In 1938 John Steinbeck began writing The Grapes of Wrath, a novel which was to gain him his greatest acclaim. This novel is set in the time of the Great Depression and of the Dust Bowl in America. In The Grapes of Wrath Steinbeck tries to expose the hardships and plights of the people dispossessed from their lands during that time. People like the Joads from Oklahoma that were to become exploited migrant workers in California, a place which they thought the Promised Land.
Hence, Steinbeck gained the reputation of being a “proletarian writer” because he sides with the common worker. Thus, The Grapes of Wrath also belongs to Steinbeck’s Labor Trilogy. What is more, his novel was sharply criticized and very much discussed at the time of its publication: “It was publicly banned and burned by citizens, it was debated on national radio hook-ups; but above all, it was read”. In spite of all this critique, in 1940 Steinbeck was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for this novel and in 1962 he also won the Noble Prize for Literature.
Hence, the Grapes of Wrath must be more than simply a piece of propagandistic writing. In point of fact, “Steinbeck patterned the book on far more universal themes, both the biblical story of Exodus, and also humanity’s capacity for survival (…) in the face of (…) calamity”. It is very interesting that Steinbeck uses biblical parallels in his story. Thus, he alludes to the Old Testament, the Israelites and the Exodus as well as to Christ and the New Testament. In other words, one might also say that Steinbeck takes the reader through the development of the Bible in order to reveal the migrants’ developing humanity and religion.
This is already suggested by the title of this novel for it is taken from The Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe. The fact that Steinbeck’s great American novel seems to rely firmly on a biblical consciousness is suggested in this context because the lyrics of the Battle Hymn also refer to the biblical passage Revelation. This passage appeals to deliverance in the final judgement. Hence, as far as the novel is concerned, it is suggested that there will also be deliverance of the workers after managing all their hardships and developing compassion and humanity.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Biblical Story of Exodus in The Grapes of Wrath:
- The Exodus of the Joads
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the function of biblical symbolism in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. It examines how Steinbeck utilizes biblical parallels, particularly the story of Exodus and allusions to Christ, to illuminate the experiences and development of the migrant workers during the Great Depression.
- The Exodus narrative as a framework for understanding the Joads' journey.
- The portrayal of Jim Casy and Tom Joad as Christ-like figures.
- The development of compassion and humanity amongst the migrant workers.
- The use of biblical imagery to enhance thematic resonance and meaning.
- The depiction of California as a promised land, contrasting with the harsh realities faced by the migrants.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of biblical symbolism in The Grapes of Wrath. It establishes the historical context of the novel, highlighting the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, and introduces Steinbeck's portrayal of the plight of migrant workers. The chapter also touches upon the novel's critical reception, awards, and its significance beyond mere propagandistic writing, emphasizing the universal themes explored through biblical parallels and humanity's capacity for survival. The introduction lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis by highlighting the novel's reliance on biblical consciousness and suggesting that Steinbeck's use of biblical symbols reveals the migrants' evolving humanity and spirituality.
The Biblical Story of Exodus in The Grapes of Wrath: This chapter delves into the comparison between the Joads' journey and the biblical story of Exodus. It explores the concept of America as a promised land, referencing historical parallels between the Puritans and the Israelites. The chapter analyzes how Steinbeck structures the novel around the themes of hardship, journey, captivity, and the promised land, highlighting the Joads' displacement from their land, their arduous journey to California, and their hopes for a better life. The comparison is reinforced by symbolic details like the number of Joad family members mirroring the twelve tribes of Israel and the truck serving as a parallel to Noah's Ark. This parallels the Israelites' journey from slavery to freedom, underscoring the migrants' suffering and yearning for redemption.
Keywords
The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck, Biblical Symbolism, Exodus, Promised Land, Great Depression, Dust Bowl, Migrant Workers, Christ Figure, Compassion, Humanity, Religious Symbolism, American Exodus, Old Testament, New Testament.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Biblical Symbolism in John Steinbeck's *The Grapes of Wrath*
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the function of biblical symbolism, specifically the story of Exodus and allusions to Christ, in John Steinbeck's *The Grapes of Wrath*. It explores how these symbols illuminate the experiences and development of the migrant workers during the Great Depression.
What key themes are explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the Exodus narrative as a framework for the Joads' journey, the portrayal of Jim Casy and Tom Joad as Christ-like figures, the development of compassion and humanity among the migrants, the use of biblical imagery to enhance thematic resonance, and the depiction of California as a promised land contrasted with the harsh realities faced by the migrants.
How does the paper compare the Joads' journey to the biblical story of Exodus?
The paper draws parallels between the Joads' migration and the Israelites' journey from slavery to freedom. It examines how Steinbeck uses the structure of the Exodus narrative (hardship, journey, captivity, promised land) to frame the Joads' experience. Symbolic details like the number of Joad family members and the family's truck are compared to the twelve tribes of Israel and Noah's Ark, respectively.
What is the significance of Jim Casy and Tom Joad's portrayal?
The paper analyzes Jim Casy and Tom Joad as Christ-like figures, exploring how their actions and sacrifices contribute to the themes of compassion, sacrifice, and spiritual growth within the migrant community.
What is the role of biblical imagery in *The Grapes of Wrath*?
The paper argues that Steinbeck's use of biblical imagery enhances the novel's thematic resonance and meaning, deepening the reader's understanding of the migrants' suffering, their yearning for redemption, and their evolving humanity and spirituality.
What is the significance of California in the context of the Exodus narrative?
The paper examines California as a representation of the promised land, highlighting the contrast between the migrants' hopes for a better life and the harsh realities they encounter upon arrival. This contrast emphasizes the complexity of the migrants' experience and the limitations of simplistic interpretations of the American Dream.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of the introduction, which sets the historical and literary context, and the main chapter focusing on the Exodus parallel in the novel. The introduction also highlights the novel's significance beyond its propagandistic aspects, emphasizing its universal themes and exploration of human resilience.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Keywords include *The Grapes of Wrath*, John Steinbeck, Biblical Symbolism, Exodus, Promised Land, Great Depression, Dust Bowl, Migrant Workers, Christ Figure, Compassion, Humanity, Religious Symbolism, American Exodus, Old Testament, and New Testament.
- Quote paper
- Dr. Sirinya Pakditawan (Author), 2011, Biblical Symbolism in John Steinbeck’s "The Grapes of Wrath", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/284068
