Foster 1
John Foster
Honors English period 4
John Steinbeck was arguably the greatest American writer of the early 20th century. But, what made his works stand out? A large amount of credit is due to
his ability to depict positive qualities in the most troubled of characters. notably in those with physical impairments, and among minorities.
In The Grapes of Wrath, the Grandfather was getting quite old and becoming weak. even in the face of his decline, however, he remained strong, particularly
in his unwillingness to give up his family's land. His impairments did not stop him in his desire to provide for his family. Of Mice and Men harbored Candy, who, even with
one hand, was willing to work right up until he couldn't do it anymore. Candy was a kind old man, who cared for things that had lost their use... namely his old dog. In
despair after his dog is killed, he even cries out, "You see what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn't no good to himself nor anybody else." (Steinbeck 60).
His empathy for the weak and helpless is inspiring.
Minorities play a small, but profound part in Of Mice and Men. Crooks is a black stable buck with a bad back. And, though cold and hardened through years
of degredation, at heart, only wants to know people and have friends. He even invites Lennie into his room to talk after his initial intrusion. Crooks was portrayed in a
dignified light, which is very unusual, given the time period, and the lack of compassion and understanding of minorities therein. But that only further signifies his sense of
self-respect, and his desire to be an equal. Minorities are presented with an unbiased view in Steinbeck's work, which allows them to be seen as thenormal people that
they really are.
In comparison to minorities, the physically impaired hold few unique gems. Minorities seem to have a more heightened sense of dignity and tendency to
perseverance in his novels, whereas the disabled tend to lean towards kindness and selflessness. Both groups prove their inspiring strength and integrity in Steinbeck's
novels time and again.
Steinbeck knew how to give a character life. He knew all of the problems and pain to make the individual real and relatable, but he also knew to add strong
positive traits to inspire readers into accepting more people by seeing the good in everyone. In all fairness, minorities and the physically disabled are just examples. no one
is purely evil in the utopian works of John Steinbeck.
John Foster
Honors English period 4
John Steinbeck was arguably the greatest American writer of the early 20th century. But, what made his works stand out? A large amount of credit is due to
his ability to depict positive qualities in the most troubled of characters. notably in those with physical impairments, and among minorities.
In The Grapes of Wrath, the Grandfather was getting quite old and becoming weak. even in the face of his decline, however, he remained strong, particularly
in his unwillingness to give up his family's land. His impairments did not stop him in his desire to provide for his family. Of Mice and Men harbored Candy, who, even with
one hand, was willing to work right up until he couldn't do it anymore. Candy was a kind old man, who cared for things that had lost their use... namely his old dog. In
despair after his dog is killed, he even cries out, "You see what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn't no good to himself nor anybody else." (Steinbeck 60).
His empathy for the weak and helpless is inspiring.
Minorities play a small, but profound part in Of Mice and Men. Crooks is a black stable buck with a bad back. And, though cold and hardened through years
of degredation, at heart, only wants to know people and have friends. He even invites Lennie into his room to talk after his initial intrusion. Crooks was portrayed in a
dignified light, which is very unusual, given the time period, and the lack of compassion and understanding of minorities therein. But that only further signifies his sense of
self-respect, and his desire to be an equal. Minorities are presented with an unbiased view in Steinbeck's work, which allows them to be seen as thenormal people that
they really are.
In comparison to minorities, the physically impaired hold few unique gems. Minorities seem to have a more heightened sense of dignity and tendency to
perseverance in his novels, whereas the disabled tend to lean towards kindness and selflessness. Both groups prove their inspiring strength and integrity in Steinbeck's
novels time and again.
Steinbeck knew how to give a character life. He knew all of the problems and pain to make the individual real and relatable, but he also knew to add strong
positive traits to inspire readers into accepting more people by seeing the good in everyone. In all fairness, minorities and the physically disabled are just examples. no one
is purely evil in the utopian works of John Steinbeck.
posted by James @ 6:14 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home