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John Steinbeck (1902-1968). “The Grapes of Wrath”. Early Life. Born in Salinas, California Father, Ernest, tried several jobs to care for his family Owned a feed and grain store Managed a flour plant Treasurer of Monterrey County Mother, Olive Hamilton, was a school teacher Three sisters
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John Steinbeck (1902-1968) “The Grapes of Wrath”
Early Life • Born in Salinas, California • Father, Ernest, tried several jobs to care for his family • Owned a feed and grain store • Managed a flour plant • Treasurer of Monterrey County • Mother, Olive Hamilton, was a school teacher • Three sisters • Decided at 14 to become a writer • At 19, enrolled at Stanford University • Was enrolled on/off for six years, before finally dropping out in 1925
Moved to New York City • Construction worker • Newspaper reporter • Moved back to California • Caretaker in Lake Tahoe • Published first novel, “Cup of Gold” (1929) • Met and married first wife, Carol
Major Works • “Tortilla Flat” (1935) • “In Dubious Battle” (1936) • “Of Mice and Men” (1937) • “The Long Valley” (1938) • “The Grapes of Wrath” (1939) • “Cannery Row” (1945) • “East of Eden” (1952)
Last Years • Was a war correspondent for The New York Herald Tribune during WWII • Won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 for “The Grapes of Wrath” • Died of heart disease on December 20, 1968
“The Grapes of Wrath” • Setting • The Great Depression • The Dust Bowl • Between Oklahoma and California • Themes • The effects of the Great Depression • Man’s Inhumanity toward Man • The Power of Family