All characters in The Grapes of Wrath bear moment's of deep self disappointment; however, Ma does not create a chance for them to stumble. Instead, she protects her family from people who would try to break their spirit. For example, Rose of Sharon is approached by a religious woman, who panics her into believing that the baby she will have will be ruined for life. Ma Joad understandingly knows how easily ones spirit can
She had been receiving letters from her ex-husband saying "How are you and the boys? Bet they’re getting big," (1, Medicine River). The clear absence of the father has caused Rose to become independent and have to raise her children by herself, as well as support her kids with no financial aid from a husband, an uncommon front for a woman in a time where men dominated. In addition to the independence and self-reliance of Bertha and Rose, Louise, a female who lives in Medicine River with Will, possesses these same characteristics. She has found a way to succeed at a job in a time when it occurs very seldomly for women.
As she suffers from finding a stable income and house for her family, Moody’s mother Toosweet encourages Moody to do well in school. However, her push to ensure Moody to succeed in school is only to prove to her husband Raymond’s family that her daughter is as smart as his family, not encourage Moody to attend college and fight for her rights. As a child, Moody was unaware of the oppression and inequality that African Americans had suffered. As she constantly questioned her concerns to her mother about the incidents that occurred, her mother always told her, “Just do your work like you don’t know anything” (Moody, 123). She realizes that her mother ignores the racial acts against her community and becomes alienated within her family as well as her community when she fights for her rights.
Now that’s growing up without a childhood. Jane Smiley seems like a great parent who cares about her children but to allow her daughters to put on makeup even entering their teenage years just isn’t right. Her girls where prematurely growing up, where behaving beyond their age, and with their only priority being beautiful at all times it seem to help them in the long run. As they burned off the “Barbie stage” and grew into more important things down their lives. Like for example Smiley talks about her older daughter, “Now she is planning to graduate school and law school and become an expert on woman’s health issues, perhaps adolescent health issues like anorexia and bulimia” (377).
Dee only wanted to lord over them her superior intelligence and education, therefore boosting her own ego. Dee does not hide her shame for the way that her mother and Maggie live by writing “no matter where [they] “choose” to live, she will manage to come see [them]. But she will never bring her friends.” Dee's harsh criticisms are not just pointed at her mother and Maggie as can be seen when the narrator points out “When [Dee] was courting Jimmy T she didn't have much time to pay us, but turned all her faultfinding power on him. He flew to marry a cheap city girl” (Walker 105). Notice the emphasized word flew.
I did not want my son to think that I just gave him away because I did not love him or want him. I know I would never have a peace of mind if I went this route. I looked through adoption profiles of couples who were hoping to adopt. All their stories broke my heart and made me wish I had a baby for each of them. I then realized once more how incredibly lucky I was to be able to have a baby and the chance to love, care, and nurture him.
Calpurnia’s dream was to have more influence on her husband decisions, but never once did her husband even listen to her. As Calpurina says “He is a dreamer; let us leave him: pass.” (1.2.24). Calpurnia is done trying to achieve her dream. There is no way to convince Julius Caesar. Ellwanger 2
I don’t want to have kids when I am too old, I want to be able to watch them get married and have kids. I see my mother when she is with my niece and becoming a grandparent was one of the most joyful days of her life, I would love to experience that. I have had ups and downs through-out my life, but going through those obstacles has made me the sturdy person I am today. Going through my parent’s divorce, being in a long distance relationship and living in a rotary schedule between both parents has left me with emotional stiffness that I would by no means take
The book follows the story of a young girl named Tita who longs her entire life to marry her lover, Pedro, but can never have him because of her mother's upholding of the family tradition of the youngest daughter not marrying but taking care of her mother until the day she dies. Tita is only able to express herself when she cooks. I enjoyed this book because it taught me a lot about how one’s traditions can affect your life. This book goes against some beliefs that many people have because “Like Water for Chocolate” is a fiction book, it is believed fiction books cannot teach anything useful. But the lessons I learned are applicable to life and have also provided
It not only changes our view on Addie, but our view on the novel as a whole. Addie's voice is imparative to the reader's outlook and while we can sense it through the voices of others, her chapter best sums up her mind. So, what if Addie's chapter did not exsist? For one, we would never have comprehended her mind and the way it twists around things like how she feels about her children and husband. We would have all thought of her as still the same loving mother who watches her son, Cash, methodically build her coffin not because she is ready and wanting soon to be in it, but because he is her son and she loves to see him work.