Quote:
Originally Posted by ccowie
She's a stereotype in every way. There are many brilliantly conceived characters in literature, but I just don't see anything but ordinary in Ma Joad.
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One can see her that way, I'm sure, but personally, I think she goes well beyond a simple stereotype. She is inspirational and she has agency.
In
The Dusty Shelf, Michael Shaler defends her thus:
http://www.thedustyshelf.com/1-5/joad.php
I must confess, too, that I am influenced by the moving and much admired performance of her character given by Jane Darwell in the 1940 film.