"It’s time for it." And then she turned to the car door, where the men lay. "We’re a-gettin’ outa here," she said savagely, "gettin’ to higher groun’. An’ you’re comin’ or you ain’t comin’, but I’m takin’ Rosasharn an’ the little fellas outa here."
– John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath, Chapter 30. Ma Joad demonstrates her resiliance after the camp flood and asserts her authority over the men, Pa and Al. She delares that she is taking Rose of Sharon and the younger children to higher ground and the men can follow or not. Despite her family taking hit after hit, Ma with her indomitable nature still perseveres.