GOW+Ch16+Reading

Why does Ma threaten to fight Pa with a jack handle?

In the beginning of this chapter, Ma and Rose of Sharon ride next to each other and begin to talk about California and their future plans. (Rose of Sharon and Connie have now become a part of the Joad family, and they treat and think of each other as family members.) Rose of Sharon shares with Ma that she plans to live in the city with Connie when they arrive in California. She also tells Ma that they plan on revolving their lives around the baby. Ma feels uneasy and does not think it is a wise idea; she fears separation of the family. When the car breaks down, Tom suggests that he and Casey stay behind to fix the car and hopefully get a ride on another car, and try to catch up with the rest of the Joads later on. Everybody except Ma agrees with this idea, and she snaps. She puts her foot down and threatens to beat Pa with a jack handle. "All we got is the family unbroke...I ain't scared while we're all here, all that's alive, but I ain't gonna see us bust up." (p. 169,170) This chapter again shows the need to stick together, and Ma's determination for unity.