What Biblical parallels can be drawn from chapter 16 of The Grapes of Wrath?

Answer 1

The biblical parallel exhibited in chapter 17 of the story is the Deuteronomy of the novel. Steinbeck establishes an analogy between the Israelites receiving the new Law in their exodus and the migrants establishing their own laws, "The families learned what rights must be observed -- the right of privacy in the tent; the right to keep the past black hidden in the heart; the right to talk and to listen; the right to refuse help or to accept, to offer help or to decline it; the right of son to court and daughter to be courted; the right of the hungry to be fed; the rights of the pregnant and the sick to transcend all other rights." They also establish what they cannot do, "And the families learned, although on one told them, what rights are monstrous and must be destroyed: the right to intrude upon privacy, the right to be noisy while the camp slept, the right of seduction or rape, the right of adultery and theft and murder."

Answer 2

Chapter 16 of The Grapes of Wrath can be likened to the biblical story of the Israelites' journey through the desert in search of the Promised Land. Both narratives depict themes of suffering, endurance, and hope in the face of adversity. The Joad family's struggles and perseverance reflect the Israelites' journey towards a better future despite facing numerous challenges along the way.

Answer 3

I read this a long time ago, but cannot recall any character in Grapes of Wrath called Jeremiah, who was one of the major Prophets of the Old Testament. the minister character was called Jim Casey. ( nice choice of initials) The daughter Rose of Sharon, is a title taken directly from The Bible, however. This forms the basis of the Donna Douglas character in Beverly Hillbillies, which is essentially a comedy version of the same basic story with much cosmetic surgery.