1. John Steinbeck and “Of Mice and Men” One of the greatest American writers of ALL TIME

2. John Steinbeck Grew up in Salinas Valley, California in Monterey County in the early 20 th century “I think I would like to write the story of this whole valley,” he wrote to a friend in 1933, “of all the little towns and all the farms and the ranches in the wilder hills. I can see how I would like to do it so that it would be the valley of the world.” In the 50’s he wrote a widely popular novel about the valley, East of Eden. (Ms. Averill’s FAVORITE!)

3. Popular Steinbeck Quotes Concerned with good and evil, the wrongs of the government, literature, migrant workers, fair wages, the war, and overall justice of humanity. “Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.” “I was born lost and take no pleasure in being found.” “Try to understand men. If you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well, never leads to hate and almost always leads to love.” “When two people meet, each one is changed by the other so you've got two new people.”

4. Quotes cont. “Don't worry about losing. If it is right, it happens - The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.” “A man without words is a man without thought.” “Don't make everyone know about your sadness.” “You can only understand people if you feel them in yourself.” “Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies for instance.”

5. Born a writer Steinbeck began to write at the young age of 14- even wrote in high school! (gasp!) Often submitted newspaper articles under a false name Knew for all his life it was his “calling”. Went to Stanford University, but eventually dropped out. Attended college for a number of years, and left without a degree Went to work as a manual laborer post-college years. This was experience was his inspiration for many of his writings

6. Marriage Steinbeck married Carol Henning She was supportive, outgoing, and independent Moved to New York to try to find work and writing, but moved back to California after no luck “Financially we are in a mess; spiritually, we are riding the clouds.” -J. Steinbeck

7. 1930’s Published many critically acclaimed works; Of Mice and Men, and The Grapes of Wrath, were two popular novels. Both examined the efforts of those living in California, experiencing labor efforts and jobless communities. Hoped Of Mice and Men would become a play Called it, “a study of humility” Humility- humbleness, modesty, meekness

8. Grapes of Wrath-1940 Studied for years before publishing Had a heart for migrant workers and families who were dying and starving because of the conditions A story about a family of migrant workers during The Great Depression Won the Pulitzer prize Still famous and widely popular Controversial at the time because of the sympathy for migrant workers and language

9. Trouble Steinbeck was confronted with backlash after Grapes of Wrath, and continued to have money problems Marriage crumbled, eventually divorced Married Gwendolyn Conger, and had two children, Thomas and John Steinbeck Jr. Worked as a war correspondant, although felt mixed feelings about the war and its tragedies and efforts Was investigated by the FBI for being suspected as a communist. Steinbeck’s friend was killed by a train, and his wife asked for a divorce. Depression ensued.

10. East of Eden; The Major Work “I am choosing to write this book to my sons. They are little boys now and they will never know what they came from through me, unless I tell them...I want them to know how it was, I want to tell them directly, and perhaps by speaking directly to them I shall speak directly to other people... And so I will tell them one of the greatest, perhaps the greatest story of all—the story of good and evil, of strength and weakness, of love and hate, of beauty and ugliness... I shall tell them this story against the background of the county I grew up in.”

11. Death Died of a heart “disease” in 1968 at his home in New York

12. The American Dream The American Dream-American’s want and “need” to be comfortable. To provide for their families, and live in comfort. Although not everyone could have the American Dream, everyone had their own dream for themselves Escape responsibility, escape the hardships, and overall FREEDOM to follow DREAMS It’s right there in the Declaration “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

13. The Great Depression The Great Depression – 1930 Stock Market Crash – WWI ended right before 20’s – After it was over, workers stormed into America – Farmers had to meet demand, so they increased productivity. Many went into debt – When market crashed, the banks had to ask for their money. Farmers couldn’t pay their loans – Many lost their land; therefore, their jobs

14. Dust Bowl Increase of farmers=increase of use of soil Soil began to erode There was a SEVEN year drought Many southerners who were experiencing these hardships, moved to California for work and hope. They were not met with open arms Steinbeck began to sympathize with these “migrant workers”

15. Themes to Look For The American Dream Workers Treatment Good vs. Evil; Morality American Landscape Steinbeck’s background