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

In a crisis, a persons true colourize emerge. The weak are separatedfrom the strong and the leaders are separated from the followers. In JohnSteinbecks novel The Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family, forced from theirhome in Oklahoma, lead to California in search of work and prosperity onlyto beget poverty 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- serenityraint during the sufferings andfrustrations of the Joads journey. Ma knows that she is the backbone ofthe family, and that they forget survive only if she remains cool off. Ma keepsher self-control when Ruthie tells some children about Toms secret. Thefamily becomes nervous and enraged over the situation, but Ma restoresorder by handling the situation in a calm and collected manner. If Ma wereto ever show fear, the family would most handlely collapse. For, white-haired Tomand the children could not know hurt or fear unless she admit hurtor fear. Thus, if Ma acts as if everything is all right, then the familywill assume everything is all right. Most members of the family openlyexpress their doubts or fears. Ma may 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 occur in which Ma must be forceful orrelinquish her role as the head of the family. Her forceful leadershipoccurs at a time when the family, without Mas consent, agrees to leave Tom andCasey behind to fix the Wilsons car. Ma feels this will crush up thefamily and white plagues a jack handle to prove her headland. It is at this point Mareplaces Pa as the official head of the family. Mas forceful leadershipalso sur faces when she threatens a police officer with a frying travel andwhen she decides for the family to leave 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 sleddingof power to a woman and says in frustration, Seems like times is changed.