Grapes Of Wrath Title Analysis

Overall, the main complaint many have with John Steinbeck in regards to his writing it the choice of the title The Grapes Of Wrath for his most well-known novel. The choice of the title may seem illogical and unnecessary, but if one were to analyze his reasoning and the meaning of the title one can come to the conclusion that there was no choice that could top what he ultimately decided on. The analyzation of these two in combination with each other leads to a new understanding of Steinbeck’s choice; the process of this is started with learning the literal, historical reasoning behind the title, followed by inspecting the deeper meaning in regards to hopes and prosperity, and finally by analyzing the ties of cruelty and selfishness by some

On the surface, The Grapes Of Wrath title serves as a basic historical allusion, serving no other purpose than for being a reference to two well-known pieces of culture. The first of which being the more obvious of the two; a reference to the "The Battle Hymn of The Republic" by Julia Ward Howe. This song is the most famous Union fight song to exist during the American Civil War; it was known and loved by many so John Steinbeck choose it as a well thought out reference to a line of the song that states, “He is trampling out the vintage Where the grapes of wrath are stored”. Choosing such a famous line that many knew served as a boost to the familiarity of the novel and the willingness of those to read it, but to fully understand this aspect one must analyze where this line in the song

These two themes not only have a relation to the tile of the novel, but also a relation in the novel itself as seen by Grampa’s dream of what he will do when he gets to California, at one point he says, “I’m gonna pick me a wash tub full a grapes an’ I’m gonna set in ‘em, an’ scrooge aroun’ an’ let the juice run down my pants.” (Steinbeck 126). This shows how the goal of reaching California is worth the effort due to the prosperity it will provided the family while also capturing the essence of the title at the same time. The theme of prosperity and hope revealed here is also backed up by “The Battle Hymn Of the Republic” which states, “Before His judgment-seat Oh, be swift, my soul To answer him be jubilant, my feet Our God is marching on”. This shows how the soldiers in the camps have a goal and by being willing to go into battle they will be rewarded with prosperity, once again connecting to the title. But it doesn’t stop there, there is also an allusion to the bible when it states under Jeremiah 31:29-30, “In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge”. Thus, revealing once again the same overlying themes backing up the connection to the