Nuclear Families

Steinbeck portrays how migrant families need to be dependent within themselves as well as with other families in chapter 11-18. Joad and his family interact with other migrant families along their journey which demonstrates Steinbeck's claim.The migrant families and the Joad family were able to keep pushing on in their journey and through their adversity by creating a sense of community. Steinbeck uses the interactions between the Joad family and the Wilson family to support his claim, and display the importance of support from other migrant families. The families were able to help each other out along the trek to California. Steinbeck writes about how both families help each other out both situationally and emotionally as well, such as when Sairy asks, "'How'd you like ta come in our tent?...You kin lay down on our mattress an' rest...We'll he'p you over'" (173). This type of neighborly love helped to get both families on their way to California.For example, the Joad family returns the favor by returning to aid the Wilson family by repairing their car. There two families continue on towards their destination together, continuing Steinbecks claim of the families being able to make it through tough times with the aid of each other, both with the mental aspect of having another family helping you and the other families actually helping you along the way. The families are also nuclear in the way that they are structured within themselves, like a father, mother, and kids and so they can be dependent on one another within the families. In a marriage, the souses should share the same goals. " A constant partner, leading them to what they desire most (156). Steinbeck portrays a common occurrence that should be present in a nuclear family, for the Joad family it is going to California.