Here's a breakdown of his major genres and the reasons behind his choices:
1. Realistic Fiction:
* Themes: Steinbeck focused on social injustice, poverty, the struggles of ordinary people, and the relationship between humans and nature.
* Style: His writing was gritty, honest, and often tragic, with a focus on naturalistic detail and colloquial language.
* Examples: "The Grapes of Wrath", "Of Mice and Men", "East of Eden", "Tortilla Flat"
Why he wrote realistic fiction:
* Personal experience: Steinbeck grew up in poverty and witnessed the hardships of migrant workers firsthand. He wanted to give voice to the marginalized and shed light on their struggles.
* Social commentary: He saw his writing as a platform to critique social injustice, class inequality, and the exploitation of the working class.
* Humanity's connection to nature: Steinbeck believed in the interconnectedness of humans and the natural world. He explored this theme through powerful imagery and symbolism.
2. Historical Fiction:
* Examples: "The Pearl", "The Red Pony", "The Winter of Our Discontent"
* Focus: He used historical settings to explore timeless themes of human nature, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams.
3. Non-fiction:
* Examples: "Travels with Charley", "The Log from the Sea of Cortez"
* Focus: Steinbeck often used non-fiction to document his experiences and observations, exploring topics like nature, travel, and social issues.
Overall: Steinbeck's work is characterized by its humanity, realism, and social conscience. He wrote about the challenges and triumphs of ordinary people, using powerful storytelling to highlight their struggles and inspire empathy in readers.