I found an article that links characters from the novel to characters from the Bible. Rose of Sharon is from the Bible, but this article uses all the characters. For those who check it out, do you think the characters are really linked?
http://taliawaite.wordpress.com/2012/11/29/did-you-know-a-look-at-biblical-allusions/
I read the article and I was surprised at how many characters and events from the book can be compared to the Bible. I honestly think that the characters are linked because they match up perfectly with things from the Bible like Jim Casy as Jesus Christ, Noah from Noah's Ark, and Rose of Sharon to a flower and maternal love. I think that the two characters that Steinbeck truly made noticeable from the rest of the characters were Jim Casy and Rose of Sharon. From the start to finish of the book, Jim's ways and ideas could closely be compared to Jesus' actions and knowledge as well. Also, when I read the last chapter, at the end, Rose of Sharon with the dying old man reminded me of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus in her lap. Overall, I think this comparison to the Bible was done on purpose by Steinbeck to give a sort of biblical sense to the story. Good point.
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