn child and by the end of the novel her role is expanded and part of the struggle of mankind. Tom Joad appears to be the main protagonist and central character, and perhaps the one who develops most and survives in the novel. At the beginning of the novel, he is a sensitive, kind and communicative person. He can be referred to as being individualistic and quick to anger if he feels he is being pushed around. Tom focuses on his own personal and material well-being and of course, the welfar
A determined and loving woman, Ma Joad emerges as the family's center of strength over the course of the novel. Ma is shown to be the most authoritative and strong figure in the family, whom the whole family looks upon for support. Ma knew that if she ever showed fear or despair, and if she ever fluctuated away from perfect control, the entire family would collapse. Thus, she maintained a front before the family that never faltered. Ever since the family traveled to California, she slowly began to take charge. This was first seen when Tom, Ma's son, suggested that the family continue driving while he and Jim Casy, the preacher, stayed behind to fix the Wilson's (a family the Joads met on their way to California) automobile. Ma Joad was furious with this idea and felt that the family should not separate at such a crucial time and must stick together no matter what the consequences are. Another example of her leadership was when Ma made a decision without consulting the family. As soon as she heard that there was a job north of California, she decides to go and does not care what the pay is. Ma chose to take command and motivate her family in every possible way. The expansion of Ma's role beyond her family is clearly expressed in The Grapes of Wrath. In the beginning in Ma's every action, there is concern for her own family and when the occasion arises, she extends herself to help other people. An instance of Ma's sympathetic attitude towards people other than her family was when she comforts the Wilsons and forces them to accept money and food when they are parting. Another instance of Ma's extended concern is at the first camp in California when there is not enough food to feed their family, Ma still leaves some food in the bottom of the pot for some strange starving children, who had been standing around. Adding to Ma's consistent unselfish attitude throughout the novel is when she wordlessly directs her daughter to breast-feed the starving man. With her indomitable nature, Ma Joad suggests that even the most horrible circumstances can
Some common words found in the essay are:
Rose Sharon, Ma Joad, Jim Casy, Grapes Wrath, Jim Casy's, Tom Joad, West Joads, Rose Sharon's, Adding Ma's, rose sharon, Tom Ma's, ma joad, jim casy, course novel, unborn child, novel rose, novel rose sharon, milk unborn baby, view humanity, tom joad, novel ma, instance ma's,
Approximate Word count = 1389
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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