Biblical References in The Grapes of Wrath The plot of John Steinbeck's novel, The Grapes of Wrath, can be easily linked to many biblical references as well as could be applied to the daily struggles of Christian life. Two particular parts of this novel stand out more than any other. These are the characters of Jim Casey and Pa Joad. Many say that the character of Jim Casey could be symbolically linked to the biblical hero Moses. In the biblical book of Exodus, Moses led thousands of people (God's family, the Israelites) out of severe slavery and harsh treatment in Egypt. From there he led them to the promised land of Canon, flowing with milk and honey. The same thing happens when you watch The Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck may perhaps be trying to infer that the Joad family are the troubled Israelites. Casey acts as a leader who guides the Joads out of famine and hard times during the 1930s to Oklahoma and California, where they can start a new life with hope and a future. This book can also be a symbol of daily walks in Christianity. For example, when Pa Joad needs help and seeks guidance, it is Jim Casey he turns to. Those who follow Christ call upon God in desperate times. Steinbeck deduces that Casey, who appears to be a preacher, is somehow a Christ figure to the Joad family. He even throws out a hidden clue in his name. Jim Casey's initials are the same as Jesus Christ's. Steinbeck implies that Pa Joad is symbolically a typical Christian struggling in a world of sin. Famine and the horrible conditions of the Great Depression represent the sin surrounding this struggling Christian. So, as a last resort, this child of God turns to Jesus Christ for salvation and deliverance from the sin in his life. These two characters show both the giving and receiving sides of God's love for his children.