Ma Joad as Leader in The Grapes of Wrath :: Grapes Wrath essays

In a crisis, a persons true colors emerge. The gutless are separatedfrom the strong and the leaders are separated from the followers. In JohnSteinbecks novel The Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family, ram downd from theirhome in Oklahoma, head to calcium in search of work and prosperity onlyto find pauperism and despair. As a result of a crisis, Ma Joad emerges as acontrolled, forceful, and selfless authority figure for the family. Ma Joad exhibits exelent self-control during the sufferings andfrustrations of the Joads journey. Ma knows that she is the linchpin ofthe family, and that they will survive only if she remains calm. Ma keepsher self-control when Ruthie tells both(prenominal) children about turkey cocks secret. Thefamily becomes nervous and enraged over the situation, nevertheless Ma restores stray by handling the situation in a calm and still manner. If Ma wereto ever show fear, the family would most likely collapse. For, Old Tomand the children could no t know go against or fear unless she acknowledged hurtor fear. Thus, if Ma acts as if everything is both right, then the familywill fall everything is all right. Most members of the family openlyexpress their doubts or fears. Ma whitethorn be just as frightened as the rest ofthe family, but she always maintains a front for the rest of the family.When Ma had fears, She had practiced denying them in herself. Thisextraordinary self-control helps to keep the Joad unit together and alive. Ma, like all leaders, must be forceful for things to work in herfavor. Numerous situations make it in which Ma must be forceful or discharge her role as the head of the family. Her forceful leadershipoccurs once when the family, without Mas consent, agrees to chip in Tom andCasey behind to fix the Wilsons car. Ma feels this will break up thefamily and uses a jack handle to prove her point. It is at this point Mareplaces Pa as the official head of the family. Mas forceful leadership as well surfaces when she threatens a police officer with a frying pan andwhen she decides for the family to quit the government camp. In bothsituations Ma must use force to achieve her objectives in both situations,she emerges victorious. Eventually, Pa becomes angered because of his lossof ability to a woman and says in frustration, Seems like times is changed.