When the Joad family first comes together to discuss their move to California, the Joads still respect Grampa Joad's seniority; he is the patriarch of the family. However, Grampa's health deteriorates very quickly once he leaves his homeland and passes away shortly after. Traditionally, Pa Joad should have taken over the leadership role as the next oldest male, but since they are in an unusual situation, Tom Joad takes on the role of leader since...
When the Joad family first comes together to discuss their move to California, the Joads still respect Grampa Joad's seniority; he is the patriarch of the family. However, Grampa's health deteriorates very quickly once he leaves his homeland and passes away shortly after. Traditionally, Pa Joad should have taken over the leadership role as the next oldest male, but since they are in an unusual situation, Tom Joad takes on the role of leader since he is more knowledgeable about the world than his father. Yet Tom cannot bring his family the security they long for either and he becomes particularly concerned with the plight of the labor migrants around him. When Tom has to flee after his fight with the police, it is Ma Joad rather than Pa Joad who takes charge of her family. She knows that her family needs her to be strong, as this quote from chapter 8 demonstrates: "She seemed to know that if she swayed the family shook, and if she ever really deeply wavered or despaired the family would fall, the family will to function would be gone." The traditional role of the male provider is called into question at this time in history, since the men are out of work and cannot provide for their families. Steinbeck shows the extraordinary strength of women and how they form the backbone of these families in need.
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