Chapters 16-19 (B)

Water represents Ma's dignity and self-respect. She laments the lack of water as the cause of the family's dirtiness, which she is ashamed about. The Joads do not wash their potatoes and their clothes, which is a source of anxiety for Ma because she is unused to the filth. In addition, it is part of her maternal duty to keep the household running, which is difficult to do when there is no water for bathing and cleaning. #ch18 #gow
Lying with Granma's corpse reveals Ma's strength and self-sacrifice. She keeps the news of Granma's death away from the Joad family because she wants to keep up morale. Instead, she bottles up her emotions and lays with Granma's body for the entire night. However, this hidden grief takes a toll on Ma, which is shown when Tom puts his hand on her shoulder and she reacts negatively. #ch18 #gow Despite the Joads' own lack of wealth, Ma gives Ivy money when the Wilsons announce their separation from the Joads due to Sairy's sickness. In spite of the hardships that occur while the Joads make their way to CA, Ma retains her generous spirit. Ma is always putting other peoples' needs ahead of her own. The help that she willingly extends to others is ironic, given that Ma and the Joads are extremely self-dependent. #ch18 #gow

Ma takes a skillet and threatens to hit a policeman who disparagingly labels the Joads as "Okies". Ma is fiercely protective of her family. She is also angry that the policeman tries to intimidate her by loosening the gun in his holster. The aggressiveness that he shows towards Ma is unheard of back in Oklahoma. #ch18 #gow

Ma lies to the agricultural inspector because she does not want anyone to know about Granma's death. She rushes the inspection of the Joads' jalopy and tells the inspector that Granma is very sick, when in fact, Granma is dead.  This lie is a sacrifice on Ma's part since she cannot confide with the other Joads about Granma.  Ma's willingness to lie to government authority reflects her Transcendental beliefs. #ch18 #gow