John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath depicts a man-led family. The women are now in control of the family, Ma. Ma has to take the decision as Pa struggles to support his family and is remorseful. She takes responsibility for her family and humanity through a deep bond. Steinbeck demonstrates how Ma Joad has a strong influence on the family and realizes what life is all about.

In the novel, the men in the Joad household are the ones making the decisions. In chapter 10, Ma, a grown woman, turns to her son for comfort.

“Tom, it seems like California is a very nice place. The han’bills guys were passing out a lot of money, with high wages, etc., I read about it in the newspaper. Also, they wanted folks to pick grapes and oranges and peaches. Tom, I think picking peaches is a great job. But, I’m scared by things that are so beautiful. I don’t have faith. I’m scared that someone isn’t being nice. (90-91)

The women’s role and influence in family life is blatantly evident as the story progresses.

“Pa was squatting there, staring out at the truck and cupping his hands. Uncle John squatted beside him. They were both brooding. Grampa saw the two of them sitting in the same position and came out. He jerked up and sat facing the pair on the runningboard of the pickup truck. The nucleus was formed. Tom, Connie, Noah and Tom walked up and squatted. Grampa was at the front of the half-circle. Then Ma, Granma, and Rose-of-Sharon walked out, accompanied by Granma. They squatted behind the men.”

The men “squatting”, or forming the patriarchal structure, are those who have the most power in the family. They are in a position of authority, and they have a strong desire to solve the problems that come their way. Ma, Granma or Rose de Sharon, no matter how present they may be, are excluded from this semicircle. This exclusion has both a deliberate and a tradition-based basis. The family was always run by men.

As Pa quietly renounces authority, the patriarchal structure of this family begins to change. Pa feels guilty because he can’t care for the family. His love cannot feed his children or keep Granpa living. Pa slowly relinquishes his role as head of the house to Ma. Ma sees that her husband is being overpowered, but she does not speak about it. She asserts herself in the household. Tom and Casy decided to stay back to fix the Wilsons’ car when it broke down. But Ma would not let her family be divided.

What do you mean you’re not going to go? You have to leave. Pa was astonished at Ma’s revolt. Ma reached for the floorboard of the rear seat. She brought out the jack handle, and held it easily. She said, ‘I’m not a-gonna leave’… Ma’s lips were set. She whispered softly: “Only thing you can do to make me go is to beat me…And I’ll shame Pa…I swear by Holy Jesus I will.

In this first instance, Ma is able to overpower Pa. She threatens him with the jack handle, and also threatens his family. In chapter 18, an California deputy uses derogatory terms to describe the Joad women and warns them to leave. Ma is unable to control her temper and instead reprimands a policeman vehemently. Ma’s decision to stop speaking or making decisions is a sign of a new beginning. She no longer relies on men to do so. She now has control over herself and, most importantly, her family.

Ma continues to lead the family on their arduous journey. But it is only in the last chapter that Ma’s love for family allows her to realize what true human kindness is. Ma, knowing that she must act, forcefully takes her family out of a boxcar. You’re either comin or you aren’t, but I am taking Rosasharn and the little fellas away from here. After finding shelter in a shed, the family encounters a hungry man and a boy.

He’s starving to death, I tell ya! He’s gonna starve to death, tell me .’… She looked at Pa’s and Uncle John’s helpless stares at the sick person. She turned to Rose of Sharon, who was huddled up in comfort. Ma’s eye passed Rose’s Sharon’s, then returned to theirs. They both looked at each other deeply. The girl was gasping for breath. She replied, “Yes.

Ma was the one who decided to give the most precious gift, life, to the man. It was no longer just her family’s lives at stake. Humanity strengthened the bond between migrants who were linked by a common struggle.

The Grapes of Wrath is a patriarchal book that transforms Joad’s family from a patriarchal to a matriarchal. Ma, who replaces Pa in the family, also begins to value human life as they progress. Ma, who refuses to let her family be split apart in an already deteriorating world, asserts herself throughout the book. Her compassion and understanding for everyone is what solidifies Ma’s place in humankind.

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