Embedded Files
Setting: Most of Steinbeck’s books take place in California. They are usually set on a farm where it’s very hot during the day and cool at night. Sometimes the farm represents a symbol that is important to the main characters and other times it’s simply just where the story takes place.
Plot: John Steinbeck’s plots are all pretty simple and very similar to each other. Usually it starts off with a family or a couple of friends that are poor and searching for a better life. They migrate to California seeking work and they will most likely end up in a back breaking job on a farm. Steinbeck rarely strays off this path and has many books that are like this.
Imagery: The imagery and descriptive language are what set John Steinbeck apart from other authors. He focuses very heavily on imagery and will sometimes take up multiple pages describing places that can otherwise be described in as little as a couple sentences. He goes very in depth and paints a clear image in the reader's mind. This leads to people being able to imagine what is taking place in the story very easily.
Emulation:
As my truck rumbled down the gravel road I took the time to look at my surroundings. There wasn’t much around except for a few worn down houses. Their doors swung to and fro in the warm summer wind as they tried to fight the gusts’ but ultimately succumbed to their power. There was a dog laying down on one of the porches accompanied by an old man. We locked eyes and he stared at me or rather it seemed he stared right through me. I pulled up to the shack and shut my truck off. It made a sound as if it were sighing and relieved it no longer had to labor down roads in the blazing sun.
“What is your business ‘ere son?” The old man spat out. I limped closer to him and got a closer look. He seemed to be annoyed that I was coming but also curious. He spat on rickety floorboards next to him and simultaneously petted the dog.
“Nothing much sir, just passing by and wondering how I can get to the Wilsons’ ranch.” He took a long look at me as if he was examining me and determining whether or not to give me an answer.
“Ah you’re one of them,” he said as if he had seen me before, “Just keep going ‘bout 15 miles west ‘til you seen that gas station with the blue chevy rotting away by one of them pumps. Take a right and head north for about 30 miles and you’ll come across that there creek with the birch trees and just follow it ‘til you see the front gate.” He then adjusted his glasses and whistled for his dog to follow him. He got up and went inside and turned to me almost like he was expecting a thanks.
“Oh thanks, I appreciate that sir,” I said and he headed inside with a grin on his face. I turned around and hobbled back over to my truck. I opened the door and wiped the sweat off my brow with my sleeve. I got in and took a deep breath while starting the truck. Per usual it took a few turns before it churned to life with a deep groan.
Setting: I used the setting of California in the summer. I used the hot sun and the barren part of California that Steinbeck uses very often. The main character is told to follow a creek which seems to be in every Steinbeck book. There is always a creek or a lake or some type of water that plays a role in the story.
Plot: The main character is searching for the Wilsons’ ranch. This is because they are searching for work. They are going to be a farmhand during the Great Depression because they can’t find work anywhere else.
Imagery: I tried to describe the setting as much as I could to give the reader a good idea of where the main character is. I tried to pack in as much descriptive detail as possible because that's what Steinbeck does. I made the reader picture what was going on very well so they could be more immersed in the story.
Page updated
Report abuse