What courageous act does Ma perform to help the family cross the desert successfully?

• A. She stays all night with Granma's pay, not telling anyone that Granma had died so the family can get across.
• B. She packs provisions for the journey.
• C. She persuades Ma to tell the truth about Granma's death.
• D. She prays for the family's safety.

Answer: (A)

Ma’s courage shines in a moment when keeping the family moving matters more than personal truth. By staying with Granma’s pay all night and not telling anyone that Granma had died, she shields the group from panic and delay at a critical juncture. This quiet deception is not about selfishness but about safeguarding morale and the chance to cross the desert together. It shows Ma taking on the emotional burden herself to preserve the family’s unity and forward momentum toward a hopeful future in California. The act embodies her practical, protective leadership that keeps the Joads cohesive under pressure.