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.
. 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
7 comments:
I had a little help on this one from one of my group leaders, but to credit myself, I do know the story pretty well.
Grampa's character is an allusion to the story of Lot's wife. He is unable to come to terms with the prospect of a new life, and his recollection of the past and parting with his home and land, results in his death. Lot's wife died in the same manner. She turned into a pillar of salt when she looked back into her past (The burning city of Sodom). The parallel is emphasized by the scripture verse, a direct quotation from Lot, which Tom suggests burying Grampa with, "'An' Lot said unto them, Oh not so my Lord,'" p143. (in my bible it's "But Lot said to them, 'No my lords please,'" Genesis 19:18)
The Joads end up burying Grampa with a verse from Psalm 32:1 "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." (side note - my dad preached on the psalms passage a few weeks ago. The sermon was on guilt and joy. Anyway sorry.)
On page 208 Noah decides to leave the family and go on his own. This reminded me of the story of the prodigal son. The reason for me relating Noah to that is because he leaves to live on his own by the river, but i don't believe he can make it on his own out there. Instead of being able to return home, though, i believ he'll und up dying one way or another. A connection in the returning home, though, is when Tom Joad returns to his family with nothing after being gone for years. Jim Casey even says, "It's a thing to see when a boy comes home. It's a thing to see." (72), and even says, "Maybe Tom'll kill the fatted calf like for the prodigal son in scripture."(29)
Wow adina, now that you make that connection of Grandpa to Lot's wife I can completely see the connection, but i would have never seen that on my own. I applaude you in you efforts.
A side note, though, on Grandpa not being able to come to terms with a new life is what Tom says about the only people that are really going to see the "new life" are Ruthie and Winfield, because everyone else will be seeing their first move or some other event in their past; grandpa was just the only one that couldn't come to terms with it.
I did a bible search on the word "victory", to see if granma's "pu-raise Gawd fur vittory!" could reveal any insight. I hit the mother load.
In Isaiah, chapter 24, God reveals a vision to Isaiah concerning the destruction of the Earth in the end times. Steinbeck could have stuck this chapter in his book and you would have hardly noticed, they are that similar.
It talks about the Earth drying up, the crops withering, and how the skies "refuse to rain" (Isa 24:4). The chapter centers on how God will "destroy the Earth and make it a vast wasteland," and how He will scatter the people "over the face of the Earth" (Isa 24:1). The events and images described here are almost exactly the same as in The Grapes of Wrath, down to the people's flight from destruction to the hardships they face along the way ("traps and snares"). It's almost like a plot summary for the first half of the book. And if that's not enough...
Isaiah 24:7-9 "All the joys of life will be gone. The grape harvest will fail, and there will be no wine. The merrymakers will sigh and mourn. The clash of tambourines will be stilled; the happy cries of celebration will be heard no more. The melodious chords of the harp will be silent. Gone are the joys of wine and song; strong drink now turns bitter in the mouth."
and
Isaiah 24:13 "Throughout the earth the story will be the same -- like the stray olives left on the tree or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest, only a remnant is left."
(Passages are taken from the New International Version)
P.S. Actually, the verse that turned up from my search was Isaiah 25:8, which, according to the King James Version, reads like this:
"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it."
As you all know I have drawn attention to "Rose of Sharon" many times because the name literally means rose of the desert. This has strong ties to Jesus, who went out into the desert and survived, even though no one was supposed to survive in the desert. I also found it interesting that Noah was drawn by water, just because of the obvious story of Noah and the Ark. Interesting that Steinbeck's Noah becomes entranced by water
I completely see the connection between Noah and the prodigal son, and I like how Steinbeck alludes to that story in both Noah and Tom.
On Ruthie and Winfeld - just like the Israelites, Ruthie and Winfeld are about the only people that are really going to see the "new life." The Hebrews spent 40 years in the desert, and even Moses didn't get to live to see the promised land. The journey for the Israelites lasted so many years that only the younger generation made it to the Promised Land. In the same way Granma andGrampa died before they reached the promised California.
While Isaiah chapters 24-26 prophesies about the judgement of the earth, chapter 27 puts forth the redemption of Israel. One day Israel will be completely redeemed and vindicated from her enemies. Here Isaiah draws from Satan himself. Chapter 27 speaks of Israel's redemption from Satan. This total defeat of the enemy does not take place until the last battle of Armageddon in Revelation 19. While the Revelation 16-18 discuss God's wrath (7 bowls - any allusions to the number 7? I know there is to the number 12...) Revelation 19 puts forth Israel's redemption.
If I remember correctly, the prodigal son's brother was not very happy at the reception the son received from the father. In the book, however, Tom's brother seems to admire, even revere, him. I wonder where this attitude came from, and if there are biblical connections. (Then again, maybe not...)
Granpa died from being removed from the land that was such a large part of him, and he never actually saw the "promised land". Is it possible that his fate may have been different if he sawwhat they had come to? Or would he have died anyways, because the land is just too foreign, no matter how beautiful it is?
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