John Steinbecks Existentialism

John Steinbeck, yeah, you know him, that famous American writer? He’s known for really digging into the struggles of folks during the Great Depression. But there's more to his stories. He also got into existential stuff – like what life’s all about when the universe seems like it just doesn’t care. His books have a lot of deep thoughts about feeling alone and searching for purpose. Let’s dive into how he does this existential thing in his writing. Looking at "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men," we'll see how Steinbeck’s way of seeing the world shapes his stories and shows us what life's struggles are really about. By checking out his characters and their tough questions, we’ll get some serious insights into life and what it means to be human.

Feeling Alone in a Big World

Steinbeck’s characters? They’re often dealing with being alone or feeling out of place – big existential ideas, right? In "The Grapes of Wrath," take the Joad family for example. They’re totally cut off socially and financially while trying to make it through poverty and losing their home. As they travel, Steinbeck throws them into a world that couldn’t care less, making them think hard about where they fit in. Then there’s "Of Mice and Men," with George and Lennie feeling alienated during the Great Depression era. Especially Lennie – he's got mental challenges and can’t find his spot in a harsh world. These situations show that feeling lost is something we all might face. Through these characters' journeys, Steinbeck nudges us to ponder our own feelings of isolation today.

The Bigger Picture

Wrapping it up, John Steinbeck dives deep into life’s big questions in his books, shedding light on our shared human struggles. His characters facing loneliness and searching for meaning prompt readers to consider their own battles with existence's complexities. By looking at works like "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men," we’ve seen how Steinbeck’s existential thoughts shape his storytelling, giving us a peek into life's inherent challenges. The stories reflect our own lives back at us, pushing us to confront those big existential questions head-on. Exploring more about how existentialism influenced Steinbeck could open new doors to understanding why his work still matters today. His take on existence offers a timeless look at what it means to be human—reminding us all of our ongoing search for meaning in a universe that doesn’t always seem to care.

References

• Bloom, H., & Hobby, B. (2009). John Steinbeck: Bloom's Modern Critical Views.
• Lloyd-Smith, A. (1997). American Gothic Fiction: An Introduction.
• Timmerman, J.H., & Shillinglaw, S.B. (2013). A Political Companion to John Steinbeck.