d that is much more important to her than any problem she has had.Further emphasizing the symbolic character front, the women in this story become pictures of the mentality of the "indestructible woman." The greatest exemplar of this is the family matriarch, Ma Joad. "Ma Joad stands out in Steinbeck's work as a complete and positive characterization of a woman" (Cannon, 118). She is the only character in the novel that appears to be flawless on every level, not just as someone who does monotonous chores throughout the story. She stands as a shining image of a woman who refuses to back down, no matter what the obstacles at hand. Some of those obstacles included Grandma's death, the desertion of Noah, the leaving behind of the Wilson's followed by Connie's departure, the murder of Casy, Tom becoming a fugitive, Rose of Sharon's baby being stillborn, and being surrounded by starvation and depression. She summons all of her strength and willpower to help cope with these tragedies. Her undying strength and love comes to light as she helps keep the family together, even if that means giving every ounce of spirit and energy that she has. Steinbeck creates her as that indestructible woman because he wants to convince the migrants of the 1930's to follow in her footsteps, and ultimately, mirror the journey of the entire Joad family. Warren French explains directly what Steinbeck's aim with having the characters, especially Ma Joad, develop the way they do throughout the novel:"The story that Steinbeck sought to tell does end, furthermore, with Ma Joad's discovery that it is no longer the "fambly" alone that one must "give a han'," but "everybody." As I wrote in my own study of Steinbeck, I answer the charge that the tale is inconclusive, the scene in the barn 'marks the end of the story that Steinbeck has to tell about the Joads' because 'their education is completedWhat happens to them now depends upon the ability of the rest of socie...
