Unity In The Grapes Of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath is a protest novel by John Steinbeck. The theme of unity is foreshadowed in the story of the development of characters. Ma Joad displays unity because she tries to keep the family together, but eventually she helps anyone who needs it. Ma in the beginning of the story cares only about her family and nothing else. In the beginning, we are introduced to Ma, “She seemed to know, to accept, to welcome her position, the citadel...” (100). Ma is important to the Joad family. A citadel to the family is someone who protects them when needed such as war times. This is significant because without Ma the Joad family wouldn’t work well. When Tom is talking to Ma, Tom says “Look Ma, stop your worryin” (123). Tom knows how much Ma cares about him in times of crisis. The significance of this is all Joads know that Ma cares for all them. Tom says, “Yeah, but tar’der’n that, Real tar’d like she’s sick-tar’d (147). Due to worrying about the family Ma is stressed out. The importance of this is Ma’s health is affected. Ma loves her family, this love eventually leads her to worrying a lot.

Ma talking, “What we got left in the world, nothing but us” (230). Ma knows that the family has nothing else but themselves, the family couldn’t form friendships because they are always on the move. So that they can see each other again, Ma declares the most important thing is family. Ma says, “It aint good for folks to break up” (225). Ma is afraid that someone will her and she wouldn’t see them again. This is huge because she loves her family. Ma talking to Casy, “I wisht I could wait an’ not tell you, I wish it be nice” (311). Even when she has lost more, she tries to to stay, strong and to honor and remember grandma’s importance. Ma wanted things to go differently, but knows it can’t because of her situation. Ma has lost so much, but she stays strong on the road in order to help the