The Book of Job - Letter I - Chapters 1-10 *

The Grapes of Wrath draws several parallels between the biblical character of Job and the Joad family to show the value of believing in one's own spirit. In the bible, Job is a respectable believer in God who exemplifies the seven heavenly virtues. In response to a challenge by Satan, God allows Job to undergo several trials to assure him of his loyalty to God. Like the Joads, Job loses nearly everything that he finds valuable. However, He retains his faith and continues to believe that God will do what is right. The Joads have a similar experience, but what's significant about their plight is that their faith is found less in God and more in the human spirit, the existential idea of the Oversoul. Casy Jones, who is in fact the family's religious guidance, tells them as much. Jones says to Tom upon meeting him, "maybe it's all men an' all women we love; maybe that's the Holy Sperit" (24).  The man that guides the Joads in matters of spirituality renounces the biblical concept of God, saying that in the long run, what's more important is the recognition of the Human spirit as a driving force behind kindness and compassion. Casy is a preacher, but his God is humanity. In the bible, Job is tested to see if he will keep his faith in God even when he does terrible things to him. In the Grapes of Wrath, the Joad family is tested to see if they will keep their faith in their fellow man despite greed and selfishness.