Ma Joad represents the "Earth Mother," the resilient backbone of the family and the moral compass for her son, Tom.

Why Are There So Few Books About Mothers and Sons? - Literary Hub

Mother-son relationships in cinema and literature range from portrayals of fierce, unconditional protection to psychological studies of intense, sometimes destructive, codependency . This dynamic often serves as a primary vehicle for exploring themes of identity, sacrifice, and the lasting impact of maternal influence. 25 Greatest Movies About Mother-Son Relationships, Ranked

. While father-daughter or father-son bonds are frequently explored in traditional narratives, the mother-son dynamic is often noted for its particular psychological complexity. Key Themes and Tropes The Overbearing Matriarch

Perhaps the most iconic example is D.H. Lawrence’s semi-autobiographical novel, Sons and Lovers . Here, the relationship between Paul Morel and his mother, Gertrude, is depicted with unflinching psychological depth. Gertrude, emotionally starved by her alcoholic husband, pours her vitality into her son. It is a love that is intense, cerebral, and ultimately paralyzing. Paul cannot form a healthy romantic relationship because his emotional core is already occupied by his mother. Lawrence captures the tragedy of the "mother-fixated" man: the mother becomes a vampire of the spirit, draining the son of his individuality under the guise of devotion.

Movies like Lady Bird (though focused on a daughter, it mirrors the dynamic) and Boyhood show the slow, often painful process of a son detaching from his mother’s orbit.