Family ties and the Joad family's connection to the land, that is their livelihood, are two of the most prevalent elements in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. ... In Steinbeck's description of Ma Joad, he says, "She seemed to know, to accept, to welcome her position, the citadel of the family, the strong place that could not be taken" (Steinbeck 79). Ma holds the family together, and this concept is exemplified when Steinbeck says, "She seemed to know that if she swayed the family shook the family will to function would be gone" (80). ... Steinbeck focuses on the re...

• Word Count: 302
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In this time of pain and suffering the Joad family in John Steinbeck's classic novel, The Grapes of Wrath, represent the families of thousands as they deal with the hardships of the depression face to face in their own adventure to California. ... Steinbeck makes it a point to show how the Joads are only one of many families enduring these hardships as it was apparent that friends and other families were taking the same journey. ... This display of love and caring for others was also shown by fellow immigrants as was apparent the time a small child died and everyone tried to spare a fe...

• Word Count: 1628
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate