From the hunting and gathering era of our evolutionary predecessors to today 's, women are placed in this bubble of expectation. Expectations which don’t prohibit, but restrain these society members from taking an active role within the community or home. However, John Steinbeck tests these societal restraints in Grapes of Wrath. When the Joad family migrates from the dust bowl plagued land of Oklahoma to the promising California, the women provide stability for their deteriorating family; they never loss sight on what is important and are able to discover success through defeat. Throughout the move to California, the family slowly begins to break apart mentally, setting up for a falling apart. However, the women of the family stay salute and unbreakable. Among the women, Ma take an especially active role when it comes to maintaining close family ties.
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Tom’s environment is rapidly changing. From the moment he is let out of prison to the end of the book, Tom is never able to stop moving and settle down. However, through all the shifts in his life, Tom overcomes the hardships that are brought along. Tom “smacked [a guy] over the head” with a shovel and killed him (Steinbeck 36). When he got out of jail on parole he packed up his bags and moved to California. Once in California, he joins a movement advocating for worker’s rights. This transition from a “bad boy” to an activist demonstrates Tom’s ability to adapt. In the book Grapes of Wrath, women take an active role within their family while the men take a back seat, a progressive concept. Rose of Sharon and Ma Joad are prime examples of this gender reversal because they keep the family in mind and always find success. Tom Joad is one exception however. He is able to adapt to his ever changing environment, proving capable to maintain a lead role within the
Tom’s environment is rapidly changing. From the moment he is let out of prison to the end of the book, Tom is never able to stop moving and settle down. However, through all the shifts in his life, Tom overcomes the hardships that are brought along. Tom “smacked [a guy] over the head” with a shovel and killed him (Steinbeck 36). When he got out of jail on parole he packed up his bags and moved to California. Once in California, he joins a movement advocating for worker’s rights. This transition from a “bad boy” to an activist demonstrates Tom’s ability to adapt. In the book Grapes of Wrath, women take an active role within their family while the men take a back seat, a progressive concept. Rose of Sharon and Ma Joad are prime examples of this gender reversal because they keep the family in mind and always find success. Tom Joad is one exception however. He is able to adapt to his ever changing environment, proving capable to maintain a lead role within the