From Frustration to Affirmation A Study of John Steinbeck s Philosophy of Life with Reference to the Select Novels

Abstract

The thesis entitled From Frustration to Affirmation- A Study of newlineJohn Steinbeck s Philosophy of Life with Reference to the Select Novels, newlineanalyses the selected novels of the American author, John Steinbeck, to newlinetrace the common themes present in them. Steinbeck takes historical events newlinesuch as The Great Depression and Dust Bowl and writes about the newlinecommon people who lived through these events. His fictional world newlinecombines expectation with desolation, hurt with opportunities, and agony newlinewith ethical development. He teaches people to be resilient and to never give newlineup even in tough times. newlineChapter I begins with the American History which witnessed the newlinehuge migration, Civil war and the World Wars. The Great Depression was a newlinesevere economic decline in the history of the United States of America. The newlineimpact of the Great Depression was so deep that the writers who belonged to newlinethis period wrote about the war as well as the literary movement that was newlinestirred in 1929. The first chapter also presents a picture of the general newlinethemes in Steinbeck s novels. newlineChapter II examines the theme of struggle for existence in John newlineSteinbeck s selected novels. This is a universal theme which is portrayed newlineremarkably in his novels. Steinbeck explores the dynamics of the migrant newlineworkers and examines the social injustices caused to them. The chapter newlineestablishes how the protagonists try to preserve the moral values, innocence newlineand dream so that it is not destroyed by the harsh forces of the outside newlineworld. newlineChapter III deals with the theme of group behavior . Steinbeck s newlineindividuals exhibit group behavior that exerts significant influence on newlineothers. They form the foundation for the long span of human survival. While newlineSteinbeck demonstrates the group of violent and corrupt men, he also newlinedisplays helpful neighbors, good friends and companions in his novels. He newlinepoints out how the collective effort plays a major role in solving hardships newlineand help to solve issues. newlineChapter IV discusses the theme of goodness in Steinbeck s works. newlineThis chapter highlights the morals and lessons exhibited by Steinbeck s newlinecharacters. The protagonists exhibit vigor and honesty of the human spirit newlineeven in the horrible, really gloomy conditions. Goodness, which gives newlinepurpose and meaning to the life, is the constant theme present in all newlineSteinbeck s works. The characters though portray a desire for wealth and newlinestatus initially, transform into a good human being towards the end of the newlinenovel by retaining the virtues with them. newlineChapter V offers conclusion highlighting the predominant three themes newlinetaken in the study. The five novels selected for the study despite their newlinedifferent settings and diverse main characters share the common themes newlineand possess the prospect of the humans to rise above their personality. In newlinesum, Steinbeck gives expression to the self-esteem of the human will, in newlinesearch of liberty and moral development. Thus, the close study of the newlineselected novels demonstrates that the protagonists and the characters of newlineJohn Steinbeck though weighed down by social forces, affirm life and newlinetransform themselves into better human beings. newline