Biblical Allusions
Biblical Allusion [bib-li-kuh l uh-loo-zhuh n ]:
a reference within a literary work to a story, idea, or
event that is related in the Bible or other biblical
writings.
Dalmo Mendonca
Don’t take candy from strangers
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I’m Dalmo. Say “Hi Dalmo!”
Jenks Class of 2009 (Go Jenks, destroy the Union)
Biochemistry student at TU (PoliSci Minor)
Interests include…
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Neurobiology of aging
• Aging is a disease!?
American Literature
• Looking at history from the perspective of US authors
• Where’s American Lit today? What’s in the future?
Ke$ha
• My guilty pleasure
Economics, Religion, and Politics
• But let’s not talk about that right now.
Introduction
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Fact: The Grapes of Wrath is boring.
– 600 pages of Okies on a journey across the country is not
very exciting.
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There has got to be more to literature than just plot.
– Steinbeck might have messed up on the story, but that’s not
why the book is famous.
– In fiction, the author speaks to you without spelling the
words out. The storyline is just a tool (bad tool here).
– To convey a theme, Steinbeck basically assigns a value to
each character, event, and even some objects. Then he
plays around with them to show you what life (human
condition) should be like.
– In this book, assigning values comes, in great part, with
biblical allusions.
– That’s the fun part!
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Bottom Line: If you get out of Pre-AP 10 hating Grapes,
then you just didn’t get it!
Why Allusions?
Why Biblical Allusions?
• There are infinite types of allusions.
• Steinbeck chooses the Bible as frame of reference
for a reason.
• Bible has complex and developed doctrines
attached to references.
• Look out for themes that comment on the
importance of Christianity.
• Steinbeck drew part of his work from the American
Transcendentalist literary movement (like Nathaniel
Hawthorne 104 years before him).
• Even personally, John Steinbeck was a Bible
scholar since he had to know the Bible well in order
to criticize established religion.
Get the Gist of Allusions
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Learn to recognize them.
– Capitalized words that are not familiar.
– Long descriptions of something that seemingly doesn’t fit in
the plot.
– Similes and metaphors to unconventional items.
– Notice extended/recurrent comparisons, descriptions, and
references.
– Look for author’s intentions/choices (why grapes and not
strawberries?).
– Recognize parallels and shifts in attitude.
– Understand the hidden meanings of names.
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Learn to interpret them.
– Be familiar with historic and literary contexts.
– Ask people who are more comfortable with a certain
culture. Brainstorm possible links.
– Don’t be afraid to research (think Google and Wikipedia if
needed).
– Understand how allusions relate and connect to the rest of
the plot.
Biblical Allusions in Names
• Biblical names (Saul, Jezebel, Ruth) are
pretty obvious.
– Ruthie, Noah, Rosasharn (Rose-of-Sharon)
– Research the basics about these characters
• Also subtle references
– Jim Casey = JC = Jesus Christ
– Joad sounds like Job
• Be careful not to read too much into it.
– Support everything with evidence.
Practice
“That day was not the year of jubilee for me. I
crawled out of the debris, the smell of burning
gasoline all around me. Abednego would be proud
I made it out of the wreck alive. I could see, through
the shattered windows, that Jezebel was purple:
scarlet blood upon cold bruised skin. My little Lilyof-the-Valley was dead, lying on the front seat, and
my two precious gems crushed by the deformed
side door, Amanda’s head resting on Abraham’s
chest. A surreal little voice, something like
Balaam’s ass, began to whisper in my ear, telling
me to go with my family, to take my life at once. I
pondered, and told it to get behind me. I am Paul
Adamson. Life happens. Life goes on.”
Values and What They Mean in
Modern Culture
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Year of jubilee: term used to denote any period of extreme
happiness; origin from the harvest year in ancient Israel. In
modern context, ecstasy.
Abednego: one of three men who survived a fire because of
their faith.
Jezebel: promiscuous queen who practiced pagan sexual
rituals with multiple servants. In modern context, Madonna.
Lilly-of-the-Valley: terminology for young women, usually
referring to one’s wife. In modern context, honey.
Abraham’s bosom: place where the dead go to rest before
Judgement day.
Balaam’s ass: ass who argued with Balaam when he tried to
whip her. In modern context, Shrek’s donkey.
Get behind me: phrase said by Jesus to Satan when tempted.
In modern context, talk to the hand.
Paul: Evil murderer who was given a second chance and
eventually wrote most of the New Testament. In modern
context, Britney Spears.
Adamson: son of Adam, the first man. We are all sons of
Adam. In modern context, Smith.
Purpose of Biblical Allusions
• The truck driver comes and he’s eating spam.
• “Men ate what they had not raised, had no
connection with the bread” (36).
– At first, it might look like a random detail.
– Actually an allusion.
• “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till
thou return unto the ground” Gen. 3:19a
• In a single sentence, Steinbeck makes a huge
comment on technology.
– Naturally, people are supposed to work for what they
consume.
– The truck driver, as others who rely on technology, is
disobeying God.
Construct Commentary
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“I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people
there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine
anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall
be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my
raiment.” Is. 63:3
“And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and
gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great
winepress of the wrath of God.” Rev. 14:19
“And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he
should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a
rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Rev. 19:15
“Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the
Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of
wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of
His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on.” Battle
Hymn of the Republic (a biblical writing)
Construct Commentary
In the Bible, the “Grapes of Wrath”
symbolize the bitterness and evil of
mankind, which causes the Lord to be
angry.
• What/Who are the “grapes of wrath” in this
novel?
• What should the Joads do about the
“grapes” they find in California?
• According to the Bible, what will happen to
the “grapes” of the dust bowl?
Recognize Bible Passages
Recognize Bible Passages
Recognize Bible Passages
Questions?
If we have time, some wisdom
• Take AP Lang…
– Only if you’re dedicated to improve
• It makes men out of boys (and out of girls)
– You’ll have way more fun doing it in high school
than doing it in college (that just sounds wrong)
– By the way, Lit is way better than Lang
• College is awesome. You should go.
• Yes, we use turnitin.com in college.
• You only go through high school once;
make it count!