Biblical allusions are famous in John Steinbeck's, The Grapes of Wrath. The biblical imagery that is demonstrated throughout the novel significantly enhances the meaning of the story all the way through the development of the characters and the plot. These also highlight the fact that certain ideas in the Bible are still valid in our every day lives. Peter Lisca has noted that the novel reflects the three-part division of the Old Testament exodus account, which includes captivity, journey, and the Promised Land. Steinbecks reference from the Bible reflects his personal analysis about religion and allows him to reinforce his theme of migrant families emerging to form a community to work together. Steinbeck uses the protagonist, Tom Joad, ex-preacher Jim Casy and Rose of Sharon to exemplify Christ-like figures in the book. The Joad family is often used to symbolize groups of people or specific persons in the Bible. The journey that the Joads embarks upon itself is a depiction from the Bible. Granpa Joad, the Joads and the flood represent Lots wife, the Hebrews and Noahs ark correspondingly.
The Joads' story is equivalent with that of the Hebrews. Just as the Hebrews were hostages of the Pharaoh, the Joads' are hostages of their farm. Both make long and tough expeditions until they get to their promised land. Israel is the destination for the Hebrews and California plays the similar role for the Joads. When the Joads get on their journey, the twelve members relates to the twelve tribes of Israel who are leaving the old order behind. They mount the truck in ark fashion, two by two, as Noah Joad observes from the ground. This chapter ten scene is an allusion to the story of Noah's Ark . . . 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. They also take a few of their animals with them just as Noah took a pair of each animal with him. They also represent to be Jesus disciples because the twelve disciples parallel that to the twelve Joads. Connie represents the traitor, the Judas figure who had betrayed Jesus the night of his arrest, when he walks out on his family for selfish reasons. Hope helps the Joads to overcome all their grief and sorrows, so that they can continue their journey.
Jim Casey corresponds to Jesus Christ throughout the novel. They both possess the same initials J.C. Just like Jesus, Casey leads his life as an example to others, for instance, Jesus serves as a master to his people and Casey serves as a tutor to Tom. He changes from being a preacher to be a social worker and a teacher. During the first half of the novel, he is thinking and reforming his ideas. He is the voice of modern faith, who is constantly thinking and re- evaluating his ideas about how people live their lives. Like Jesus, he embarks upon his mission after a long period of meditation in the wilderness. Casey compares himself to Jesus when he says- I got tired like Him, an I got mixed up like Him, an I went into wilderness like Him, without no campin stuff. (105). In the same manner, the twelve Joads set out their journey with Casey towards the unclear future, just as the twelve disciples followed Jesus. Casey is associated to Jesus because he promotes for change, kindness and love for ordinary people. He shows his consideration by highlighting that the injured woman needs medical attention, just like Jesus thought of others before Him. Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and Casey is arrested in the Hoverville. Casey tells his persecutors, just as Jesus said- You dont know what youre doin (495). Casey dies for the workers and Jesus dies for his people.
At the beginning, Toms homecoming from prison is comparable to that of the prodigal son. Tom functions as a Moses type of leader to the family as they journey towards the Promised Land. Like Moses, he has slaughtered a man and had been away for a time before rejoining his people and becoming their leader. Like Moses, he has a younger brother (Aaron-Al) who serves as a medium for the leader. Shortly before reaching the destination, he takes notice of and rejects the evil tales of those who have visited the land (Hebrew "spies"- Oklahomans going back). Tom later on progresses to be Caseys disciple as he decides to carry on Caseys work for the poor workers. Tom also parallels Simon Peter from the Bible because Peter cut off Malchus ear when he came to arrest Jesus; likewise, Tom killed the person who murdered Casey. Tom Joad shows that he has adopted Casy's ideas later in the book when he is leaving his family and the cotton-picking camp and tells ma "Wherever they's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. Wherever they's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there. ... An' when our folks eat the stuff they raise an' live in the houses they build- why, I'll be there." (537).
Steinbeck uses other New Testament allusions in addition to that of the messiah. One of them is the final scene of the novel with Rose of Sharon. Just like Mary, she becomes the mother of the earth, restoring the world with her consideration and love. She is noted to be a replication of the Madonna and her child, baby Jesus. Peter Lisca says that she by giving life to the stranger is characteristically giving body and wine and in doing this, she accepts the larger vision of Jim Casy and her commitment fulfills the terms of salvation according to Casy's ultimate plan. Her sacrifice proposes the concept of rebirth through Christs physical body, which is represented in the ritual of communion. When she tells the man to drink her milk she illustrates the Last Supper when Christ tells his disciples Take, drink; this is my blood. Rose of Sharon understands that the man will die without her, in the same way Christ says that without Him, people will die spiritually. Rose of Sharon illustrates the idea of serving others in need through her actions in the conclusion of the novel. Rose of Sharon has been transformed by her pregnancy into someone who is almost virtuous in character and appearance.
Granpa's character is a reference to the story of Lot's wife. He is unable to come to grips with the outlook of a new life, and his remembrance of the past results in his death. Lot's wife dies in the similar manner. She turns into a pillar of salt when she looks back into her past. This parallel is emphasized by the scripture verse, a direct quotation from Lot, which Tom uses to bury with him.
The flood at the end of the novel is another example of a Biblical allusion used
by Steinbeck. This situation parallels to the Old Testament story of Noahs Ark. In both of the
events, heavy rains cause a flood that result in the families leaving their homes. In
the novel, the Joads and the Wainwrights gather their belongings onto a platform and
wait out for the flood, much like Noah and his family gather on the ark for forty days until
the rain stops. These situations show again the importance of unity and helping one
another to make it through troubles.
Steinbecks many allusions to the Bible reflect his personal views about religion
and allow him to reinforce his theme of migrant families coming together to form a
community to work together. He alludes to Biblical characters through Jim Casy and
Rose of Sharon, events like the familys journey to California and the flood at the end of
the novel, and teachings throughout the novel that are found in the Bible. All of these symbols express hope faith, love, unity and regeneration despite of the desperate circumstances. The Bible is the word of God and is supposed to be used in ones everyday life because it serves as a mediator between oneself and God.
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