The Influence Of The Bible On The Winter Of Our Discontent

John Steinbeck was one of the most prominent American writers of the twentieth century. The Winter of Our Discontent, as his last long novel, has aroused much controversy since its publication. Most of the research into this novel, both at home and abroad, has focus on ethical studies, comparative studies, the work’s artistic techniques and so on. However, there have been few critics who have examined this novel in a biblical context and explored the influence of the Bible on it. This thesis sets out to analyze the characters, narrative structure, theme, and imagery in the novel, delving into the pervasive influence of the Bible throughout this novel.The first part of this thesis is an introduction to John Steinbeck and his novel The Winter of Our Discontent. The studies about the novel are also summarized in this part. In addition, this part illustrates the fact that Steinbeck’s creation was greatly influenced by the Bible. Chapter One focuses on characters Ethan, Margie and Joey in the novel who can be regarded as the incarnations of Cain, Satan and Eve respectively. Chapter Two explores the protagonist Ethan’s initial state of integrity, degeneration, suffering and final redemption, which paralleling the narrative structure of the Bible, and the theme of loneliness, as one of the most common themes of the Bible, which Steinbeck incorporates into the characterization and development of Ethan. Ethan’s loneliness results from his inability to adapt to the world of New Baytown and his longing for the past, his lack of familial love and understanding, and his sense of guilt and the torment of conscience. In addition to Ethan, other characters in the novel are also vulnerable to loneliness. The parallels with the loneliness of characters in the Bible who struggle with similar fates are discussed in depth. Chapter Three studies biblical imagery like water and light, and symbols like the gray cat and the red spots that occur repeatedly in the novel, which greatly contribute to the understanding of Ethan’s spiritual regeneration and illumination, and play a great deal part on illustrating the process of Ethan’s transformation.By analyzing parallel characters, themes, narrative structure, and imagery between The Winter of Our Discontent and the Bible, the author affirms that many elements of the Bible are present in this novel and exert a persistent influence on the creation of this novel. The adoption of those biblical features not only contributes to conveying Steinbeck’s deep and complicated meanings underlying the text but also meets the demand of reading and appreciation. Through the creation of the novel, Steinbeck expresses his strong concern for the contemporary society’s moral problems. But what he conveys to us is not extremely bleak. Steinbeck still firmly keeps faith in humanity.