When I decided to write my masters about John Steinbeck, I only knew some of his works. I had read "Tortilla Flat" - which is still one of my favourite books, of course I knew "East of Eden " and "Of Mice and Men" and "The Pearl".
Then I started to read his not so well known novels and I wondered about his contradictory writing style and choice of topics. " He is a crank, a storyteller, a critic, an anti - critic, an "American", an internationalist, a sage, a prophet." Reloy Garcia, professor of English Creighton University, states.2
In this study I will try to pursue and comment on the different aspects of Steinbeck′s works. Although I read nearly all his books, I chose Cup of Gold, Pastures of Heaven, To a God Unknown, Tortilla Flat and In Dubious Battle to concentrate on. Each of them seems to me representative for a certain genre and they do not belong to his best-known ones - except Tortilla Flat.
Steinbeck did not like book critics, which is hardly surprising, because each book published in his lifetime was attacked by prestigious reviewers, but even the books considered the weakest received plaudits from important reviewers. There was never a consensus on a Steinbeck text.3
I do not want to judge Steinbeck′s different works. I want to deal with his background and I will try to understand his intentions.
[...]
Table of Contents
Foreword
I. Steinbeck on writing
I.1. Steinbeck's rudimentary suggestions for the beginner
I.2. The Art and Craft of Writing
I.3.Steinbeck`s 1962 Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech
II. Life and works
II.1. Origin
II.2. Family
II.3. Graduation
II.4. Taking a risk
II.4.1.“Cup of Gold”, A Life of Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, 1929
-“ The first one “
II. 4.1.1. The plot
II.4.1.2. Interpretation
II.4.1.3. Critics
II.5. The marriage
II. 5. 1. The Pastures of Heaven, 1932
-“ Collection of short stories “
II.5.1.1 The plot
II.5.2.2.Interpretation
II.5.2.3.Critics
II.5.2. “To a God Unknown”,1933 - The strangest one
II.5.2.1.The plot
II.5.2.2. Interpretation
II.5.2.3.Critics
II.6. Success
II.6.1. “Tortilla Flat”-“ the funny ones “
II.6.1.1 The plot
II.6.2.2. Interpretation
II.6.1.3.Critics
II.7. Steinbeck and the Working Men
II.7.1 “ In Dubious Battle, 1936 -“the political ones”
II.7.1.1.The plot
II.7.1.2.Interpretation
II.7.1.3.Critics
II.7.2. “….and make it angrily”
II.7.2.1 “The Harvest Gypsies”
II.7.2.2. “ I’m mad about that”
II.7.2.3. “..a dirty, lying, filthy manuscript”
II.7.8 The later years
III. Conclusion
III.1. Symbolism
III.2.Non – teleological thinking
III.3. The Common Man
III.4. Determinism
III.4. Political Statement
PRACTICAL WORK IN CLASS
I. The concept
II. Motivation and pleasure
III. Extensive and intensive reading
IV. Concept
IV.1. Pre – reading
IV.1.1. What happens?
IV.1.2. A picture equals a thousand words
IV.2. While reading
IV.2.1.Get it wrong
IV.2.2. Ordering puzzle
Objectives and Topics
This work aims to examine the life and literary career of John Steinbeck, focusing specifically on his lesser-known novels and his evolving philosophy as a writer. The study explores how Steinbeck's personal history, familial background, and social engagements influenced his storytelling and his commitment to the struggles of common people.
- The biographical foundations of Steinbeck's early career and his development as a novelist.
- An analysis of thematic elements and critical reception of his works such as Cup of Gold, Tortilla Flat, and In Dubious Battle.
- The intersection of personal experience, political activism, and the "non-teleological" thinking found in his fiction.
- Practical classroom applications for teaching Steinbeck's work, emphasizing reader engagement and literary analysis.
Excerpt from the Book
II.4.1.“Cup of Gold”, A Life of Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, 1929
“Cup of Gold , A Life of Henry Morgan, Buccaneer, with Occasional References to History”, dates back to the 17th century. Morgan leaves Wales at the age of 15, and gets captured as a slave in Barbados. Then his master takes an interest in the boy, teaches him English and history and gives him access to a large library, where the future buccaneer studies war. Young Henry determines to become a pirate. By the way of assuring his future he becomes manager of his master’s plantation and steals enough money to set himself up in the pirate business. Due to his knowledge of sea warfare and his ability to handle men, Henry Morgan soon becomes the most successful pirate. The sack of Panama, the Spanish city known as the “Cup of Gold” the high point in Morgan’s career. There is a mysterious woman suspected to live in Panama, her name is the Red Saint, and she is known the world over for her charm. Morgan fails to find the Red Saint first. She hears he is searching for her and comes to his headquarters. He offers her marriage and she scorns him. Morgan tries force, but the Red Saint is not interested. She repulses his advances by stabbing a small pin in his face. A woman has defeated the world’s greatest pirate.
Summary of Chapters
I. Steinbeck on writing: Discusses Steinbeck's advice to beginners, his views on the craft of writing, and his 1962 Nobel Prize acceptance speech.
II. Life and works: Provides a detailed biographical overview of Steinbeck’s origins, family background, and his journey through various writing periods.
III. Conclusion: Analyzes recurring motifs in Steinbeck’s work, such as symbolism, common humanity, determinism, and his political philosophy.
PRACTICAL WORK IN CLASS: Explains pedagogical approaches for teaching Steinbeck’s stories, focusing on student motivation and specific classroom activities.
Keywords
John Steinbeck, literary analysis, California, non-teleological thinking, migrant labor, social criticism, In Dubious Battle, Tortilla Flat, The Grapes of Wrath, biography, teaching literature, pedagogy, symbolist fiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
This work explores the life and artistic trajectory of John Steinbeck, examining his transition from an aspiring writer to a Nobel Prize laureate while analyzing how his personal history and philosophy shaped his famous and lesser-known works.
Which thematic fields does the study cover?
The study covers themes including the author's social consciousness, his relationship with the "common man," the influence of his Californian roots, his political involvement during the 1930s, and the symbolic nature of his narrative style.
What is the research goal of this document?
The goal is to understand Steinbeck’s intentions as a writer and to explore how his unique philosophy—often described as "non-teleological" or "is-thinking"—is embedded within his novels and short stories.
What scientific methods were employed in the study?
The work utilizes a biographical and literary analysis approach, drawing upon contemporary reviews, personal letters, and existing academic studies to interpret Steinbeck's evolving creative process.
What content does the main section provide?
The main section offers a detailed breakdown of Steinbeck’s career, analyzing his early apprenticeship period, his success with Tortilla Flat, his political engagement through In Dubious Battle, and the later years of his life and literary output.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include John Steinbeck, literary analysis, Californian fiction, social reform, non-teleological thinking, and educational methodology.
How does the author characterize the relationship between the "group animal" and the individual in In Dubious Battle?
The author highlights the conflict between individual agency and the unpredictable power of group instincts, suggesting that the strike in In Dubious Battle creates a "group animal" that is both powerful and potentially destructive.
Why does the author advocate for teaching Steinbeck through simplified versions of his texts?
The author argues that authentic texts may be inaccessible to foreign language students, so using simplified "Graded Readers" acts as a necessary bridge to build confidence and allow students to explore character development without fear of failure.
- Citation du texte
- Dagmar Schulz (Auteur), 2000, John Steinbeck - In Dubious Reputation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/7422
