Ma Joad
... 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. "Women should be kept barefoot and pregnant,” was a common saying in the past that stated, what was believed to be, a woman’s role. The general responsibilities of women have changed throughout history, specially in the last century. John Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath during a differen time of the world. This country was undergoing serious transformations in just about everyway possible role of a woman was also change. The purpose of this essay is to explain how Ma Joad’s character was an example of a family woman’s new character. The different roles that Ma Joad takes on in The Grapes of Wrath include the role of the provider for more than just physical needs, the role of a leader, and the role of a real liveperson. I will then explain how Ma Joad shows to be the housewife during and after the Great Depression and afterwards. The colonial and traditional American view of a woman was for a woman to be the keeper of the children and the house. Women would look after the children, cook meals, churn butter, and wash and make clothes for the family. But in the book, Ma Joad does more than just her share of chores. Whenever the Joads were ready to give up, Ma ...