Biblical Allusions in The Grapes of Wrath

Welcome Back, Everyone!

Thursday, the class discussed how the title of The Grapes of Wrath refers to both the old hymn (a song with a militant spirit that urges the soldiers to persevere over their oppressors) and the book of Revelations (which says Babylon, the oppressors, will "drink of the wine of the wrath of God") in the Christian Bible.

References to grapes continue throughout the novel. For example, Grampa says he is going to pick grapes and then soak in the juice, letting it "run down" his pants (93). He later says that he will always be "nibblin" on grapes when the family reaches California (103). In addition, Steinbeck's diction alludes to grapes: after Wilson's car breaks down, the family "clustered about the touring car" to discuss their options (166). (Clustering gives the family unity--strength in numbers, which they will need to defeat their oppressors.)

Grapes, however, are not the only biblical allusions in this wonderful work. Hence, your assignment requires you to highlight other Biblical allusions: explain, connect, and cite. Allusions can be obvious, but they may also be subtle references about Biblical principles and values.

Your first postings should be sent by Friday at 1:00 P.M. Please, read Friday's postings and post an additional comment by Monday morning.

Make a great weekend, despite your homework,

Mrs. E

The Naming of Cats

Students:

Below is a poem by T.S. Eliot
(Kayla, I thought of you while selecting this.)

Please, read the poem and comment on two aspects:

1. What characteristics do actual cats have that might have led the speaker to suggest, humorously, each of the three kinds of names?

2. Evaluate T.S.Eliot's personal feelings toward cats.






The Naming of Cats

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT Names.
First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey--
All of them sensible everyday names.
There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter--
But all of them sensible everyday names.
But I tell you, a cat needs a name that’s particular,
A name that’s peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum-
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
But above and beyond there’s still one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover—
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.

Favorite Poet?

Hi All,

We are going to start close-readings on poetry starting Tuesday. I am wondering if you have any favorite poets. Please, post if you do and we'll read him/her in class.

One of my favorites is Robert Frost. Here is one to read and to respond to. What do you think Frost would want readers to take away from reading this poem? What words express Frost's desire?

This is due by Monday, January 22, so I can talk about it on Tuesday.

The Road Not Taken

by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that, the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.