A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE MOTHER FIGURE IN JOHN ERNEST STEINBECK'S EAST OF EDEN AND THE GRAPES OF WRATH

This article examines the representation of the mother figure in John Ernest Steinbeck’s novels East of Eden and The Grapes of Wrath through a comparative literary analysis. The study explores how Steinbeck conceptualizes motherhood not merely as a biological or familial role, but as a complex moral, social, and symbolic force shaped by historical context, gender expectations, and ethical responsibility. By analyzing key female characters—particularly Cathy Ames and Ma Joad—the article reveals two contrasting models of motherhood: destructive individualism and self-sacrificial collectivism. The findings demonstrate that Steinbeck uses maternal imagery to articulate broader philosophical concerns about good and evil, survival, social justice, and human resilience. The study contributes to Steinbeck scholarship by highlighting the centrality of the mother figure as a narrative and ideological axis in both novels.