In The Grapes of Wrath, which Joad daughter saves the life of a toothless old man?

• A. Ma Joad
• B. Ruthie
• C. Winfield
• D. Rose of Sharon (Rosasharn)

Answer: (D)

This moment questions how compassion can rise even in dire poverty. Rose of Sharon, the youngest Joad daughter who is pregnant for much of the journey, embodies a plain, powerful mercy. When a toothless old man lies dying by the roadside, there’s almost nothing to give him—no food, no medicine, nothing but the human spark to reach out. She offers her milk to him, effectively saving his life. This act stands out because it directly shows a motherly, life-preserving instinct in the midst of hardship, a choice to prioritize another’s survival over their own comfort or future.

The other daughters aren’t the ones who perform this rescue in that moment. Ma Joad is the family’s steady caretaker, but the scene with saving a stranger’s life is Rose of Sharon’s gesture, highlighting her growth into that maternal role. Ruthie is a younger, more impulsive presence, and Winfield is even younger, so neither of them undertakes this kind of life-saving act. The scene is a stark reminder of humanity persisting when circumstances strip away security, and Rose of Sharon’s action is the emblem of that enduring care.