The Grapes Of Wrath—A Modern American Version Of Exodus

The Grapes of Wrath tells the story of a large number of peasants going bankrupt and fleeing westward during the economic panic,which is a vivid picture of social struggles in the 1930 s America.The novel is full of blood and tears of American peasants.The work won the 1940 American Pulitzer Prize for Literature.It can be said that Steinbeck used this work to do a portrait for such an important period of social development in the United States in the 20 th Century from his own perspectives.The thesis begins with introducing John Steinbeck and this novel as well as the research fruits of it at home and abroad.The following analysis is conducted from two different angles: Technical Similarities and thematic affinity between The Grapes of Wrath and Exodus.The technical similarities are achieved from four concrete elements,namely,characters,biblical images,biblical embodiment in both plot and writing style.The thematic affinity is analyzed from the spiritual pursuit and realistic significance of both works.The significance of the thesis is that it is a relatively thorough research on the similarities between The Grapes of Wrath and Exodus.Currently,domestic researches related to this field is awaiting further studies,so it is believed that this thesis will,to some degree,help to carry on more effective studies in this regard.