Why does Ma provoke Pa to anger?

• A. She wants him to get angry because an angry man cannot be defeated
• B. She wants revenge for how he treats her
• C. She wants him to realize that his plan would never work
• D. She wants to teach Tom a lesson

Answer: (A)

Anger is used as a trigger to awaken Pa’s resolve and drive him into action. Ma understands that when Pa feels anger, he taps into a stronger, more decisive energy—enough to push through fear and doubt and to make hard choices for the family’s survival. By provoking that anger, she’s aiming to turn hesitation into momentum, so he can stand up to the obstacles they face and guide the family forward with renewed purpose. It isn’t about revenge, undermining his plan, or teaching Tom a lesson; it’s about summoning the leadership energy she knows he possesses in moments of righteous anger.