Character Analysis: From Migrant to Human

When they arrive at Weedpatch (the government camp), Ma becomes sad and Pa notices it. She explains to him how on the road she had no time to think, to analyze. She became one with the movement; but now that she was here and the people had been nice to her and she had been nice to them, she started thinking again. She went over Grandpa and Granma’s death, Noah’s separation, and Connie; she went over all the things she could not explain and brought sorrow in her. She gave herself a space to be human again and let her emotions carry her through tragedy. (Steinbeck, pg. 323)

----Alejandra Lopez

Character Analysis: Generosity

It is clear that Ma Joad’s priorities lay on her family; but the example with the children at Hooverville shows how her love, help and understanding, overcome these limits. As starving children surround her, she feels compassion for them. She dwells with egoism and her family’s basic necessities: as she finally gives in to the children. She leaves the rest of the soup for them. This passage demonstrates Ma’s constant selflessness and generous actions, not only for the well-being of her family, but for the entire people in need. (Steinbeck, pg. 257).

---Alejandra Lopez

Character Analysis: Okies face Rejection

There is one time that Ma find herself alone with Granma and Rose of Sharon, in the tent, waiting for the men to come back, and suddenly a police man arrives. He threatens and insults Ma trying to force her to leave. In her anger, she takes a skillet and warns the man that he must leave ashamed for in her country they were free and no one had the right to speak to them like that. He leaves, with first diminishing Ma by calling her an unwanted Okie in the state of California, not “her country”. (Steinbeck, pgs. 213-214)

---Alejandra Lopez

Character Analysis: Ma’s Position as a Leader and Support

“Pa was the head of the family now. Ma stood behind him.” (Steinbeck, pg. 139).

NOTE: This quote clearly explains the importance of Ma Joad in the family. The sitting positions in the family meetings represented the power and authority of each character. Given the fact that Ma Joad was besides Pa; it meant she was very important and she was his support. Also, the fact that she stands behind him represents her respect for tradition, for she knows she is stronger than Pa, but she also knows that in their society she must help from behind because Pa as a head is a necessary image.

---Alejandra Lopez