Thursday, July 13, 2006
The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck
I don't like reading sermons. I really don't even like listening to them on CD. That probably sounds hypocritical since I'm a minister and actually preach them from time to time. Of course, I like listening to good ones live.John Steinbeck's last novel (I'm pretty sure as Travels with Charley was published in '62) was published in 1961 and is a veiled commentary on the state of America as it enters the turbulent 1960's. Ethan Hawley is a middle aged stalwart of honesty even though he has lost his business and is the clerk in the grocery store he once owned. His family and friends constantly lament that they are poor and speculate how life would be nice again if they could become rich. Eventually, Ethan begins to believe that money is the answer to his problems and devises a plot to reacquire the store and come into money. In order to do this, he has to compromise all his principles and use those around him to get what he wants. The story has a surprise twist at the end as Ethan learns that his children have become the very thing that he has also become.
All of which brings me back to the idea of sermons. Steinbeck looked around at what America had become and didn't like it (or what he had become and didn't like it!) As far as the message of the book, it is of course right on. We are a nation of people who believe that material possessions and influence are the keys to happiness.
Literary wise, The Winter of Our Discontent is a mixed bag. As always, Steinbeck creates very interesting characters and overly describes the geography. While the story takes too long to develop (you're halfway through before you get a hint of Ethan's sinister plot), once the action starts, it really moves along. The main downfall, though, is the long sections of moralistic "thoughts" that run through Ethan's mind. They are nothing more than Steinbeck sermons. While they are right on the money, they really slow the pace of the book.
In the final analysis, the book sounds like a grumpy old man yelling at everyone from his front porch (or Miss Dubose from To Kill a Mockingbird.) Certainly not one of Steinbeck's best efforts, but then again, his duds are miles ahead of everyone else.
Rating: 2 Stars
