Biography and Literary Style John Steinbeck Biography and Literary Style
QuickWrite “If you’re in trouble, or hurt or need- got to the poor people. They’re the only ones that’ll help- the only ones.” John Steinbeck Respond. Do you agree why? Can you think of examples? ½ page minimum.
Bio Facts Born: Salinas, CA Died: New York City Februrary 27, 1902 Decemeber 20, 1968 Heart attack/heart disease
Early Life Generally happy Early writer Appreciation of the land 1919: Stanford Drifted in and out, left for good in 1925 with no degree Grew up with three sisters, father had a variety of jobs to keep the family fed. Said he wanted to be a writer at 14. Often locked himself in his room to write stories and poems. Was particularly fond of California’s Salinas Valley. Enrolled in college mostly to please his parents but as a budding writer, felt like he had no use for college. Wrote for the college literary magazine .
Influential Job Experiences Road gang laborer Construction work in NYC Fruit picker/hired ranch hand Reporter for New York American newspaper World War II correspondent for New York Heralk Tribune Propagandist for American during WWII In New York: Worked on Madison Square Garden project.
Awards Pulitzer Prize in Fiction (1940) Nobel Prize in Literature (1962)
Literary Focus/Style Modern realist/naturalist Sets work in (or in route to) Californiz Focuses on the plight of the common man (farmers, laborers) Frames most works around themes of poverty, desperation, social injustice, and brotherhood Depicts lifes as it is, without coloration, exaggeration, or romantic notions. REFERENCE CONTROVERSY
Cup of Gold (1929- first novel) Tortilla Flat (1935-first novel about Mexican Americans) Of Mice and Men (1937- first novel about the harsh lives of migrant workers, first novel to address mental retardation, adapted for stage) Grapes of Wrath (1939- considered his masterpiece. Addresses hardships of migrant farmers during Great Depression)