For this literary analysis assignment, I read Duane R. Carr’s “Steinbeck’s Blakean Vision in The Grapes of Wrath.” In the essay, Carr proposes that Steinbeck was a Romantic, whose inspiration by the poet William Blake greatly shaped several themes of The Grapes of Wrath.
One of the most prominent themes in Blake’s poetry was the transformation from innocence to experience to a higher innocence. In his collection of poetry entitled Songs of Innocence, he shows childhood innocence end as the individuals are exposed to the evils of the world. However, Blake believed the fall from innocence to experience was necessary, as “it leads man not only to an awareness of these negative human attributes, but also to self-knowledge of his own divinity,” (Carr 266). Only then can one participate in universal love- “the higher innocence.” This process is clearly demonstrated in the Joads’ struggle. Oklahoma is shown as the land of innocence, where the majority of characters are shown as child-like in their stubbornness and naivety. However, this innocence is quickly lost as they travel across the country and exposed to cruelty of humanity. Yet the experience they gain fades in the closing scene, when Rose of Sharon is able to demonstrate the higher state of innocence as she nurses a dying man.
Reverend Jim Casy also conveys a number of Blakean beliefs as his character transforms throughout the novel. At Grampa’s funeral, Casy states “All that lives in holy,” (Pg 144) which is inspired by “Everything that lives is holy”- a line from Blake’s The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. Not only does this convey Blake’s concentration on life rather than death, it shows the common bond of humanity. In addition, both Steinbeck and Blake concentrated on love. On pg 32, Steinbeck writes, “Maybe it’s all men an’ all women we love; maybe that’s the Holy Sperit.” This is extremely similar to a line from Blake’s Divine Image that reads, “And all must love the human form/ In heathen, turk or jew/ Where Mercy, Love & Pity dwell/ There is God dwelling too.” This is furthermore shown by the theme of unification. Blake often wrote about the unifying power of Jesus Christ, while Casy believes that all men share “one big soul.” This belief is also shown in the final scene, as Rose of Sharon is attempting to save a complete stranger.
I would say there was some bias in Carr’s essay, as he only demonstrated one side of the topic. However, his work was well-developed and contained a great deal of textual support. Although I have not read much of Blake’s work, after reading this essay I strongly believe that Steinbeck was inspired by Blake. The similarities are just too great to be otherwise. I truly enjoyed reading this essay and was extremely interested by a state of higher innocence, as well as the idea of the interdependence of all life.
