John Steinbeck Common Themes

Born in 1902 in Salinas, California, Nobel Prize winner, stern Steinbeck, was superstar of the most important writers in America during the 20th century. In his novels, East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, Cannery Row, and In suspicious Battle, Steinbeck explores what it takes for a psyche to find true rapture in life. Steinbeck addresses the pursuit for happiness in unmatcheds lifethe American daydream, by questioning modern idea of it being reach outd finished secular items and the path mass take to achieve it.Steinbeck likewise addresses the happiness people find in relationships and how connecting to some whiz can affect a persons decisions in life. To communicate his ideas with the reader, Steinbeck stimulates the storyline of his novels, connecting his themes with his characters. In his novels, fundament Steinbeck addresses the themes of the American moon and the sizeableness of relationships by various characters in the stories. In his masterpiece, East of Eden, John Steinbecks theme of the American Dream focuses on a persons desire to mould a better life for his or her children.Adam Trask greatly portrays this theme when he tries to cash in ones chips an refrigerator business Adam was a suck in. These know-it- any dreamers ever so got into troublePeople who inherited their funds al steerings got into trouble. And if you wanted any proofjust look at how Adam had run his ranch. A fool and his m unrivalledy were soon departed (East of Eden, p. 438). In the novel, it becomes clear that Adam, among many Americans, believes wellly in the idea that money buys happiness. Adams yearning to gain money in his name constitutes his plan to leave a large inheritance for Aaron and Cal, as his father had maturate ine for him and his brother.Ultimately, though, Adams business proves a failure, making him one of the many who nominate f wholeen to the lure of the American Dream. Further much, the brothel owner, Faye, in addition commences the de sire to create a better life for her child. She displays this theme through with(predicate) her adoption of Cathy I induce to pretend the money. No, you dont. Of course I do. Where else could I get it? You could be my daughter But I have to have money. Theres plenty for both of us, Cathy. I could give you as much as you call and more(prenominal) (East of Eden, p. 229).Fayes lack of close fri end ups creates a weakness in her, which Cathy uses to manipulate Faye into seeing her as a daughter figure. As displayed in the address, Fayes newfound motherly sense sparks a get to provide for Cathy. To Fayes knowledge, Cathy has lived a depressing life and Faye, being sympathetic to Cathys cause, wants to create a better life for her. Eventually, Cathys manipulation of Faye works and she receives Fayes inheritance, fulf badlying her own American Dream. The importance of relationships in East of Eden also proves to be a theme Steinbeck shoots through his characters.Adams brother, Charles, displays the set up relationships can have on somebody when he confronts Adam about their Fathers birthday presents What did you do on his birthday? Did you spend six bits or even four bits? You brought him a illegitimate child pupThat dog sleeps in his room. He plays with it while hes reading. Hes got it all trained. And wheres the knife? Thanks, he said, just Thanks. (East of Eden, p. 30). In this quotation, Charles demonstrates the absence of a relationship mingled with him and his father.Although it becomes perspicuous in the novel that Charles father does hunch forward him, he chooses non to display it, forming the idea in Charles judgment that no one loves him. Because of his feelings, Charles becomes jealous of Adam, whom their father openly displays affection towards. This draws in Charles an upmost hatred of his own brother, which Charles uses to harm Adam The footsteps came close, slowed, moved on a little, came back. From his hiding place Adam could see only a darkness in the darkCharles raised the match and peered around, and Adam could see the hatchet in his right hand (East of Eden, p. 1). In this quotation, Charles tries to kill his own brother. As a conf utilise youth, Charles sees killing his brother, whom gets all the affection from their father, as a way to justify the neglect he receives from his father. Charles provides a perfect mannikin of the importance a relationship has, and how not having one can bring out the darkest part of ones personality. Whereas he used East of Eden to focus on the American Dream of ones desire to make a better life for his or her children, Steinbeck uses Of mice and Men to focus on the unachievable aspect of the American Dream.In the novelette, George and Lennie convey this theme through their reassurance that they volition not have to tend to someone elses ranch and exit soon have there own O. K. somedaywere gonna get the jack together and were gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an a cow and some pigs and An live off the fatta the lan, (Of Mice and Men, p. 13). Throughout the novella George repeats this line more often and it even acts as one of the few things Lennie remembers. It appears the more times they ensure themselves of this dream, the more it shifts from reality to fantasy.This dream also catches the imagination of other characters in the novel, one being Crooks. Crooks, who course does not believe in the luxury of dreaming, becomes transformed by Lennies thinking If youguys would want a hand to work for nothingjust his keep, why Id come an lend a hand (Of Mice and Men, p. 73). This quotation suggests any American succumbs to the idea of the American dream. This quotation also suggests the characters that have dreams of a brighter future, like Candy, George, and Lennie, would have nothing without them.Ultimately, through multiple types in the novel, Steinbeck suggests the American dream acts more of as a motivator rather than a reality. W hile Steinbeck uses George and Lennie to convey the unachievable American Dream, he also uses them to convey the importance of relationships. Friendship plays a major role in the story development, greatly bear upon the actions of George and Lennie. George demonstrates this themes effect on him when he talks to Lennie about fathering together where the quarryhole could you go? Howd you eat. You aint got sense enough to find nothing to eat. Id find things, George. I dont need no nice food with ketchup. George looked quickly and searchingly at him. I been mean, aint I? (Of Mice and Men, p. 11-12). At first, it seems George regretfully carries the burden of taking deal of Lennie, just, when studied further, George sees Lennie more of as a friend instead of a burden. In this quotation, George displays his knowledge when he acknowledges his harshness subsequently he yells at Lennie.Georges companionship with Lennie also becomes evident at the end of the novella where Georges e xecution of Lennie demonstrates an act of kindness on behalf of their friendship. George, instead of letting Curley give him a long, detestable death, gives Lennie a short and painless one. Additionally, the theme of friendship also affects Lennie when he recites part of George and his dream of owning a ranch But not us An why? Becausebecause I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you, and thats why. were gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an a cow and some pigs and An live off the fatta the lan (Of Mice and Men, p. 13). This quotation suggests Lennie needs George or else his dream will not be a believable accomplishment. This suggestion helps conclude that Lennie sees George as his friend and guide through life, and, without him, Lennie will not know what to do with himself or where to go any longer. In Cannery Row, Steinbeck compares the change in the American Dream from the pursuit of happiness to the pursuit of material success.Steinbeck conveys th e original meaning of the American Dream through mac and his boys mackintosh was the elder, leader, mentor, and to a small extent the exploiter of a little sort of men who had in common no family, no money, and no ambitions beyond food, drink and contentment (Cannery Row, p. 13). mack and his boys are an example of Americans who understand and are fulfilling what the American Dream originally was the pursuit of happiness. In the novel, Mack and his boys are in a debt to Lee Chongwhich he knows they will never repayand still content with the lives they live.Also, Mack and his boys only work when they need necessities to live like food, clothing, or shelter, proving a person does not need to be materially successful to be apt with their lives. While Mack and the Boys are an example of the original American Dream, the Malloys are an example of the changed American Dream. The Malloys demonstrate their need for money to be happy through their longing for more material items Mrs. Mal loy had been contented until her husband became a landlord and because she began to change. First it was a rug, then a washtub, then a lamp with a colored silk shadeMr.Malloy sat up on the mattress. Curtains? he demanded. What in Gods name do you want curtains for? (Cannery Row, p. 47). At first, the Malloys started out as homeless people, but then moved into a broken down boiler in between Lee Chongs and the Bear Flag restaurant. After they had a home and were content, they decided to gain more money by renting out their housing pipes to men as sleeping quarters. Unlike Mack and his boys who gain money for necessities, the Malloys gain money just for having more money and buying unnecessary material things like rugs or silk lampshades, or curtains.Ultimately, Steinbeck proves the original concept of the American Dream can still exist, but the natural greed of humans to want more weakens it. Like Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses Cannery Row to examine the affects a ontogeny frien dship can have on a person. Characters that convey this theme are doc and Frankie. The improbable pair display their friendship when mercantilism goes to retrieve Frankie from the police station after he gets arrested for robbing a jewelry store Frankieyou shouldnt have through with(p) it, said Doc. The heavy stone of inevitability was on his heartFrankie, he said, why did you take it? Frankie looked a long time at him. I love you, he said. Doc ran out and got in his car and went collecting in the caves below Pt. Lobos (Cannery Row, p. 164-165). This quotation displays the strong friendship between Doc and Frankie because after Frankies mom denies responsibility for him, he calls on Doc for help. The friendship between Doc and Frankie almost mirrors the friendship between George and Lennie from Of Mice and Men. Frankie, like Lennie, is a mentally ill character that creates an unexpected friendship with Doc, a man who would seem burdened by Frankie.Like George did for Lennie, Doc tries to help Frankie in his time of need. His single mistake, alongside his mental illness, proved great enough to confuse the judgment of the police, removing from him a second chance in life Frankie only wanted to please his one and only friend, but in doing so, ruined his chances of ever having a future. Ultimately, Frankies friendship with Doc make him feel wanted in a society that rejected him. Furthermore, Mack and the boys and Lee Chong also convey the importance of relationships. They convey this theme when Lee rents out his old fish meal shack to the boys And that was the way it was.Everyone was happy about itThe windows were not broken. Fire did not break out, and while no rent was every paid, if the tenants every had any money, and quite often they did have, it never occurred to them to spend it at any place merely at Lee Chongs grocery (Cannery Row, p. 15). When he gave Mack and the boys the shack, Lee not only stop them from vandalizing his store but also found new f riends in them. Although they never paid rent for reinforcement in the shack, Mack and the boys supported Lee however they were able to, even though they did not have to do anything.In the end, the friendship between Lee and Macks group provided Mack and the boys a shelter to call home and helped protect and improve Lees business. In his novel, In questionable Battle, Steinbeck focuses on the different ways people struggle to achieve the American Dream. Jim Nolan, the first character to convey this theme, displays his struggle when he joins the political party in the beginning of the novel Well, why do you want to join, then? In the jail there were some Party men. They talked to me. Everythings been a mess, all my life. Their lives werent messes.They were functional toward something. I want to work toward something. I feel dead. I thought I might get alive again (In Dubious Battle, p. 8). Before joining the Party Jims life, like many people during the Great Depression, was rough , having lost his business organisation and his parents. As displayed by the quotation, Jims pur deposit for joining the Party was to start a new life to achieve what he saw as the American Dream. During his jail time, Jim discovered his fellow inmates and noticed how being in the Party made them happy, and in his mind, achieving happiness means to achieve the American Dream.From what he witnessed in jail, Jim sought to join the Party to accomplish his own idea of the American Dream. Similar to Jims endeavor to find happiness, the ongoing battle between the workers and the landowners of the apple orchard also demonstrates the struggle the American Dream brings. London, the voted leader of the strike, expresses this when he talks to the orchard superintendant London said, Spose we kick em out? Do we get the money were strikin for? Do we get what we would of got forwards the cut? No but you can go back to work with no more trouble.The owners will overlook everything thats happened You get the men back to work and youll get a steady job here as assistant superintendent at five dollars a day (In Dubious Battle, p. 101). This quotation demonstrates the struggle between London and the superintendent. As displayed by his dialogue, the superintendent makes it clear he does not apportion about his workers and only sees them as people he can exploit to make him money. In a way, the superintendent fulfills the requirements someone needs to achieve the American Dream of material success.Although he gets offered a high-paying job, which would leave alone him to achieve material success, London must still decide whether to leave his fellow workers, or to stick with them in their struggle against the landowners. Ultimately, London declines because of the tension between his poor, working-class and the wealthier class that the superintendent belongs to. While Jim Nolan was used to convey the struggle to achieve the American Dream in In Dubious Battle, Steinbeck also uses him to demonstrate the affects relationships have on individuals.Jim displays the affects relationships have on a person through his involvement with the Party when he takes part in the interrogation of a young boy Jim sat on the mattress and watched. Mac said, Jim, you gave me hell about losing my head a little while ago. Im not losing it now. Its O. K. if youre cold, said Jim. Im a sharpshooter, Mac said. You feeling sorry for the kid, Jim? No, hes not a kid, hes an example (In Dubious Battle, p. 213). In the beginning of the novel, Jim was in search of happiness in life and in an attempt to achieve it he joined the Party.Jim discovers from joining the Party that he has found a family-like relationship among its members, something he was never able to completely have. Although Jim has found a place where he belongs, his involvement with the Party has affected his personality, changing from a caring and sensitive person to a cold and heartless one. Even though Jim calls Mac a co ld person, his inability to look the young boy as a human being proves him to be a cold person as well. Just as Jims personality had changed from joining the Party, Macs personality changes through his friendship with Jim.The scene after Mac interrogates the young boy demonstrates the affect on Mac from this friendship with Jim He stood still, smiling his cold smile, until London went out of the tentAll over his body the muscles shuddered. His expect was pale and grey. Jim put his hand over and took him by the wrist. Mac said wearily, I couldnt of through it if you werent here, Jim. Oh, Jesus, youre hard-boiled. You just looked. You didnt give a damn (In Dubious Battle, p. 214). When Mac began his set out to the apple orchard with Jim, he had a fine line on where he stood with his personal friendship with Jim, acting mainly as Jims mentor.However, as Mac started to spend more time with Jim, he started to adapt Jim sensitive personality, opening up to Jim whenever he was caught in a difficult situation. Though as the storyline progressed, Jims change in personality started to affect Mac just as it had done in the beginning of the novel. Demonstrated by the young boys interrogation, as Jim became more and more cold and heartless, so did Mac. Throughout his novels, East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, Cannery Row, and In Dubious Battle, Steinbeck uses characters to convey the themes of the American Dream and the importance of relationships.By addressing his characters desire and struggle to achieve the American Dream, Steinbeck demonstrates the change in the American Dream from being the pursuit of happiness to the pursuit of material success. Steinbeck makes it evident in many of characters, like Mack and the boys from Cannery Row, that achieving the American Dream can fulfill happiness. Although in some cases, like George and Lennie from Of Mice and Men, where he explores the reality that the American Dream can not always be fulfilled, Steinbeck also explores the possibility that some people can accomplish the American Dream.Through his characters, Steinbeck also demonstrates the affect a relationship can have on an individual, manner of speaking out his or her inner personalities. By having a meaningful relationship with another person, an individual has someone whom they can console with during the struggle it takes to achieve happiness. Ultimately, through meaningful relationships, individuals are given the chance to inhibit the hard work it takes to accomplish the American Dream.