WHo/what influenced steinbeck?
The surroundings and Generation that influenced steinbeck:
- Surroundings: local forests, fields, farms
- Life in California’s Salinas Valley
- Rich migratory and immigrant history influence rationalistic flavor
- Memories from his own childhood & own life
- Real American historical conditions and events from first half of 20th century
- Experiences as a reporter - Vietnam War, WWII
- Lives of the working class
- Harah aspects of migrant life
- Life during the Dust Bowl
- Life during the Great Depression
- The expedition to the Gulf of California
- Ecological themes
- Interests: marine biology, politics, religion, history, & mythology
- Visit to Mexico
People that influenced steinbeck:
- The close association with Ed Ricketts
- Ideas inspired by Socrates
- The story of Emiliano Zapata
- Contact with leftist authors, journalists, and labor union figures
- Fellow American journalist: WIll Lang
- Mentors: radical authors Lincoln Steffens, and Ella Winter
- Closely associated with Arthur Miller