John Steinbeck Test Questions – Flashcards
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Lifespan
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1902-1968
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Born in
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Salinas, California
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Job as young man...
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He worked at a ranch as a hand fruit picker
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School
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Educated at Stanford University, but he didn't graduate.
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When did he win the Pulitzer Prize?
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1940
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What did he win the Pulitzer Prize for?
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For literature of his novel Grapes of Wrath
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What is the Pulitzer Prize?
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An American award given for excellent journalism, drama, music and literature. It is one of the highest awards that America awards those fields. Winners are given a medal, certificate, and $10,000 (2013)
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When did he win the Nobel Prize?
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1962
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What is the Nobel Prize?
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An international award given to individuals or institutions for outstanding contributions in the fields of physics, medicine, literature, and more. It is considered the most prestigious award that can be given internationally. Winners are given a gold medal, certificate, and $1.2 million (2013) Prize winners are known as Nobel Laureates
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Cup of Gold
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His first book (1929). It tells the story of the pirate legend Sir Henry Morgan
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When did the focus of his writing change? What did it change to?
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In the 1930's the focus of Steinbeck's writing changed. He started writing stories about the working poor and the social themes associated with them. Such as justice, what it takes to survive hardships, the link between land and the people, etc.
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Pastures of Heaven
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His first book since his change in writing style. (1932)
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Tortilla Flat
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(1935) Tells the story of Mexican-Americans living in Monterey, California and their struggle to survive.
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In Dubious Battle
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(1936) Tells the story of a bitter labor strike by migratory fruit pickers in California.
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Of Mice and Men
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(1937) the story of two wandering farm workers who are dreaming of a place for their own.
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The Grapes of Wrath
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(1939) It relates to the story of the Joad family as they travel from Oklahoma to California and the troubles they encounter
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Travels with Charley
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(1962) Autobiographical telling of a trip Steinbeck made across America with a poodle, Charley.
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The Arts of King Arthur and his Noble Knights
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(1976) It is the contemporary telling of the tales of King Arthur done in Modern English
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How did he die?
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He died of heart failure in 1968. He is buried in Salinas, California
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George Milton
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Protagonist and the main character. He is caring, compassionate, and understanding. He dreams of owning his own land
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Lennie Small
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The obedient friend of George. He has a child's mind and a giant body. These contrasting qualities cause him problems
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Candy
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One of the lonely ranch workers. Injured on the job, now that he has lost his hand, the only work he can do is general cleaning.
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Crooks
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A black ranch hand. He is sensible and meat, with a mind of his own. He is a lonely character who is discriminated against due to his race.
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Slim
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A skilled, hard working, wise ranch worker with leadership qualities he commands respect from everyone on the ranch.
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Curley
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The boss's son who is a light weight boxer. He is short, defensive, and picks fights with everybody on the ranch.
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Curley's Wife
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The only woman on the ranch. She feels isolated and wants to be with other people. Some people believe she is flirtatious.
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Setting
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*The area around Salinas, California during the Great Depression. *The story focuses on a campsite near the Salinas River and later on a ranch in the same area.
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Theme 1:
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1) The value of a dream. *During the depression, dreams were hard to come by. Sometimes it's a dream that keeps you going when nothing else will. Steinbeck believed in the power of dreams and the good they can do for people.
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Theme 2:
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2) The price of loneliness. *He saw loneliness as a terrible thing. Many of the characters express the sadness cause by their feelings of loneliness. Steinbeck saw the craving for company and the longing for sharing real emotions as two of the aspects that make us turkey human.
