Biblical Allusions

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 • I’m Dalmo. Say “Hi Dalmo!” • Jenks Class of 2009 (Go Jenks, destroy the Union) • Biochemistry student at TU (PoliSci Minor) • Interests include… • 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 • Fact: The Grapes of Wrath is boring. • 600 pages of Okies on a journey across the country is not very exciting. • 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! • 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 • 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. • 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 Lily-of-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 • 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 • “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

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!

Biblical Allusions