The People Who Live
By Kristen Englehardt, with comments by Kelsey Lee, Jillian Sloand, and Danielle Albergo
[1] The scene begins with the Joad family once again on the road in pursuit of work. The camera focuses on Ma, Pa, and Al Joad in the front of the rickety truck as they set out on their newest journey. Throughout the entirety of the scene the camera is set so that it captures Ma in profile rather than full on. This angle seems to emphasize that Ma Joad is not really addressing the audience as she speaks, but rather her family. She is seen somewhat off center and to the right of the screen, as if to show that even here at the end Ma is still the backbone of the family, holding everyone together, but not truly the focus. By seeing the Joad's once again, with all of their worldly possessions strapped to their ramshackle truck, pursuing the American dream, the stage has been set for Ma Joad's eloquent speech. In crafting this scene one is immediately drawn to the sense of strength and purpose that spurs the family forward in pursuit of stability. Her words of strength are meant to keep her family together, to keep them going no matter what new struggles they may face.
[2] This portrayal is reflected in the conversation between the three. While Al and Pa excitedly discuss the advent of twenty days of work, Ma steps in as the cold hard voice of reason. Experience has taught Ma not to count her chickens before they hatch, she knows that the promise of twenty days work does not mean anything until they are working it. Here Ma Joad makes it clear that she is no longer scared of what hardships the family may face, whether there is work to be found or not their family will survive. This is the kind of people they are. Pa makes the statement that Ma is the one responsible for keeping the family together. Her words of strength are meant to keep the family going. This is conveyed through Ma's insistence that it is the woman's role in a family to be the constant, the one who does not crack but bends in the face of struggle and hardship as she says, “a woman can change better than a man . . . with a woman it's all in one flow like a stream, little eddies and waterfalls, but the river goes right on.†This idea is further compounded by the crafting of the scene. The camera angle does not change, showing Pa Joad on the left side of the screen, while Ma is profiled on the right. As the conversation between the two characters progresses, Pa's face is grim and his eyes unfocused, as if not really seeing but remembering all that has come to pass and all that has been lost along the way, showing a broken and beaten man who, if alone, would not have the courage and will to persevere. Ma Joad is his antithesis, as, her eyes looking out toward the future, the audience can almost feel her hope that what may come will bring peace and stability to her family, and with a look of determination on her face she shows the smallest hint of a smile, portraying the strength she uses to keep her family together. (see comment by Jillian Sloand)
[3] This depiction is clearly reflective of the overall purpose of the scene. The establishment of this scene is such that it makes the message being conveyed to the audience clearly distinguishable. Here the audience truly sees the spirit of the Okies. (see comment by Danielle Albergo ) As they watch the remaining members of the Joad family traveling in pursuit of a stable life, Ma Joad speaks with such honesty saying, “We're the people that live . . . we'll go on forever because we're the people that live.†This moment of discourse between the Joads epitomizes the determination and sense of perseverance that the Oklahomans embodied. Throughout the entire movie the audience has watched as the Joad family struggled, losing first their home and then their loved ones, but they never truly lost their desire to survive. Viewers looked on as the family was continually beaten down by the California natives who wanted to be rid of these people who came to pilfer the few remaining jobs, and through it all the Joads persevered. (see comment by Kelsey Lee) In the final moments of the film, the family is once again off in search of work, another passenger lighter after the abdication of Tom, and Ma is still staring out at the road as it stretches out in front of her saying, “we are the people who live.â€
Comments
While Englehardt is spot-on in her analysis of Ma Joad and her stabilizing role in the Joad family, I believe that Ma Joad's final words carry a message beyond the desire to simply survive. The Oxford English Dictionary presents numerous definitions of the verb "live." One definition reads: “To sustain oneself in life, esp. with food; to feed, subsist. Also, to support oneself by means of a source of income.†And yet another definition states: “With reference to the rule or guiding principle, or to the object and purpose, of one's life.†Although the attainment of food and income are central to the Joad family's journey, I believe that this final scene speaks to something far more complex than simply satisfying our basic human needs. In Ma Joad’s eyes, living means much more than just breathing in and out--living is to struggle, to fight, to endure. Ma Joad says, "that's what makes us tough. Rich fellas come up and they die. Their kids ain't no good and they die out, but we keep a-comin'." The “rich fellas†make money and have food to eat; technically, they “live.†But they don’t really live -- they don’t live with a purpose -- for they do not know what it means to struggle or to overcome adversity or to hope. The Joad family, and the many other displaced, unemployed Oklahomans, lives with a purpose: to overcome the obstacles before them and to prevail--and be better for it.
It could also be said with evidence that Ford decided to frame only Ma and Pa Joads’s faces in the truck to emphasize the individualism/community conflict portrayed throughout the storyline. Pa’s face remains stern, still, and unemotional as Ma harks on the power of their family as a people and their futures as such. His contributions to the dialogue of this scene are restricted to one-liners with little substance as compared to Ma’s insightful speech. Pa loses his persona and turns into a stone wall as Ma rattles off her optimism to him, and he bounces her hope back to her. Ma is the true life in this scene. She is the only one speaking of significance, and Ford shows this by allowing Ma to speak with emotion in her facial expressions and with inflections in her voice. Although it is true that one of Steinbeck’s predominant themes is that of power and hope found differently between the sexes, this scene also depicts the argument between the individuals and family. This scene almost cuts the frame in half, separating Ma and Pa, as Ma speaks and Pa listens. This only emphasizes the individualism that, as Steinbeck reveals, comes as a result of fear and hopelessness in rough times. Instead of coming together, people during this time in America seemed to separate from their communities more and focus on their individual success in order to continue their lives to their satisfaction. Ford makes this point evident in this scene, as he even separates Ma and Pa in the same family -- furthermore, here he separates the leading figures of the family. Yet, in order to conclude his theme and prove the success of the community, he allows Pa to become more interactive in the scene toward the end, as Ma talks about the future and her optimism about their family’s success. Pa finally takes a long look at Ma specifically when she mentions “we the people,†to reveal the bond that Ma’s speech mends between their family. As the film ends, viewers are left with the feeling that the Joads’ future will be favorable; but, specifically, the futures of the family now, rather than the individuals, look up. Ford also finally exposes the communal values that all of the Americans who go through tough times together should remember in order to enhance our communities and keep the people going strong.
I would like to elaborate on the unique "spirit of the Okie" Kristen refers to. Although this film mainly focuses on the Joad's immigration to California, their family's attitude is reflective of the Okie spirit as a whole. The Joads definitely face a lot of hardship throughout this film. Whether it's embarking on an extensive journey through the desert in an old, run-down jalopy or searching for soft bread for Grandma, the Joads are constantly facing troubles. These Okies fearlessly tackle their struggles despite the lack of resources they have with a sense of pride along the way. They are extremely underpaid workers; however, they rarely complain. In order to survive they will take any job opportunity they can find. For example, at the beginning of this film the Joads are desperately searching for signs of work. They come across a flier that reads "Plenty of work in California. 800 Pickers wanted." Despite their lack of knowledge about availability of these jobs, they are quick to pack their belongings and venture into the unknown. When confronted with hardship, the Okies show a brave attitude and willingness to succeed. I greatly admire this spirit they exhibit.
