She is the engine which drives the family.
Her attitude influences the one of the others. Being aware of this she succeeds to control the manifestation of her emotions. Another proof of her wisdom is the fact that she does not want to impose herself in all the circumstances. She lets Pa manifest himself, although she makes it clear for everybody that she has a strong authority as well. She is aware of her own condition.
Another woman whom Steinbeck uses in order to communicate the new dynamics of the men-women relationships is Rose of Sharon. One of the most famous scenes in the book is the one in which she feeds the man, helping him to survive. Her role is fundamental. She is the strong one, the provider. The man on the other hand is weak and dependent. The symbolism is very strong. "The fact that Rose gave birth to a dead baby symbolizes the fact that they remain trapped in the present, with no real hope for the future. Perhaps the fact hat she does not have a child in the end is a hint regarding the drop of the birth rate in the U.S.A. during the great depression." (Power of Women in the Grapes of Wrath)
Reading between the lines we understand that the status of the woman is no longer defined through the condition of motherhood. The woman appears as a supporter for the man who has become the weak part. Her kindness and generosity underline the fact that the women stood by their men, supported them and sacrificed themselves in order to assure the happiness of their family. This demonstrates their strength and character.
The manner in which the author presents the roles of men and women is very complex. Women are the ones to finish what men started. Men often show themselves weak, while the women, despite various instances of frailty, demonstrate that they are strong. Ma often takes decisions that would normally be taken by Pa. Ma is a mother and a wife, but also a leader.
It can be stated that she shows the manner in which women surpassed their condition...
It is interesting to notice that she is not trying to undermine the authority of her husband, although he feels like that might be happening. The threat with the stick is an occasion for Ma to speak her mind. She is not afraid to express herself even under the circumstances in which she knows it might hurt the other's feelings if she is aware of the fact that she is doing the right thing.
All in all it can be stated that the book under analysis is a clear proof that things in society were changing. The novel shows a lot of social changes which occurred during the great depression. One of these changes refers to the shift in power in the woman's status. The role of the woman changes from the one of housewife and mother, to the one of leader and provider. The men are weaker and depend upon the women in order to survive. Steinbeck therefore demonstrates how women have become indispensable, taking over all the responsibilities which belonged exclusively to men before the great depression.
Bibliography:
Baillargeon, D. (translator Klein, Y.) "Making do: women, family and home in Montreal during the Great Depression." Google Books. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=-x65yYBTDTIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=women+great+depression&hl=it&cd=2#v=onepage&q&f=false
"Gender roles and sexual relations, impact of the great depression." http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/egd_01/egd_01_00217.html
"Power of Women in the Grapes of Wrath." ***.com. 01 May 2010
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Scharf, L. "To work and to wed: female employment, feminism and the great depression (Contributions in women's studies)." Greenwood Press Paperback. 1985
"The grapes of wrath." Readers guide. 01 May 2010 http://readers.penguin.co.uk/nf/Document/DocumentDisplay/0,,P000100000031,00.html
"The great depression." 01 May 2010
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snprelief1.htm
