Biblical Symbolism in John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath'

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Drama, Anthologies
Cover of the book Biblical Symbolism in John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath' by Sirinya Pakditawan, GRIN Verlag
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Sirinya Pakditawan ISBN: 9783656841197
Publisher: GRIN Verlag Publication: November 17, 2014
Imprint: GRIN Verlag Language: English
Author: Sirinya Pakditawan
ISBN: 9783656841197
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Publication: November 17, 2014
Imprint: GRIN Verlag
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 1,2, , language: English, abstract: 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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 1,2, , language: English, abstract: 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.

More books from GRIN Verlag

Cover of the book Die Regelungen über die Bundes- und Landesverwaltung sowie die Finanzgerichtsbarkeit nach Artikel 108 des Grundgesetzes by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Die Leistungsbezahlung nach § 18 TVöD by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Der Einfluss unbeobachteter Einflussfaktoren by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Die Staatliche Europaschule Berlin als Beispiel für den Umgang mit und Erziehung zu Mehrsprachigkeit by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Medical Wellness by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Das Mitarbeitergespräch. Ein zielorientiertes Führungsinstrument by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Die Verwaltung der Germanischen Provinzen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Beneficiarier by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Die Haltung des Forschers in der qualitativen Interviewforschung by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Übergewicht und Adipositas. Die Rolle von Bewegung und Sport als Präventivarbeit bei Kindern und Jugendlichen by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Der Anspruch der Menge auf Teilhabe an der Herrschaft by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Waren als Geschenk verpacken (Unterweisung Kauffrau / Kaufmann im Einzelhandel) by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book In der Spannung von Professionalität und Erbarmen in Krankenhäusern und anderen Pflegeinstitutionen by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Der Film Metropolis im Kontext des gesellschaftlichen Lebens in der Weimarer Republik by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Ovids Metamorphosen 10, 1-77: Orpheus und Eurydike by Sirinya Pakditawan
Cover of the book Zeitarbeit als Perspektive für Langzeitarbeitslose? by Sirinya Pakditawan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy