Symbolism in The Grapes of WrathJohn Steinbeck is an author known throughout the world for his captivating stories and novels. One such novel is The Grapes of Wrath. This novel was written to denounce the plight of people dispossessed of their land by the Great Depression. Steinbeck uses several literary elements to help tell the story to the reader. In The Grapes of Wrath, as in his other works, Steinbeck relies on the use of symbolism to strengthen and enhance the plot. By far the most complex example of symbolism is found in the character of preacher Jim Casy. Casy is not only a Christ figure, but also embodies the belief of transcendentalism. These are supported by numerous examples throughout history. Some of these examples are easy to notice, others require more thought to understand. The symbolism found in Jim Casy does much to bring together the events that make up the story. That Casy is a Christ figure can be demonstrated in several ways. An obvious (or perhaps not as obvious as it might seem) similarity between Casy and Christ is that they share the same initials, JC. It is no mere coincidence that Steinbeck chose the name Jim Casy. However, initials aren't the only thing Casy and Christ share. Another similarity is that both men went into the desert before returning to public life. Christ went into the desert for a forty day period of intense prayer with the Father before entering into His public life of preaching. Casy follows a slightly different model, but overall similar. Casy tells the reader that he had been a preacher, but was no longer sure what saint really meant. He spent four years away from society, and after spending some time with the Joad family, has a...... middle of paper...... John J. "Steinbeck and the nature self: the grapes of wrath." John Steinbeck, Modern Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. 125-140. French, Warren. John Steinbeck. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1975. Levant, Howard. “Art Fully Ripened: The Grapes of Wrath.” John Steinbeck, Modern Critical Views. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1987. 35-62. Lojek, Helen. “Jim Casy: Politico of the New Jerusalem.” Steinbeck Quarterly, Winter-Spring 1982. 30-37. Steinbeck, John. The Grapes of Wrath. New York: Penguin Books, 1978. Wallsten, Robert and Steinbeck, Elaine. Steinbeck: A Life in Letters. New York: The Viking Press, 1975. The New American Bible, Gospel of John. 11:34 p.m. New York: The Catholic Press, 1976. Goetz, Philip (editor). British Encyclopedia. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 1987. Vol.. 11, 894.