John Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902, in Salinas, California. His father owned a feed-and-grain store, managed a flour plant and served as treasurer of Monterey County. His mother was a former schoolteacher. Steinbeck grew up with three sisters. In 1919, Steinbeck enrolled at Stanford University. Over the next six years, Steinbeck drifted in and out of school, eventually dropping out for good in 1925, without a degree. He briefly moved to New York City, where he found work as a construction worker and a newspaper reporter, but then returned to California, where he took a job as a caretaker in Lake Tahoe and began his writing career.

Steinbeck's most famous work is Of Mice and Men. It is about two poor migrant workers, George and Lennie, who are working for the American dream in California during the Great Depression. Lennie, who has a mild mental disability, is steadfastly faithful to his friend George, but he has a habit of getting into trouble. Their goal: to own an acre of land and a shack. After they both secure jobs working the fields of the Salinas Valley — Steinbeck’s own hometown — their dream seems more attainable than ever. However, Lennie’s inclinations eventually get him into trouble again, spiraling to a tragic conclusion for both men. The book was later transformed into a Broadway play and three movies.

Toward the end of Section 1, George reminds Lennie that they are extremely lucky to have each other since most men do not enjoy this comfort, especially men like George and Lennie, who exist on the margins of society. Their bond is made to seem especially rare and precious since the majority of the world does not understand or appreciate it.

“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. . . . With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.”

Here, Steinbeck idealizes male friendships, suggesting that they are the most dignified and satisfying way to overcome the loneliness that pervades the world. This stands out to me because a good friendship is very important to me.

Steinbeck’s Writing style is very Straightforward, Informal, Unassuming , Earnest. Steinbeck's writing style mirrors his characters. Of course the author writes as the men would literally speak, but on a deeper level, the language of the book is simple but compelling—just like the characters.

John Steinbeck is a great American author whose works have left a lasting impact on literature and social commentary. His ability to capture the struggles of ordinary people during the Great Depression era is both touching and thought-provoking. Steinbeck's storytelling is characterized by its vivid descriptions, complex characters. His critique of social injustices, economic disparities, and the American Dream in works like "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men" remains relevant today, serving as a reminder of the enduring challenges faced by marginalized communities. Steinbeck's literary legacy continues to inspire readers to reflect on societal issues and the resilience of the human spirit.

EQ: How did literature of the 1930s and 1940s in the United States address the hardships and aspirations of the dispossessed during the Great Depression and World War II?

Social Realism: Many authors of this period, including John Steinbeck, adopted a known as social realism, which aimed to depict the harsh realities of the time. Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" is a prime example, as it vividly portrays the struggles of Dust Bowl migrants during the Great Depression.