1. The “Isms” Influences on John Steinbeck and his writing

2. American Transcendentalism Emerson (as in, Ralph Waldo) looked for primary truth in the fundamental nature of the human mind. We have more in the mind than enters it through the senses. Emerson (as in, Ralph Waldo) looked for primary truth in the fundamental nature of the human mind. We have more in the mind than enters it through the senses. Transcendentalism’s commitment to the individual is a commitment to the soul or spirit that each person possesses in common with all other human beings. Emerson called this the “Oversoul.” Transcendentalism’s commitment to the individual is a commitment to the soul or spirit that each person possesses in common with all other human beings. Emerson called this the “Oversoul.”

3. American Transcendentalism A means of understanding the physical and spiritual world. A means of understanding the physical and spiritual world. A philosophical, religious, literary, and social movement. A philosophical, religious, literary, and social movement. The social imperative: The social imperative: The well-being of all individuals is the basic purpose for all social organizations. The well-being of all individuals is the basic purpose for all social organizations. Autonomous individuals cannot exist apart from others. Autonomous individuals cannot exist apart from others. There is a fundamental unity, a basic similarity, in all human experience, which is more important than the many obvious differences. There is a fundamental unity, a basic similarity, in all human experience, which is more important than the many obvious differences.

4. Transcendentalism: Test 2 When Sairy Wilson asks Casy to say a prayer with her, Casy says, “I got no God.” Sairy replies, “You got a God. Don’t make no difference if you don’t know what he looks like.” What might Sairy mean, and what does this tell us about the transformation in Casy’s beliefs since he stopped preaching? How do the Joads reflect this transformation? Straight from our notes: Transcendentalism holds that there is a fundamental unity, a basic similarity, in all human experience, which is more important than the many obvious differences... Transcendentalism’s commitment to the individual is a commitment to the soul or spirit that each person possesses in common with all other human beings. Emerson called this the “Oversoul.”

5. Transcendentalism: Test 2 Casy promotes this belief in his rejection of traditional views of sin and virtue. Casy’s new direction defines the religious impulse as human love: “What’s this call, this sperit?...It’s love.” This direction also identifies the Holy Spirit as the human spirit in all mankind: “Maybe all men got one big soul ever’body’s a part of.” This is the essence of American Transcendentalism.

6. Transcendentalism:Test 2 Sairy seems to recognize that while Casy is not a traditionally religious man, he is very spiritual, and his willingness to pray with her reflects their human bond. “That’s what I needed. Somebody close enough – to pray.” The Joads demonstrate this bond – this shift from “I” to “We” – in their merger with the Wilsons and Ma’s willingness to feed others’ starving children. In doing so, they expand the definition of family. They are now part of the bigger human family made up of their fellow migrants. They are all part of what Casy described as “one big sperit.” This is also clearly seen in the migrant communities that form nightly on the road, where “twenty families became one family; the children were the children of all.”

7. Socialism John Steinbeck was not a socialist. However, his interest in socialism varied throughout his life. John Steinbeck was not a socialist. However, his interest in socialism varied throughout his life. Socialist doctrine demands state ownership and control of the fundamental means of production and distribution of wealth. Socialist doctrine demands state ownership and control of the fundamental means of production and distribution of wealth. The doctrine especially advocates nationalization of natural resources, basic industries, banking and credit facilities, and public utilities. The doctrine especially advocates nationalization of natural resources, basic industries, banking and credit facilities, and public utilities. The ultimate goal of all socialists is a classless, cooperative commonwealth in every nation of the world. The ultimate goal of all socialists is a classless, cooperative commonwealth in every nation of the world. Steinbeck once said that “only innocents or monsters” turned to socialism. Steinbeck once said that “only innocents or monsters” turned to socialism.

8. Naturalism Became the dominant literary movement in American fiction by the turn of the 20 th century. Became the dominant literary movement in American fiction by the turn of the 20 th century. Early naturalistic writers included Stephen Crane (“The Red Badge of Courage”); Jack London (“The Call of the Wild”); Theodore Dreiser (“An American Tragedy”). Early naturalistic writers included Stephen Crane (“The Red Badge of Courage”); Jack London (“The Call of the Wild”); Theodore Dreiser (“An American Tragedy”). Many of their stories manifested Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest.” Many of their stories manifested Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest.” Naturalism is a form of extreme realism: “Human beings are animals in a natural world, responding to environmental forces and internal stresses and drives, over none of which they have control and none of which they fully understand.” 1 Naturalism is a form of extreme realism: “Human beings are animals in a natural world, responding to environmental forces and internal stresses and drives, over none of which they have control and none of which they fully understand.” 1 In other words humans are animal-like, following their instincts to survive. In other words humans are animal-like, following their instincts to survive. 1. C. Hugh Holman and William Harmon. A Handbook to Literature, 5 th ed. (New York: Macmillan, 1986).

9. Naturalism At the heart of this ideology is pessimistic Determinism: the notion that the causes of human tragedy lie beyond the powers of the individual. We struggle against forces beyond human control. At the heart of this ideology is pessimistic Determinism: the notion that the causes of human tragedy lie beyond the powers of the individual. We struggle against forces beyond human control. The movement was influenced by Marxist theory, which holds that class struggle is the central element of social change in Western society. The movement was influenced by Marxist theory, which holds that class struggle is the central element of social change in Western society. This was coupled with economic problems stemming from urbanization of America at the end of the 19 th century. This was coupled with economic problems stemming from urbanization of America at the end of the 19 th century. This combination portrayed socio-economic forces that overwhelm individual lives. This combination portrayed socio-economic forces that overwhelm individual lives.

10. Naturalism Naturalists focused on the lives of lower-class characters struggling for survival in an alien and often hostile society. Naturalists focused on the lives of lower-class characters struggling for survival in an alien and often hostile society. In other words, nature is indifferent to our struggle; society is insensitive to our personal needs for fulfillment or self-expression. In other words, nature is indifferent to our struggle; society is insensitive to our personal needs for fulfillment or self-expression. Life is seen as merely a sequence of cause and effect; a chain of events flowing from one event. Life is seen as merely a sequence of cause and effect; a chain of events flowing from one event. Their stories are often told by an “all-knowing” narrator who can relate deterministic factors far beyond the knowledge of the characters affected by them. Their stories are often told by an “all-knowing” narrator who can relate deterministic factors far beyond the knowledge of the characters affected by them.

11. Naturalism The tendency in naturalistic works is that no one emerges triumphant, because simple survival constitutes a moral victory. Beaten down by an inhuman system and bad luck, many of the naturalist writers’ characters end as suicide victims. The tendency in naturalistic works is that no one emerges triumphant, because simple survival constitutes a moral victory. Beaten down by an inhuman system and bad luck, many of the naturalist writers’ characters end as suicide victims. Death is seen as a natural outcome. Death is seen as a natural outcome. John Steinbeck was not a dedicated student of American naturalism, yet his themes and methods are often closely tied to this literary movement. John Steinbeck was not a dedicated student of American naturalism, yet his themes and methods are often closely tied to this literary movement.

12. Naturalism: Billy Austin With a partner, conduct this three-step analysis: With a partner, conduct this three-step analysis: STEP ONE: Re-read the lyrics and write one sentence that summarizes the subject of the song. STEP ONE: Re-read the lyrics and write one sentence that summarizes the subject of the song. STEP TWO: Read the lyrics a second time and write notes out to the side of the song that identifies figurative language: metaphors, similes, personification, imagery, etc. What message is communicated to you now? Write two to three sentences that explain your thoughts. STEP TWO: Read the lyrics a second time and write notes out to the side of the song that identifies figurative language: metaphors, similes, personification, imagery, etc. What message is communicated to you now? Write two to three sentences that explain your thoughts. STEP THREE: Read the lyrics a third time. What is Steve Earle trying to communicate? What is the final message? Write a short paragraph/reflection. STEP THREE: Read the lyrics a third time. What is Steve Earle trying to communicate? What is the final message? Write a short paragraph/reflection.

13. “Billy Austin” Now, individually write a short essay in your notebooks, considering the following: Now, individually write a short essay in your notebooks, considering the following: “Seems like I’ve always been in prison, like I’ve always been alone.” What might the figurative meaning of this statement be? After all, Billy didn’t enter jail the moment he exited the womb. “Seems like I’ve always been in prison, like I’ve always been alone.” What might the figurative meaning of this statement be? After all, Billy didn’t enter jail the moment he exited the womb. What clues do we get that the odds are stacked against Billy? What clues do we get that the odds are stacked against Billy? Billy says he’s guilty: But is there any justification for what he has done? Explain. Billy says he’s guilty: But is there any justification for what he has done? Explain.

14. The Grapes of Wrath: Essay Henry Bemis: “A bookish little man whose passion is the printed page but who is conspired against by a bank president; a wife; a world full of tongue-cluckers; and the unrelenting hands of a clock.” Henry Bemis: “A bookish little man whose passion is the printed page but who is conspired against by a bank president; a wife; a world full of tongue-cluckers; and the unrelenting hands of a clock.” Jackie Brown: “Dream of vacationing on a mountain stream and giving the world more than it gave to you. What ugly truths freedom brings. And it hasn’t been very kind to you.” Jackie Brown: “Dream of vacationing on a mountain stream and giving the world more than it gave to you. What ugly truths freedom brings. And it hasn’t been very kind to you.” Billy Austin: “I’m 29 years old. I was born in Oklahoma, quarter Cherokee, I’m told. Don’t remember Oklahoma, been so long since I left home. Seems like I’ve always been in prison, like I’ve always been alone.” Billy Austin: “I’m 29 years old. I was born in Oklahoma, quarter Cherokee, I’m told. Don’t remember Oklahoma, been so long since I left home. Seems like I’ve always been in prison, like I’ve always been alone.”

15. The Grapes of Wrath: Essay All three of these characters could be seen as victims of circumstances beyond their control. This is the essence of naturalism: the notion that the causes of human tragedy lie beyond the powers of the individual. Naturalistic novels deal with lower-class characters struggling for survival in an alien and often hostile society. All three of these characters could be seen as victims of circumstances beyond their control. This is the essence of naturalism: the notion that the causes of human tragedy lie beyond the powers of the individual. Naturalistic novels deal with lower-class characters struggling for survival in an alien and often hostile society.

16. The Grapes of Wrath: Essay But does that apply in these cases? After all, Billy Austin did not have to pull that trigger. As Mellencamp states, those who “don’t give a damn” about Jackie Brown see him as “just another lazy man who couldn’t take what was his.” If Henry Bemis had made a better effort to adapt to his environment, he could have avoided conflict. But does that apply in these cases? After all, Billy Austin did not have to pull that trigger. As Mellencamp states, those who “don’t give a damn” about Jackie Brown see him as “just another lazy man who couldn’t take what was his.” If Henry Bemis had made a better effort to adapt to his environment, he could have avoided conflict. And what about the migrants in The Grapes of Wrath? And what about the migrants in The Grapes of Wrath?

17. The Grapes of Wrath: Essay Decide where you come down on the concept of naturalism, and type a one-page essay explaining your position. Use the characters listed previously (Billy, Jackie, Henry, the farmers from “Grapes”) to illustrate your argument. Try to persuade the reader to your way of thinking. State your position clearly, and offer examples to support your points. Decide where you come down on the concept of naturalism, and type a one-page essay explaining your position. Use the characters listed previously (Billy, Jackie, Henry, the farmers from “Grapes”) to illustrate your argument. Try to persuade the reader to your way of thinking. State your position clearly, and offer examples to support your points. Format: same as first essay. Write in third person, present tense. Use evidence from text to support your points. Format: same as first essay. Write in third person, present tense. Use evidence from text to support your points.