Who Are John Steinbeck's Writers

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Like many authors, John Steinbeck’s writing contains elements that make his works unique. Two of his well-known novels, Of Mice and Men and The Pearl, clearly represent four characteristics of Steinbeck’s literary works. Some of the most distinguishable elements of Steinbeck’s novels are the settings, the use of a poor working class protagonist, the often unhappy endings, and his writing style in his work. Due to the fact that Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, the majority of his works take place in California. Some of these works include, East of Eden and Cannery Row. Of Mice and Men takes place “a few miles South of Soledad, the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green” (203). Steinbeck probably …show more content…
These characters usually have to work for everything they own but are still amiable throughout the books. For example, in his novella, Of Mice and Men, he focuses on two migrant workers, Lenny and George. While it is evident Lenny has mild mental disability, he is a gentle and kind person who is unaware of his own strength. George can be short-tempered at times in the book but he is still a loving protector to Lennie. The first time George speaks in the book is when he warns Lennie not to drink too much or he would get sick like the night before (204). This shows that he cares about Lennie and that they look out for each other. These characters also show great persistence through their hard work and dedication for bettering their life. The novel is centered around the men’s plans on working hard and saving their money to buy a piece of land. In The Pearl, the protagonist is “Kino, the fisherman” and his family (473). When Coyotito, Kino’s son, is stung by a scorpion, Kino desperately searches for a pearl to pay for …show more content…
Steinbeck’s works, however, often use unhappy endings to make for an unpredictable and refreshing read. For example, in Of Mice and Men, readers are led to believe the men are close to buying their dream farm. However, at the end of the book, things take a turn for the worst when Lennie accidentally murders another character. Knowing Lennie would be killed for this, George knows he has to protect his friend one last time. He “raised the gun and steadied it...close to the back of Lennie’s head…he pulled the trigger” (271). In the end, the readers do not get the happy ending they may be expecting. Instead, they get the shocking and sad reality of Lennie’s death. In The Pearl, after Kino finds the pearl, readers may believe his son will be cured. However, at the ending of the book, when Kino looks “in the surface of the pearl he saw Coyotito lying in the little cave with the top of his head shot away” (527). Here we learn the tragic fate of Kino’s son. In many of Steinbeck’s works, the endings are often unexpected and tragic as seen in these
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