Superorganism In John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

I believe that the author’s life experiences influenced and interests influenced the book's message. “In the summer of 1923, Steinbeck enrolled in a biology course at Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove and there became familiar with the ideas of WIlliam Emerson Fitter, and found himself especially enamored with Ritter’s concept of the super-organism.” Superorganism refers to “an organized society (as of a social insect) that functions as an organic whole.” This term “is used most often to describe a social unit of eusocial animals, where division of labour is highly specialised and where individuals are not able to survive by themselves for extended periods.” Second was his interest in “group behavior.” Group behavior alludes to how “people
behave in large- or small-group situations. People join groups for a multitude of reasons, most frequently because membership satisfies a need of the individual.” One of his many life experiences , I saw one as an influential event. After he left Stanford, he briefly lived in New York City. He attempted to support himself “as a manual laborer and journalist. “I had a thin, lonely, hungry time of it”, he wrote in 1935.” , “And I remember too well the cockroaches under my wash basin and the impossibility of getting a job. I was scared thoroughly. And I can’t forget the scare.” These examples are all connected to loneliness and the need of a companion to satisfy our needs. That’s why I believe his life experiences and interest contributed to the message of the book.