Biblical References in Grapes of Wrath Essay - 1287 Words

In his novel Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck integrated many biblical references and values throughout the book. This provided a more intriguing and complex style of writing that he used to tell about the Dust Bowl of the early 1900’s and the arduous journey the Joad family and many others took to reach California. The first biblical reference is revealed when the Joad family leaves for California. â€Å"the rest swarmed up on top of the load, Connie and Rose of Sharon, Pa and Uncle John, Ruthie and Winfield, Tom and the preacher. Noah stood on the ground, looking up at the great load of them sitting on top of the truck (Steinbeck 113)† This passage relates to the loading of animals into Noah’s Ark in Genesis 7:15 where it is written that†¦show more content†¦Another biblical reference is shown when the Joad’s move to California. Their journey to California from Oklahoma is a biblical reference due to the similarity to the exodus of the Jews to Is rael from Egypt. This is distinguished by the similarities between the Joad’s and the Jews, the Joad’s were captives of their farm while the Jews were captives of Egypt. Throughout their journey, Ma becomes a Moses like figure but leading the family through hard times and tries to keep the family together. She kept the family moving towards California even though Grandma was dead in her lap. California was the promised land for the Joad’s and other Okies and Ma led the family there. California brings about another biblical allusion. As part of Moses bringing his people out of Egypt, he told of a promised land to where he would take the Israelites, and that land was Canaan. For the Joad’s and many other migrants, California was the promised land they were searching for. Apart from both of the promised lands beginning with the letter C, they had many things in common. â€Å"The vineyards, the orchards, the great flat valley, green and beautiful†¦the peach trees and the walnut groves, and the dark green patches of oranges (Steinbeck 227).† This is an allusion to the promised land of the Jews, where in Numbers 13:27 it states â€Å"We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit (Zondervan 207).† Both lands were bursting withShow MoreRelatedBiblical Allusions In The Grapes Of Wrath1717 Words   |  7 Pagesnovel, The Grapes of Wrath, is a story that describes the journey of the Joad famil y through the brutal migration from Oklahoma s destroying Dust Bowl to California corrupt promised land. Through the depiction of events and portrayal of characters, the bible takes part in the novel as one whole allusion. The story of struggle for survival in the fallen state of Oklahoma and in the â€Å"promised land† of California, reveals the same ideas shown as we explore in the bible. In The Grapes of Wrath, authorRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1075 Words   |  5 PagesKirsten Lloyd Mr. Eldridge AP Junior English 21 August 2014 Grapes of Wrath â€Å"Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.† (Seneca), In the 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, the reader accompanies the Joad family as they struggle to escape the crippling Dust Bowl of the mid- 1930’s. In hopes of establishing a new life for themselves after being forced off their land the family embark on a journey from Oklahoma to California in search of fruitful crops and steady work alongRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1563 Words   |  7 Pages John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, depicts a migrant farming family in the 1930s. During this time, life revolved around the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, making circumstances difficult for almost everyone involved, especially those who had little. This time of drought and despair caused people to lose hope in everything they’ve ever known, even themselves, but those who did not, put their hope in the â€Å"promised land† of California. Here, the grass was thought to be truly greenerRead MoreBiblical Allusions In The Grapes Of Wrath1633 Words   |  7 Pagesis religion. The religious aspects of his stories are primarily shown through subtle connections to Biblical characters along with other hints. The most prominent piece of literature that displays religious connections is his novel The Grapes of Wrath. For the duration of the story, religion helps sustain the characters of the novel from difficult times. His novel contains numerous Biblical r eferences that are conveyed through the characters of the Joad family along with Jim Casy; Steinbeck wants hisRead MoreBiblical Allusions In The Grapes Of Wrath1796 Words   |  8 PagesThe Grapes of Wrath, is a story that construes the journey of the Joad family through the brutal migration from Oklahoma s destroying Dust Bowl to California corrupt promised land. Through the depiction of events and portrayal of characters, the bible takes part in the novel as one whole allusion. The anecdote of the struggle for survival in the fallen state of Oklahoma and in the â€Å"promised land† of California, reveals the same ideas shown as we explore in the bible. In The Grapes of Wrath, authorRead MoreEssay on Grapes of Wrath - biblica comparison615 Words   |  3 Pages Many novels written contain parallels to the Bible. This couldn’t be truer in the case John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck alludes to Biblical characters and events with the use of Rose o f Sharon, Jim Casy, and also the Joad’s journey to California. There are other events in the book that parallel the Bible, although the portrayal of Rose of Sharon and Jim Casy are the most obvious. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The novel is broken into 3 different partsRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck2739 Words   |  11 PagesHeavren 15 Christian Symbolism in The Grapes of Wrath Since the first civilizations, religion has greatly influenced the development of life. It has been a constant presence in America, tracing back to the Puritans who voyaged to the New World to escape religious persecution. Centuries later, religion has retained its place in American society, being expressed in a variety of ways and particularly emanating in times of struggle and hardship. Amidst a period of great difficulty for average AmericansRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poem Grapes Of Wrath Essay1076 Words   |  5 Pages3.. The tile itself is an allusion to a biblical reference. The line â€Å"Grapes of Wrath† comes from a Hymn, songs sang in churches, titled â€Å"The Battle Hymn of the Republic.† The journey that the Joad family goes on is a biblical allusion to the Exodus Journey. All the parts of the Journey can be traced back to the Bible. When the drought that stops the family from working in family comes to the journey to california and to working in calif ornia. The farm because their prison like the prisoners of theRead More Symbols and Symbolism in John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath2004 Words   |  9 PagesSymbols and Symbolism in John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath      Ã‚   Symbolism in The Grapes of Wrath is extremely complex, with many images drawn from the Old and New Testaments.   However, Steinbeck as usual was eclectic in his use of symbols, and a great deal of the novel is given to either pagan and universal archetypes, or to highly original meanings unique to the authors own vision and experience.   While acknowledging the Judeo-Christian content, these other symbols are just as importantRead More A Comparison of Migrant Workers in The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men2731 Words   |  11 PagesMigrant Workers in The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   John Steinbeck wrote about what surrounded him. At the time he was writing, the nineteen-thirties, a great depression was plaguing the United States. Many people were out of work. Many farmers were losing their farms and homes. An extreme drought had also wrecked the farms of the Midwest and made them into what is now referred to as the dust bowl. It was a terrible time to be poor, and most were. People died of malnutrition