Biblical Connections Chapters 1-10 Assignment I *

The Title

Observable biblical and religious connections in book The Grapes of Wrath, begins with the title. The phrase "grapes of wrath" appears in  Book of Revelations (14:19-20), which reads:

So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God.

This quote embodies the anger of the farmers towards the repressive institutions that have brought them to their plight.

The Book Of Exodus and Moses

The Okies exodus to California parallels the Israelite exodus out of Egypt. The appropriately named, Book of Exodus, chronicles a man named Moses who leads the enslaved Israelites to the promised land of Canaan. Before being called to lead the Isrealites, Moses killed an Egyptain who was abusing an Isrealite which draws a connection to the character of Tom Joad, who in chapter four, revealed that he killed a drunken man who stabbed him. Both Moses and Tom actions were provoked by a violent perpetrator. 

Tom's reconciliation with his family after he is released from jail and the subsequent decision to travel west to California, is like Moses becoming the leader of the Isrealites and deciding to travel west to Canaan. Like the Isrelaites the Joads seek to end their oppression by travelling to a promised land. Both travelling west face doubt among their group. The Isrealites and the Joads both fear of the troubles they will face on their journey.

The Book Of Job

This biblical story first draws connection to the Grapes of Wrath in the title. Job is pronounced Jobe, which sounds strikingly similar to the surname Joad. The hard times faced by the Joads allude to the suffering of Job, who faces several challenges to prove his commitment to God. Both suffer from a natural catastrophe that challenge their ability to survive. Job refuses to let these problems get the best of him and reaffirms his commitment to God, like the Joads who continue to put their faith in California, despite what rumors they hear.

The Book of Genesis

  

Steinbeck uses biblical diction to allude to the writing style of the bible.

Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon is a young women mentioned in the book of Songs who is seen as a symbol for hope and the only chance for new life for the people. Rose of Sharon in The Grapes of Wrath can be seen as owning this same symbol by virtue of her pregnancy. She carries a new generation that can be raised in the West with better chances of living a good life.

Sources: Title Info Allusions to Bible Mrs.Schuet Spoilers, Class Worksheet