While the Joad family moves to the state of California, the fambly endures the struggles of starting over. In the book The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, Ma stays home caring for the house and children, and Pa works in the town to bring in money, because gender roles are prevalent in the world around them. Not only are are these roles spread throughout society, but they are followed by men and women alike.
In the 1930’s at the time of the Dust Bowl gender roles were still widely diversified. Not only were men the workers, but they were also the heads of their homes. As the man of the house, Pa was expected to bring the family wealth and money. After a day of work in California, he returned home and “Pa made his report… he got eighteen dollars” (Steinbeck 93). Men are given the role of financially providing for their families, and it is their duty to keep them standing. While men were bringing in money, women in the Joad family did not have a problem staying home. Additionally, not only were men the providers for their families, they were also considered the …show more content…
Society these pushes gender roles on people that even some women believe that waiting on men is their sole job. After a long day of the men working, “Ma served them greens and side-meat” (Steinbeck 104). While Pa and the rest of the men of the house were out, Ma stayed home to organize the house and put food on the table. Not only did Ma do everything for the men but she did not believe she deserved to work like them. For instance, one day after the men went hunting and brought back meat, Ma was prepared to season and cook all by herself. One of the men wanted to help and speed thing up. He offered and said, “the sooner the better… we can pitch in” (Steinbeck 103). Ma refused his offer. She told him to leave because she believes it is only a womens job to
In the 1930’s at the time of the Dust Bowl gender roles were still widely diversified. Not only were men the workers, but they were also the heads of their homes. As the man of the house, Pa was expected to bring the family wealth and money. After a day of work in California, he returned home and “Pa made his report… he got eighteen dollars” (Steinbeck 93). Men are given the role of financially providing for their families, and it is their duty to keep them standing. While men were bringing in money, women in the Joad family did not have a problem staying home. Additionally, not only were men the providers for their families, they were also considered the …show more content…
Society these pushes gender roles on people that even some women believe that waiting on men is their sole job. After a long day of the men working, “Ma served them greens and side-meat” (Steinbeck 104). While Pa and the rest of the men of the house were out, Ma stayed home to organize the house and put food on the table. Not only did Ma do everything for the men but she did not believe she deserved to work like them. For instance, one day after the men went hunting and brought back meat, Ma was prepared to season and cook all by herself. One of the men wanted to help and speed thing up. He offered and said, “the sooner the better… we can pitch in” (Steinbeck 103). Ma refused his offer. She told him to leave because she believes it is only a womens job to