The Winter of Our Discontent

Biography John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, on February 27th, 1902. His father worked as country treasurer and his mother was a teacher. Steinbeck had three sisters: two of which were older and one was younger. Steinbeck often returns back to his hometown of Salinas, a place that he alludes to often in his writings. Steinbeck went to Stanford University in 1919, but was not what one would call a "typical student." Steinbeck simply took classes that interested him harnessed his writing skills while working odd jobs. Steinbeck 's first novel was the rather unsuccessful mythological tale of the Cup of Gold. Published in 1929, its luke-warm reception did not faze him. Steinbeck continued writing and married Carol Henning in 1930. This would not be his last trip to the altar – he ended up marrying three times. In 1935 Steinbeck published his first success – Tortilla Flat – which later was made into a film in 1942. Tortilla Flat earned Steinbeck the California Commonwealth Club 's Gold Medal. In 1937, Steinbeck published Of Mice and Men, a tragedy done in the form of a novella. Steinbeck published The Grapes of Wrath, a Pulitzer Prize winner, in 1939. In 1940, the book was made into a film. Steinbeck 's other works include Cannery Row (1945), The Moon is Down (1942), The Pearl (1947), and East of Eden (1952). Steinbeck 's two sons were a result of his second wife, Gwyndolyn Steinbeck. Thomas Myles Steinbeck was born in 1944 and John Steinbeck IV was born in 1946. They divorced quite shortly after the birth of John IV. In 1950, Steinbeck married Elaine Scoot, whom he stayed with until his death. Steinbeck 's political views can be largely seen through his writing, and were often a major source of his criticisms. For instance, The Grapes of Wrath brought on much controversy due to Steinbeck 's liberal views. Steinbeck once wrote, ""The vilification of me out here from the large landowners and bankers is pretty bad. The latest is a rumor started by

Cited: • James J. Martine (1981). Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 9: American Novelists, 1910-1945, Part 3. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Company • Riley, Carolyn (1990). Twentieth Century Literary Criticism, Volume 5. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Inc. • Benson, Jackson (1984). John Steinbeck, Writer. Hudson Street, New York: Penguin Group • Steinbeck, John (1961). The Winter of Our Discontent. Hudson Street, New York: Penguin Books • John Steinbeck. 10 May 2006. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 13 May 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_steinbeck