During the Great Depression, an era that lasted through 1929-1939 caused lasting impacts on the world to this day. Many families lost everything during this time period. This time also had a major impact on women as well.
The physiological effect of losing their job and being unable to care for their families caused a large amount of men to abandon their wives and children. Forcing them to fend for themselves, this forced women who were abandoned to be both a caretaker for their children, and a provider as well. Yet, despite these difficulties, many women attempted to keep their families together.
The Grapes of Wrath showed these problems that women suffered through during the Great Depression through the charters Ma and Rose of Sharon. Connie, Rose of Sharon’s husbands ends up abandoning her and their child. Just like many men did during the Great Depression. Ma also attempts to keep the family together throughout the book. When a family friend’s car breaks down, Tom and Al want to stay and fix it while the rest of the family continues on the trip. At first, Ma refuses to leave. Afraid that they will be separated from the rest of the family. “I ain’t a-gonna go” (Pg.184). After a large amount of bargaining, she leaves to boys to work on the car. This mindset that Ma had is similar to many women of that era. Wanting to keep the family together in trying times.
Great American Novels 
One reply on “Women During The Great Depression”
I agree with this blog and that women faced many issues from the Great Depression time period. Along with Connie leaving Rose of Sharon, another struggle I saw for her was giving birth. Unlike most women now, she wasn’t able to have her baby in a hospital which must have been hard because there’s not any doctors to help make sure everything goes well. Also, I agree with the part about Ma struggling to keep her family together. Throughout the novel, many of the other family members want to split up. However, Ma is always the one trying to keep everyone together. The quote, “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” really represents Ma Joad because it shows that if it weren’t for Ma, the family might fall apart.
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