John Steinbeck uses many allusions in his book The Grapes of Wrath. Throughout the work, there is an allusion involving the character Rose of Sharon. Her name comes from the Song of Solomon or the Song of Songs. Throughout this website, we will be exploring how Steinbeck incorporates this biblical piece into the novel.

The Song of Solomon is a poetic representation expressing God's love for his people.  "O that you would kiss me with the kisses of your mouth! For your love is better than wine" (lines 2-4). This song is the only time when Rose of Sharon is ever mentioned in the bible. She is portrayed to be nurturing and the symbolic mother of humanity. Sharon is the Mediterranean coastal plain between Joppa and Caesarea and during the time of Solomon was a place of great fertility.