Symbolism Journal - The Symbolism within the bad grapes

The Grapes of Wrath is full of symbolism. A lot of these symbols can be connected to religion. I will concentrate on these images taken mostly from the Bible for this blog.

The first religious symbol I will talk about is Moses. No, Moses was not in the book, but Rose of Sharon's dead baby symbolizes Moses when he was just a small child. In the Bible, Moses was sent down the Nile. He later went on to free his people from suffering. Rose of Sharon's dead baby is sent down the flooded stream and in a sense has the same burden placed on his shoulders. This is confirmed when Uncle John tells him to go and get them.

The second religious symbol is the one we see at the end of the book when Rose of Sharon is nursing the malnourished man. When she does this, Rose of Sharon becomes a figure of motherly love. Her child, much like Mary, is in control of a higher deed. He is to free his people from suffering. Rose of Sharon made the sacrifice of sacrificing her maternal item to this man that needed it. She becomes a sign of comfort and the end of suffering.