Justice In John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

John Steinbeck’s, The Grapes of Wrath, is a glimpse of the reality behind Americas historical Great Depression, though it’s intent is much deeper than that. Steinbeck reinforces the idea of family unity and fighting together with the Joads and their journey. The deeper message that Steinbeck wanted to make with the Joad family is unclear and their future beyond the last chapter is also left to the assumption of the reader. However, chapter thirty reveals a great deal of information when looked at closely. “‘Go down an’ tell ‘em. Go down in the street an’ rot an’ tell ‘em that way,” Uncle John proclaims as he lets Rose of Sharon’s still born baby loose down the river when he was supposed to be burying it. Why did Uncle John not listen to the instructions given to him and why would Steinbeck use a tragedy to suggest justice being served? Steinbeck uses a heavy amount of religious allusions and with simple connections, a lot can be explained. Rose of Sharon in the novel is an interesting character. She remains the families innocent and hopeful hand while managing to irritate the reader with her optimistic attitude. She is placed in an odd position amongst the other characters therefore creating a subject of …show more content…
Biblical Noah built an arc in order to protect he and his family from the earth’s first flood. Similarly, there is a flood in The Grapes of Wrath. At the end of the novel, the Joad's run into yet another set back, a major flood. Beginning in chapter 29, the flood destroys where they had found refuge, therefore they had to move again. The flood is taking place while Rose of Sharon goes into labor, meanwhile their truck is ruined. By this point, Noah Joad has already parted ways with his family and no longer plays a role in their journey to success. In other words, Steinbeck does not match The Bible perfectly with his parallels and allusions but he does make strong references to them and for a specific