In the Grapes of Wrath ma exhibits the most strength. Throughout the novel she is the "glue" that holds the family together. At the beginning she convinces everyone who doesnt want to go, to go so that they can be a family together. She comforts those that are experiencing diffuclties and makes sure everyone is provided for the best she can. Throughout history we see that the man of the household would have been the "glue" of the family, but in the Grapes of Wrath the situation is different and we see ma is the glue and shows the most stregth by putting everyone else first and making sure they have what they need and by not having serious break downs like everyone else on their journey.
I believe that Ma was the strongest character in The Grapes of Wrath. It the novel Ma says, "Besides, us folks takes a pride in holdin' in. My Pa used to say, 'Anybody can break down. It takes a man not to.'" (141) Ma is the stronghold in the family. She always tells the family to hold on and to not break down. Ma has faith that the family will survive the migration and she never loses this faith even when family members die and the family begins to split apart. Ma held together after Grampa's and Granma's deathes, after Tom left to finish out Casy's works, and Al remained with the Wainwrights. Ma was the only one to remain strong because others would let go of reality in some instances. One example is Uncle John; He would go out and get drunk when life became too stressful for him. The others also had a way of getting away from the actuality of things, but Ma was the only one who truly held on too reality.
In Grapes of Wrath, Ma Joad exhibits the most strength. Ma keeps the family together and never runs away from obstacles thoughout the novel. As Steinbeck writes,"[Ma] seemed to know, to accept, to welcome her position, the citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken" (pg.74). She is the stronghold of the Joads. From the beginning of the novel, Ma solves the family's problems and is the "father" of the Joads; she is the leader who makes important decision. She does not let the grandparents death stop the family from reaching California. On the treacherous journey to the West, Ma Joad holds the family together and has confidence of making it to the safe West.
I agree with Katrina and Danielle. I do think that Ma is the strongest character. When the family finally gets through the desert of California and Ma discovers that Granma had died, she shows how strong she is. She didn't make a big deal about it like most people would. Knowles writes, "Ma brushed her hair back with her hand. Her jaw tightened. " We got to git."(241) By her not breaking down, on the outside, like any normal woman would do it shows how much strength she has and how much she wants to take care of her family and not worry about herself.
I believe that Ma Joad is the strongest character. Steinbeck writes,"Her full face was not soft; it was controlled, kindly. Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tradegy..."(79).She's the stronghold, or the "glue" as Katrina said, of the family. When Pa begins to decline as the leader, Ma takes over. She is determined to keep everyone's hopes up and to keep the family together when they are forced to move. Ma faces every obstacle they face without fear or indecision. This is shown best when they are crossing the desert and Granma dies. Ma keeps this to herself so as not to worry the family so that they can finish their journey and stay together.
While I agree with the opinions of Danielle, Sneha, and others in that Ma is a central strength, I believe Rose of Sharon displayed the ultimate act of strength. Through the novel, a journey takes place within herself as she transforms from an immature girl into a mysterious woman. Rose of Sharon seems to rely on the reassurance of Ma throughout their journey. However, when she comes in contact with the dying man, she does not have to be told what to do. "She said 'Yes.'(pg. 454)". Rose of Sharon has just experienced death where life should be present. However, she willingly gives of herself to give the gift of life to a stranger. This act shows tremendous strength, as she has put aside self-pity and hurt to complete Steinbeck's cylce of suffering, death, and rebirth.
I agree with what most everyone else has said about Ma having the most strength in The Grapes of Wrath. She may not have the strongest physically, but she seems to mentally and emotionally. In a male dominant society where the man of the house made all the decisions, Ma broke the normal and she became the leader of the family. On page 169 it even says, "The eyes of the whole family shifted back to Ma. She was the power. She had taken control." She took charge when the car broke down in Chapter 16 and threatened to hit Pa with a jack handle if they didn't stick together. In Chapter 26 on page 352 Pa even says, "Seems like times is changed. Time was when a man said what we'd do. Seems like women is tellin' now." Ma held the family together the best she could. She made sensible decisions and everyone turned to her to see what they would do next.
In the Grapes of Wrath, I believe Ma Joad is the strongest memeber of the Joad family. She has to hide her emotions to be strong for the whole family. The family always turns to her for advice or help. She may be a stern woman, but she shows that she wants whats best for families other than her own. On page 169, it says: Ma's face softened, but her eyes were still fierce." This just shows that she is trying to be strong for her family.
I agree with karaa in that Rose of Sharon showed the most strength. Rose of Sharon went through many struggles on their journey to California. The first trial was having a baby growing in her womb. That alone took alot of strength to overcome. Then Connie left and Sharon had to rely more on herself. Rose of Sharon showed the most stregth when she fed the dying man in the barn. That took strength and courage to feed someone she didn't even know.
I think that I agree with everone else, where Ma is the strongest character in the novel. when things go wrong in the novel, Ma takes over and leads the family . When something she doea not like happens, she makes sure everyone knows it. She is the one to make sure Tom has money when he finally has to leave.She makes sure the family is fed very night and does everything in her power to better the situaton.
I believe along with the many others that Ma is the essence of strength in The Grapes of Wrath.
Although there were many examples of her's and other people's strength, one of the most dramatic is the sacrifice of riding in the back of the truck, with grandma dead beside her. Her strength is also shown in many other passages as when she has to let go of Tom, towards the end, for his good; even though it would cause more of the family to separate. I agree with the many people that have said her strength was keeping the family together, but i think is also the loss of her family and the strength to cope and focus, for the good of the remaining members.
In the novel The Grapes of Wrath I believe that Ma Joad is the strongest member of the family. Steinbeck refers to her as the "backbone" on the family on a few different occasions. For example when the car breaks down in chapter 16, instead of becoming extremely mad and frustrated she tells Al it is okay and that he had tried his best. Another example is when the Joads arrived in California and Grandma died, but the rest of the family did not because she cares more of the well being of the family rather than telling everyone and killing the happy mood they had established. The novel also shows that Ma takes care of the family even when she really cant. For Example, when Tom is forced to depart from the family after he kills the cop, she gives him the rest of the money so that he could survive on his own.
(kaylah) Along with the mojority of the comments, Ma Joad demonstrates strength in many occasions, however the way i envisioned this novel was Jim Casey demonstrating the most strength. Jim Casey was a preacher and saw that he was doing wrong, and left the church. Some people might see this as him being a coward, however he was man enough to admit his mistakes and stop living a hyprocritical life. Towards the end of the novel, he shows strength once again in the event of fighting for what he believed was right. He ultimately takes blame for a killing Tom did and faces the consequence of death. I'm not sure if anyone else views him illustrating the most strength, however I don't believe anyone can say that he isn't a strong character.
While almost everyone else seems to be taking the side that Ma Joad is the strongest character in "The Grapes of Wrath", I saw it differently. I believe Noah exhibits the most strength as he abandons the family in chapter eighteen. As paradoxical as it may sound, to me it makes perfect sense. Noah leaves the family, a stronghold, to go out on his own. As we discussed in class, Noah may sense a flood is coming, like the Noah of the Bible. By going off on his own, Noah shows us his individual strength.
Most people have said that Ma Joad was the strongest character in the novel and I too agree with this statement. Ma Joad was the backbone of the entire family. Her character was the driving force behind them which in turn allowed them to make it to California. If she had not acted in such a strong, positive manner, the family would not of had the hope or drive to reach "the land of promise." On page 74, Knowles writes, "Ma was heavy, but not fat; thick with child-bearing and work...and her strong, broad, bare feet moved quickly and deftly over the floor...Strong, freckled arms...hands were chubby and delicate...hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy and to have mounted pain and suffering like steps into a high calm and superhuman understanding." Ma is described this way to show all her strength and her experience as a mother and her ability to overcome and except hard times. She has been through hard times and is full of wisdom that binds the family together.
I agree with heatherh. Ma is not the strongest physically but she is mentally and emotionally. After Granma dies on page 310 Ma says, "We got to find a place to stay. We got to work an' settle down." Ma isn't going to let the family turn back just because they were faced with some obstacles. She helps hold the family together and she is the reason the family didn't give up.
I believe Tom Joad was the strongest character in the GOW. Tom's morals and values are called upon time and time again throughout the book, and each time he rose to the occasion. He found work, even if it didn't last long, for money for his family. He risked re-imprisonment to go to CA with his family. He punched a cop protecting the weak people of the weed patch camp. He killed a cop for Casey. Tom Joad clearly defended what he thought was right, even if it meant putting himself in harm's way.
I believe, along with Kara and Rachel, that Rose of Sharon is the strongest character in The Grapes of Wrath. She is the strongest because she was pregnant and her husband left her in the middle of her pregnancy. She is also strong because even though her baby was a still born she did not sulk on it but used the baby's death to help other people like the man in the barn. This act shows how she contributes to the theme of individualism and group cohesion.
In the Grapes of Wrath i would agree with all the people that said Ma Joad showed the most strength. When grandma died she was imperturbable. Ma is the leader she is always taking charge. She would be the one that wears the pants in the family, even though pa is the man and contributes a great deal. Ma has something the others dont have. She is aways stating her opinion and helping in everyway she knows how. Ma has to be strong for the family because they are all looking up to her. Without ma the family would fall apart!
I agree with basically everyone, I think that Ma shows the most strength. In the beginning of the novel, Ma shows strength by burning here jewelry box, which symbolizes she is ready to forget the past, and move on with life. When Granpa dies, she says, “Anybody can break down. It takes a man not to.” This shows how she lives her life, only showing her strength, and hiding all other emotions. When Granma dies when the family is going through the desert, Ma keeps it to herself. She does this so that the whole family doesn’t have to feel sad, because the already have so much to deal with.
I believe that Muley was the strongest person in The Grapes of Wrath. He stays in his home town when all of his family leaves. He has little food and is the hunted instead of the hunter. He was the only person to refuse to leave in the entire community. Many people would see this is stubborn, but I see it as him standing up against "the monster" which no one else did except for Tom and Jim Casy, toward the end of the novel.
I agree that Ma shows great strenght throughout the novel, but I also believe Jim Casy exhibits great strength. Not only does he give up being a preacher because of his new found beliefs (chapter 8), but he also stands up for Tom and goes to jail in his place (chapter 26), which is symbolic of his representation as a Christ figure.
I strongly agree with Kelseyh. Ma Joad is also a strong character but Jim Casy plays a lead role in keeping the family close. In chapter thirteen grandpa dies, and the first person they lean on is Jim. They wanted him to pray for grandpa and he didn't want to. When it became apparent he didn't want to the family didn't stop asking him to do it. It's almost as if they needed Jim to help the family move on.
I think that Ma is the strongest character. She hides her emotions, and throughout the novel she never stops believing that her family will make it to California. She is emotionally strong and the leader of the family.
I agree with what almost everyone is saying, that ma joad is the strongest character in the book.Like katarina siad she is the glue that holds the family together.She makes sure that everyone is provided for and even helps people who she just met such as the children at the government camp.Also when grandma joad died on the way to california she tells no one because she does not want to ruin their happiness.As she states on pg.141 "anybody can break down.It takes aman to hold it in." ma never breaks down even in the worst situations.If she did the entire family would fall apart.
I agree that Ma, Rose of Sharon, Jim Casy, and Tom exemplifies great strength. However, I appreciate the point Miles made concerning Muley. It would have taken an abundant amount of strength and self-assurance to stay behind in his hometown. Especially after his land was taken from him and his family had moved to Califorina. He lives by killing/hunting his own food, and he found a cave that he could sleep out of (chapter 6). Also, his life would have been challenging if he began to think of how prosperous his family was becoming in California. The handbills gave everyone the impression that they could make extra money. However, Muley couldn't know there wasn't enough work in California because he never heard from his family.
Reading everyone's replies about other characters being the strongest I'm beginning to think that Ma isn't so strong. Sure, she appears strong and her intentions towards the family are good, but how do you think this traveling and the family breaking up makes her feel? How can somebody be strong, emotionally, when their family is falling apart? They can't. Although she appears strong to the rest of her family, she must be torn inside. The only reason others are saying she is strong is because of her determination to get to California, which could be mistaken as strenth.
In my opinion, the strongest person in "The Grapes of Wrath" is Jim Casy. He is constanly standing up for who and what he believes in, even if it did result in his death.
I agree with pretty much everyone that said, Ma Joad. She has been through some of the greatest tragedies anyone could go through. She did not fall apart when Grandpa and Grandma Joad passed away and how she was there helping bring one of her own grandchildren into the world and had to tell her daughter that the baby was stillborn.
Alrighty, well I agree with Mclovin' (a.k.a. Tanner). Mostly everyone has gone with Ma and while she is a strong character and leads the family, I am going with Tom. I see him as truely going through the rough times with first going to jail and coming home to find his family gone. He helps the family through contributions like fixing the car. In the end like in the beginning when he gives Casy a "home" he once again shows his friendship for the former preacher after the police violently attack Casy. He reacts without thought and attacks his friend's attacker. And at the end he shows his true colors by leaving the family for the sake of the family that they might find a better life.
I agree with Sneha, Kata, and the many others who said that ma was the central strength of the novel. Ma showed the reader this when she decided to take control of the family on their journey to California. She encouraged the others to stay together when a lot of them began to lose their hope they had when they first left out on this journey. They would blame other reasons for them deciding to leave the group like that they were slowing the rest them down as Noah said in the novel. This is when ma decides to take control because she wants them to stick together from the beginning to the end. Ma is the character in this novel who really brings out the matriarchal power, and this is the way she really exhibits her strength.
I'm going to go out on a limb and go against everything Ive read so far on the blog and say that Jim Casy is the strongest character in the novel. I belive this becouse in the novel Ma is a very strong person but unlike jim casy she never is put in a situation in which her decision could mean her death. When Jim beats the cop after he shot the woman in the camp he directly put his life in jeopardy by giving the police a reason to arrest him. This would take great courage and strength to do. Some poeple would say that Tom did the same when he killed the cop that killed Jim, but thats not true becouse Tom put himself in danger becouse of revenge for Jim. Jim is differnt becouse Jim knew nothing about the girl and he stood up for her even though she had no relation to him, this scene perfectly shows his strength and courage and also solidifies his image as a christ figure.
I agree with katarinaa that Ma is the strongest character in the novel. Her description in the book is that she is like a citadel, meaning everyone looks to her for support and guidance. I also agree with daniellel that Ma is the only character who remains steadfast in her belief that everything will become better once they all hit California.
I agree with Miles F that Muley is the strongest character in The Grapes of Wrath. When everyone else leaves he stays behind. It must have taken a lot of strength to go from being the hunter and being in control and then going to be the hunted where he doesn't have control. For instance when he and Tom are hiding in the fields from the car that has just pulled up.
In the Grapes of Wrath, to me, Ma is the strongest person. She is the backbone of the family. She makes the family go to California, and on the way she makes sure every person is provided for with food. She even goes out of her way to give food to children at the Hooverville.
In The Grapes of Wrath, I feel that Ma exibits the strength because she is the one that time after time holds the family together. She helps the family accomplish many different tasks with her caring sense of humor and willingness to strive after anything and everything that continues to fall in her path. She also represents strength because even when other members of the family "get down" and seem that all is hopeless, she finds a way to make everything better. Ma is definately the core of the family, and without her the family would not have been able to look at a new day full of new oppurtunities.
In The Grapes of Wrath Ma Joad shows the greatest strength. She takes more of a role the father is supposed to take and she runs the family. On page 117 in my book she says, "Besides, us folks takes a pride in holdin' in. My Pa used to say, 'Anybody can break down. It takes a man not to.'" This statement shows how strong Ma is but it also shows how important family is to her. I think without Ma, the journey to California wouln't have been possible.
In the Grapes of Wrath Ma is the character that has the most strength. She shows how strong she on the family's journey to California. Ma is like the turtle in the beginning of the novel in that when times got tough she kept her head held high and kept the family from falling apart. She took the bull by the horns and kept the family moving on their journey when it would have been easy for some of them to have given up.
I agree with just about everyone when they say that Ma is the strongest character. She shows this many times throughout the novel. As other people have stated she is the "glue" that holds the family together. It is shown on how she takes out the crowbar and forces the family to try to stay togther when the car breaks down. She is also worried Tom will be found out for violeting his parloe when thay leave Oklahoma, she is worried about him all throughout the novel but is esspically when he has to go live by the river when the rest of family is working and living in the boxcars. Ma is always worried that he will be found. She inforces her ideas then and everywhere else.
Dang, a lot of people went with Ma.. and probably restated the reasons for it. But I believe the strongest character in the novel would be Jim Casy. In the times where every family was nearly alone in the struggle and scattered, Jim Casy takes the role of the leader wherever he is. Jim defended the woman who had her finger shot at the Hooverville Camp that the Joad family first go to, he also takes the blame for attacking the police officer and he is taken to jail. While at jail, Jim talks to the other cellmates about his ideas and later tells Tom about trying to form a union there, (384). The rather amazing thing about this act was Jim knew the consequences of being a leader in California from hearing the stories of the other migrants and even from a police officer who later kills him, (386). Also Steinbeck would most likely have a reason for illustrating Jim Casy as the Jesus Christ symbol in the novel, depicted by his actions and his name initials.
In the the novel, the character who shows the most strength would be Jim Casy. He is presented as a no good child molester who takes advantage of young girl's innocence. As their journey prolongs into a struggle for survival he shows his appreciation and love for the Joads by sticking up for Tom in Hoovervile when he attacked the cop. After the event occured Uncle John states, "the preacher went an' gave 'imself up to save Tom" (269). He is brave enough to take the blame for a crime he didn't do and go to jail in an unknown area.
Throughout The Grapes of Wrath, Ma Joad shows the most strength. She is determined to keep the family together through thick and thin. When Granma Joad dies she keeps it to herself so that they will be able to pass through to California. Her strength gives the rest of the family something to have hope on. Since she is strong, the rest of the family can find it easier to be strong also.
In the novel The Grapes of Wrath I am going to have to agree with Teddy. Too many people are going with Ma, i think jim Casey was the strongest. Jim always stepped up and helped lead the group in troubled times. He is a figure for Jesus Christ, so by that it shows he will have to be a strong character with many leading attributes.
I hate to agree with everyone else, but i would have to say Ma is the strongest character in The Grapes of Wrath. She makes sacrifices for the family so they will make to California, and even lays with Grandma's dead body to make sure they can cross the border. She keeps her head throughout the journey and holds the crumbling family together. In the face of destitution she remains positive, and continues talking of their "little white house." She is the leader of the Joads and her mental strength qualifies her for that job.
I bleieve Ma is the strongest character in the Grapes of Wrath. She keeps an imperturbable attitude, no matter what bad things life throws at them. She displays this is the way she handles Gramma's death. Once she dies, Ma does not immediately tell everyone of her death, but instead uses it to pass the road block. She shows no sign of weakness as she lies about the the death of Gramma. Ma's strength is shown most when she says, "We, we're the people - we go on." This exhibits her momentous amount of strength and unyielding spirit in the face of adversity.
Although the comments made are mainly for Ma, I believe that Tom is eventually the greatest strength in the family. Throughout the book he helps the family, just after he's let out of state prison(for good behavior), and immediately starts to head out to California. In the second fight he stands up for what is right, he stands up for the migrants, and for Jim Casy. He does what is necessary and vital to the family and when it comes down to it, he is the strongest because he was forced to leave because of what he believed was right.
In the Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck,Ma shows the most strength because of her abitlity to lead and keep tpgether the family.In the beginning ma is the housewife. She does whatever she is told, but we can also see her leadership when she convinces some family,that don't want to go, to go to california. She demonstates her leadership by holding her family together and helping them through their struggles. She puts everyone else first and they are taken care of.
48 comments:
In the Grapes of Wrath ma exhibits the most strength. Throughout the novel she is the "glue" that holds the family together. At the beginning she convinces everyone who doesnt want to go, to go so that they can be a family together. She comforts those that are experiencing diffuclties and makes sure everyone is provided for the best she can. Throughout history we see that the man of the household would have been the "glue" of the family, but in the Grapes of Wrath the situation is different and we see ma is the glue and shows the most stregth by putting everyone else first and making sure they have what they need and by not having serious break downs like everyone else on their journey.
I believe that Ma was the strongest character in The Grapes of Wrath. It the novel Ma says, "Besides, us folks takes a pride in holdin' in. My Pa used to say, 'Anybody can break down. It takes a man not to.'" (141) Ma is the stronghold in the family. She always tells the family to hold on and to not break down. Ma has faith that the family will survive the migration and she never loses this faith even when family members die and the family begins to split apart. Ma held together after Grampa's and Granma's deathes, after Tom left to finish out Casy's works, and Al remained with the Wainwrights. Ma was the only one to remain strong because others would let go of reality in some instances. One example is Uncle John; He would go out and get drunk when life became too stressful for him. The others also had a way of getting away from the actuality of things, but Ma was the only one who truly held on too reality.
In Grapes of Wrath, Ma Joad exhibits the most strength. Ma keeps the family together and never runs away from obstacles thoughout the novel. As Steinbeck writes,"[Ma] seemed to know, to accept, to welcome her position, the citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken" (pg.74). She is the stronghold of the Joads. From the beginning of the novel, Ma solves the family's problems and is the "father" of the Joads; she is the leader who makes important decision. She does not let the grandparents death stop the family from reaching California. On the treacherous journey to the West, Ma Joad holds the family together and has confidence of making it to the safe West.
I agree with Katrina and Danielle. I do think that Ma is the strongest character. When the family finally gets through the desert of California and Ma discovers that Granma had died, she shows how strong she is. She didn't make a big deal about it like most people would. Knowles writes, "Ma brushed her hair back with her hand. Her jaw tightened. " We got to git."(241) By her not breaking down, on the outside, like any normal woman would do it shows how much strength she has and how much she wants to take care of her family and not worry about herself.
I believe that Ma Joad is the strongest character. Steinbeck writes,"Her full face was not soft; it was controlled, kindly. Her hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tradegy..."(79).She's the stronghold, or the "glue" as Katrina said, of the family. When Pa begins to decline as the leader, Ma takes over. She is determined to keep everyone's hopes up and to keep the family together when they are forced to move. Ma faces every obstacle they face without fear or indecision. This is shown best when they are crossing the desert and Granma dies. Ma keeps this to herself so as not to worry the family so that they can finish their journey and stay together.
While I agree with the opinions of Danielle, Sneha, and others in that Ma is a central strength, I believe Rose of Sharon displayed the ultimate act of strength. Through the novel, a journey takes place within herself as she transforms from an immature girl into a mysterious woman. Rose of Sharon seems to rely on the reassurance of Ma throughout their journey. However, when she comes in contact with the dying man, she does not have to be told what to do. "She said 'Yes.'(pg. 454)". Rose of Sharon has just experienced death where life should be present. However, she willingly gives of herself to give the gift of life to a stranger. This act shows tremendous strength, as she has put aside self-pity and hurt to complete Steinbeck's cylce of suffering, death, and rebirth.
I agree with what most everyone else has said about Ma having the most strength in The Grapes of Wrath. She may not have the strongest physically, but she seems to mentally and emotionally. In a male dominant society where the man of the house made all the decisions, Ma broke the normal and she became the leader of the family. On page 169 it even says, "The eyes of the whole family shifted back to Ma. She was the power. She had taken control." She took charge when the car broke down in Chapter 16 and threatened to hit Pa with a jack handle if they didn't stick together. In Chapter 26 on page 352 Pa even says, "Seems like times is changed. Time was when a man said what we'd do. Seems like women is tellin' now." Ma held the family together the best she could. She made sensible decisions and everyone turned to her to see what they would do next.
In the Grapes of Wrath, I believe Ma Joad is the strongest memeber of the Joad family. She has to hide her emotions to be strong for the whole family. The family always turns to her for advice or help. She may be a stern woman, but she shows that she wants whats best for families other than her own. On page 169, it says: Ma's face softened, but her eyes were still fierce." This just shows that she is trying to be strong for her family.
I agree with karaa in that Rose of Sharon showed the most strength. Rose of Sharon went through many struggles on their journey to California. The first trial was having a baby growing in her womb. That alone took alot of strength to overcome. Then Connie left and Sharon had to rely more on herself. Rose of Sharon showed the most stregth when she fed the dying man in the barn. That took strength and courage to feed someone she didn't even know.
I think that I agree with everone else, where Ma is the strongest character in the novel. when things go wrong in the novel, Ma takes over and leads the family . When something she doea not like happens, she makes sure everyone knows it. She is the one to make sure Tom has money when he finally has to leave.She makes sure the family is fed very night and does everything in her power to better the situaton.
I believe along with the many others that Ma is the essence of strength in The Grapes of Wrath.
Although there were many examples of her's and other people's strength, one of the most dramatic is the sacrifice of riding in the back of the truck, with grandma dead beside her. Her strength is also shown in many other passages as when she has to let go of Tom, towards the end, for his good; even though it would cause more of the family to separate. I agree with the many people that have said her strength was keeping the family together, but i think is also the loss of her family and the strength to cope and focus, for the good of the remaining members.
In the novel The Grapes of Wrath I believe that Ma Joad is the strongest member of the family. Steinbeck refers to her as the "backbone" on the family on a few different occasions. For example when the car breaks down in chapter 16, instead of becoming extremely mad and frustrated she tells Al it is okay and that he had tried his best. Another example is when the Joads arrived in California and Grandma died, but the rest of the family did not because she cares more of the well being of the family rather than telling everyone and killing the happy mood they had established. The novel also shows that Ma takes care of the family even when she really cant. For Example, when Tom is forced to depart from the family after he kills the cop, she gives him the rest of the money so that he could survive on his own.
(kaylah)
Along with the mojority of the comments, Ma Joad demonstrates strength in many occasions, however the way i envisioned this novel was Jim Casey demonstrating the most strength. Jim Casey was a preacher and saw that he was doing wrong, and left the church. Some people might see this as him being a coward, however he was man enough to admit his mistakes and stop living a hyprocritical life. Towards the end of the novel, he shows strength once again in the event of fighting for what he believed was right. He ultimately takes blame for a killing Tom did and faces the consequence of death. I'm not sure if anyone else views him illustrating the most strength, however I don't believe anyone can say that he isn't a strong character.
*on many occasions*
While almost everyone else seems to be taking the side that Ma Joad is the strongest character in "The Grapes of Wrath", I saw it differently. I believe Noah exhibits the most strength as he abandons the family in chapter eighteen. As paradoxical as it may sound, to me it makes perfect sense. Noah leaves the family, a stronghold, to go out on his own. As we discussed in class, Noah may sense a flood is coming, like the Noah of the Bible. By going off on his own, Noah shows us his individual strength.
Most people have said that Ma Joad was the strongest character in the novel and I too agree with this statement. Ma Joad was the backbone of the entire family. Her character was the driving force behind them which in turn allowed them to make it to California. If she had not acted in such a strong, positive manner, the family would not of had the hope or drive to reach "the land of promise." On page 74, Knowles writes, "Ma was heavy, but not fat; thick with child-bearing and work...and her strong, broad, bare feet moved quickly and deftly over the floor...Strong, freckled arms...hands were chubby and delicate...hazel eyes seemed to have experienced all possible tragedy and to have mounted pain and suffering like steps into a high calm and superhuman understanding." Ma is described this way to show all her strength and her experience as a mother and her ability to overcome and except hard times. She has been through hard times and is full of wisdom that binds the family together.
I agree with heatherh. Ma is not the strongest physically but she is mentally and emotionally. After Granma dies on page 310 Ma says, "We got to find a place to stay. We got to work an' settle down." Ma isn't going to let the family turn back just because they were faced with some obstacles. She helps hold the family together and she is the reason the family didn't give up.
I believe Tom Joad was the strongest character in the GOW. Tom's morals and values are called upon time and time again throughout the book, and each time he rose to the occasion. He found work, even if it didn't last long, for money for his family. He risked re-imprisonment to go to CA with his family. He punched a cop protecting the weak people of the weed patch camp. He killed a cop for Casey. Tom Joad clearly defended what he thought was right, even if it meant putting himself in harm's way.
I believe, along with Kara and Rachel, that Rose of Sharon is the strongest character in The Grapes of Wrath. She is the strongest because she was pregnant and her husband left her in the middle of her pregnancy. She is also strong because even though her baby was a still born she did not sulk on it but used the baby's death to help other people like the man in the barn. This act shows how she contributes to the theme of individualism and group cohesion.
In the Grapes of Wrath i would agree with all the people that said Ma Joad showed the most strength. When grandma died she was imperturbable. Ma is the leader she is always taking charge. She would be the one that wears the pants in the family, even though pa is the man and contributes a great deal. Ma has something the others dont have. She is aways stating her opinion and helping in everyway she knows how. Ma has to be strong for the family because they are all looking up to her. Without ma the family would fall apart!
I agree with basically everyone, I think that Ma shows the most strength. In the beginning of the novel, Ma shows strength by burning here jewelry box, which symbolizes she is ready to forget the past, and move on with life. When Granpa dies, she says, “Anybody can break down. It takes a man not to.” This shows how she lives her life, only showing her strength, and hiding all other emotions. When Granma dies when the family is going through the desert, Ma keeps it to herself. She does this so that the whole family doesn’t have to feel sad, because the already have so much to deal with.
I believe that Muley was the strongest person in The Grapes of Wrath. He stays in his home town when all of his family leaves. He has little food and is the hunted instead of the hunter. He was the only person to refuse to leave in the entire community. Many people would see this is stubborn, but I see it as him standing up against "the monster" which no one else did except for Tom and Jim Casy, toward the end of the novel.
I agree that Ma shows great strenght throughout the novel, but I also believe Jim Casy exhibits great strength. Not only does he give up being a preacher because of his new found beliefs (chapter 8), but he also stands up for Tom and goes to jail in his place (chapter 26), which is symbolic of his representation as a Christ figure.
I strongly agree with Kelseyh. Ma Joad is also a strong character but Jim Casy plays a lead role in keeping the family close. In chapter thirteen grandpa dies, and the first person they lean on is Jim. They wanted him to pray for grandpa and he didn't want to. When it became apparent he didn't want to the family didn't stop asking him to do it. It's almost as if they needed Jim to help the family move on.
I think that Ma is the strongest character. She hides her emotions, and throughout the novel she never stops believing that her family will make it to California. She is emotionally strong and the leader of the family.
I agree with what almost everyone is saying, that ma joad is the strongest character in the book.Like katarina siad she is the glue that holds the family together.She makes sure that everyone is provided for and even helps people who she just met such as the children at the government camp.Also when grandma joad died on the way to california she tells no one because she does not want to ruin their happiness.As she states on pg.141 "anybody can break down.It takes aman to hold it in." ma never breaks down even in the worst situations.If she did the entire family would fall apart.
I agree that Ma, Rose of Sharon, Jim Casy, and Tom exemplifies great strength. However, I appreciate the point Miles made concerning Muley.
It would have taken an abundant amount of strength and self-assurance to stay behind in his hometown. Especially after his land was taken from him and his family had moved to Califorina. He lives by killing/hunting his own food, and he found a cave that he could sleep out of (chapter 6).
Also, his life would have been challenging if he began to think of how prosperous his family was becoming in California. The handbills gave everyone the impression that they could make extra money. However, Muley couldn't know there wasn't enough work in California because he never heard from his family.
Reading everyone's replies about other characters being the strongest I'm beginning to think that Ma isn't so strong. Sure, she appears strong and her intentions towards the family are good, but how do you think this traveling and the family breaking up makes her feel? How can somebody be strong, emotionally, when their family is falling apart? They can't. Although she appears strong to the rest of her family, she must be torn inside. The only reason others are saying she is strong is because of her determination to get to California, which could be mistaken as strenth.
In my opinion, the strongest person in "The Grapes of Wrath" is Jim Casy. He is constanly standing up for who and what he believes in, even if it did result in his death.
I agree with pretty much everyone that said, Ma Joad. She has been through some of the greatest tragedies anyone could go through. She did not fall apart when Grandpa and Grandma Joad passed away and how she was there helping bring one of her own grandchildren into the world and had to tell her daughter that the baby was stillborn.
Alrighty, well I agree with Mclovin' (a.k.a. Tanner). Mostly everyone has gone with Ma and while she is a strong character and leads the family, I am going with Tom. I see him as truely going through the rough times with first going to jail and coming home to find his family gone. He helps the family through contributions like fixing the car. In the end like in the beginning when he gives Casy a "home" he once again shows his friendship for the former preacher after the police violently attack Casy. He reacts without thought and attacks his friend's attacker. And at the end he shows his true colors by leaving the family for the sake of the family that they might find a better life.
I agree with Sneha, Kata, and the many others who said that ma was the central strength of the novel. Ma showed the reader this when she decided to take control of the family on their journey to California. She encouraged the others to stay together when a lot of them began to lose their hope they had when they first left out on this journey. They would blame other reasons for them deciding to leave the group like that they were slowing the rest them down as Noah said in the novel. This is when ma decides to take control because she wants them to stick together from the beginning to the end. Ma is the character in this novel who really brings out the matriarchal power, and this is the way she really exhibits her strength.
I'm going to go out on a limb and go against everything Ive read so far on the blog and say that Jim Casy is the strongest character in the novel. I belive this becouse in the novel Ma is a very strong person but unlike jim casy she never is put in a situation in which her decision could mean her death. When Jim beats the cop after he shot the woman in the camp he directly put his life in jeopardy by giving the police a reason to arrest him. This would take great courage and strength to do. Some poeple would say that Tom did the same when he killed the cop that killed Jim, but thats not true becouse Tom put himself in danger becouse of revenge for Jim. Jim is differnt becouse Jim knew nothing about the girl and he stood up for her even though she had no relation to him, this scene perfectly shows his strength and courage and also solidifies his image as a christ figure.
I agree with katarinaa that Ma is the strongest character in the novel. Her description in the book is that she is like a citadel, meaning everyone looks to her for support and guidance. I also agree with daniellel that Ma is the only character who remains steadfast in her belief that everything will become better once they all hit California.
I agree with Miles F that Muley is the strongest character in The Grapes of Wrath. When everyone else leaves he stays behind. It must have taken a lot of strength to go from being the hunter and being in control and then going to be the hunted where he doesn't have control. For instance when he and Tom are hiding in the fields from the car that has just pulled up.
In the Grapes of Wrath, to me, Ma is the strongest person. She is the backbone of the family. She makes the family go to California, and on the way she makes sure every person is provided for with food. She even goes out of her way to give food to children at the Hooverville.
Aaron P.
In The Grapes of Wrath, I feel that Ma exibits the strength because she is the one that time after time holds the family together. She helps the family accomplish many different tasks with her caring sense of humor and willingness to strive after anything and everything that continues to fall in her path. She also represents strength because even when other members of the family "get down" and seem that all is hopeless, she finds a way to make everything better. Ma is definately the core of the family, and without her the family would not have been able to look at a new day full of new oppurtunities.
In The Grapes of Wrath Ma Joad shows the greatest strength. She takes more of a role the father is supposed to take and she runs the family. On page 117 in my book she says, "Besides, us folks takes a pride in holdin' in. My Pa used to say, 'Anybody can break down. It takes a man not to.'" This statement shows how strong Ma is but it also shows how important family is to her. I think without Ma, the journey to California wouln't have been possible.
In the Grapes of Wrath Ma is the character that has the most strength. She shows how strong she on the family's journey to California. Ma is like the turtle in the beginning of the novel in that when times got tough she kept her head held high and kept the family from falling apart. She took the bull by the horns and kept the family moving on their journey when it would have been easy for some of them to have given up.
I agree with just about everyone when they say that Ma is the strongest character. She shows this many times throughout the novel. As other people have stated she is the "glue" that holds the family together. It is shown on how she takes out the crowbar and forces the family to try to stay togther when the car breaks down. She is also worried Tom will be found out for violeting his parloe when thay leave Oklahoma, she is worried about him all throughout the novel but is esspically when he has to go live by the river when the rest of family is working and living in the boxcars. Ma is always worried that he will be found. She inforces her ideas then and everywhere else.
Dang, a lot of people went with Ma.. and probably restated the reasons for it. But I believe the strongest character in the novel would be Jim Casy. In the times where every family was nearly alone in the struggle and scattered, Jim Casy takes the role of the leader wherever he is. Jim defended the woman who had her finger shot at the Hooverville Camp that the Joad family first go to, he also takes the blame for attacking the police officer and he is taken to jail. While at jail, Jim talks to the other cellmates about his ideas and later tells Tom about trying to form a union there, (384). The rather amazing thing about this act was Jim knew the consequences of being a leader in California from hearing the stories of the other migrants and even from a police officer who later kills him, (386). Also Steinbeck would most likely have a reason for illustrating Jim Casy as the Jesus Christ symbol in the novel, depicted by his actions and his name initials.
In the the novel, the character who shows the most strength would be Jim Casy. He is presented as a no good child molester who takes advantage of young girl's innocence. As their journey prolongs into a struggle for survival he shows his appreciation and love for the Joads by sticking up for Tom in Hoovervile when he attacked the cop. After the event occured Uncle John states, "the preacher went an' gave 'imself up to save Tom" (269). He is brave enough to take the blame for a crime he didn't do and go to jail in an unknown area.
Throughout The Grapes of Wrath, Ma Joad shows the most strength. She is determined to keep the family together through thick and thin. When Granma Joad dies she keeps it to herself so that they will be able to pass through to California. Her strength gives the rest of the family something to have hope on. Since she is strong, the rest of the family can find it easier to be strong also.
In the novel The Grapes of Wrath I am going to have to agree with Teddy. Too many people are going with Ma, i think jim Casey was the strongest. Jim always stepped up and helped lead the group in troubled times. He is a figure for Jesus Christ, so by that it shows he will have to be a strong character with many leading attributes.
I hate to agree with everyone else, but i would have to say Ma is the strongest character in The Grapes of Wrath. She makes sacrifices for the family so they will make to California, and even lays with Grandma's dead body to make sure they can cross the border. She keeps her head throughout the journey and holds the crumbling family together. In the face of destitution she remains positive, and continues talking of their "little white house." She is the leader of the Joads and her mental strength qualifies her for that job.
I bleieve Ma is the strongest character in the Grapes of Wrath. She keeps an imperturbable attitude, no matter what bad things life throws at them. She displays this is the way she handles Gramma's death. Once she dies, Ma does not immediately tell everyone of her death, but instead uses it to pass the road block. She shows no sign of weakness as she lies about the the death of Gramma. Ma's strength is shown most when she says, "We, we're the people - we go on." This exhibits her momentous amount of strength and unyielding spirit in the face of adversity.
Although the comments made are mainly for Ma, I believe that Tom is eventually the greatest strength in the family. Throughout the book he helps the family, just after he's let out of state prison(for good behavior), and immediately starts to head out to California. In the second fight he stands up for what is right, he stands up for the migrants, and for Jim Casy. He does what is necessary and vital to the family and when it comes down to it, he is the strongest because he was forced to leave because of what he believed was right.
In the Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck,Ma shows the most strength because of her abitlity to lead and keep tpgether the family.In the beginning ma is the housewife. She does whatever she is told, but we can also see her leadership when she convinces some family,that don't want to go, to go to california. She demonstates her leadership by holding her family together and helping them through their struggles. She puts everyone else first and they are taken care of.
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