Steinbeck’s Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech, 1962 – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
What does Steinbeck say he wants to take the time to consider?
answer
the high duties and the responsibilities of the maker's of literature
question
Why does he wish to "roar like a lion"?
answer
He feels impelled to be proud in his profession
question
From what did literature grow?
answer
Literature grew out of human needs
question
How does literature serve human needs?
answer
Functions duties, responsibilities, develop understanding and resolution of fear
question
Steinbeck refers to the writer William Faulkner. According to Faulkner, what is the only worthy topic about which to write?
answer
The human heart in conflict with itself
question
What is the ancient commission of the writer?
answer
Charged with exposing our many grievous faults and failures, dredging up to the purpose of movement
question
What are a writer's responsibilities?
answer
To declare and celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit
question
What did Alfred Nobel perfect?
answer
The release of explosive forces
question
What is the explosive force about which Steinbeck speaks?
answer
Choices ungoverned by conscience or judgment; capable of creative good or of destructive evil
question
How is Nobel's thinking indicated in the award?
answer
Nobel strove to invent a control/safe valve, only in the human mind and spirit; offered for increased and continuing knowledge of man and world
question
What does Steinbeck feel we have usurped?
answer
We have usurped many of the powers we once ascribed to God
question
What does he say that man is?
answer
Man is our greatest hazard and our only hope
question
The final sentence is a Biblical allusion to the Gospel of John(1:1). In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God." How does Steinbeck's definition of man fit into this?
answer
"In the end is the Word, and the Word is Man - and the Word is with Men"
