The Changing Concept of Family in The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Throughout the book, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, the physical transition of the Joad family from a small, close-knit group of people living a quiet life on a farm in Oklahoma, corresponds to the internal transition of the concept of family. When the Joads leave their farm and travel west, they no longer live alone in their isolated unit. Engaging with other families during migration changes their focus, and by the end of the book, family members each strive in their own ways to embrace all humanity as family. Initially, Joad's attention is focused on his immediate family. and their struggle to be together. Individual family members appear to have specific roles. Mr. Joad, as was typical of the time and area, is the decision maker and breadwinner. Mrs. Joad, the emotional leader of the family, is the real strength and recognizes her position. “He seemed to know that if he faltered, the family would tremble, and if he faltered or despaired really deeply, the family would fall, the family's will to function would disappear.” (Page 80) One of the first events in which the family expands during the journey is the death of the grandfather. The Wilsons, another migrant family, lend their tent so Grandpa can rest and while Mom prepares Grandpa for burial, Mrs. Wilson prepares dinner for the family. More importantly, the grandfather's death is recorded on a page in Mrs. Wilson's Bible. An even more significant event occurs when the Joads are holding a family reunion and Dad calls the Wilsons to hear their thoughts. When the time comes to continue the journey, the decision is made that the two families will travel together. But agr......middle of paper......helps her but after her baby is stillborn, she recognizes the needs of a starving old man and nurses him to keep him alive. This appears to be the final step in the incorporation of the family from a single unit to a broader concept of the entire human family. Although the immediate family becomes smaller, the Joads become part of a larger family as they join other migrant families to endure the hardships and cruelties of the journey. In all ways they interact like a family. The Joads and other families help protect each other, feed each other when food is limited, and care for each other by providing support during times of loss and death and even sharing moments of joy such as birth of a new baby. The Joad family suffered several tragedies that resulted in losses to their family group, but eventually became much larger than when they began..