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John Steinbeck's Work

Decent Essays

John Steinbeck, American author of many novels and novellas, was born on February 27, 1902. His work often showcased western culture and literature and pushed themes like the human condition, living off the land and friendship. Growing up in Salinas, California, a lot of Steinbeck's work is set in Southern California, where he is most familiar. As a child he worked on his grandparents farm, getting up close and personal with the problems of the working man at a very young age. He dropped out of college and worked as a manual laborer before his career as a writer began. Most of his works explore the lives of the common working class, and their struggles. Steinbeck wrote many hugely moving pieces that people today, regard as American classics. “Steinbeck had a rare ability to fictionalize real situations”(migration.ucdavis.edu) and he shows this in many of his books. Some of his more famous works are the Grapes of Wrath, Tortilla Flat and Of Mice …show more content…

The need for work was at an all time high and ranches were advertised as a “poor man's’ heaven”(Prezi). 1.3 million people migrated to California and took up work wherever and whenever they could. Working until they were weak, old and useless was common for these people. People were replaceable and if they couldn't perform, their bosses could find someone else who could do the same job better, faster and for less money “these men were disposable and easily replicable” (Aslan gradesaver.com). Many workers would get struck in a cycle of getting payed, spending that money on drinks or women, then working again to get more money to waste again. In Steinbeck's work Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie planned on saving up and getting a farm, but the average man would get stuck in this brutal cycle, eliminated any man's chances to save their money and get out of their

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