John Steinbeck( 1902~1968 )《憤怒的葡萄》。吳魯芹的「餘年集」訪史坦貝克故居：現在，無法維持此清一色菜湯啦.......

John Steinbeck( 1902~1968 )《憤怒的葡萄》。吳魯芹的「餘年集」訪史坦貝克故居：現在，無法維持此清一色菜湯啦.......


"In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." ....
Born 119 years ago today, 27th February 1902, , "a giant of American letters,". .... Read more below

史坦貝克（John Ernst Steinbeck）

（西元1902.2.27—1968.12.20）

美國小說家。從史丹福大學退學後，立志成為作家。作品中對移民工人的底層生活多所描述。為1962年諾貝爾文學獎的得主。著名小說包括《憤怒的葡萄》與《月亮下去了》等。

　　咱們得忍耐才行呀。因為，湯姆，就算是全世界的人都消失了，就只有咱們（窮人）還可以繼續安然生存；因為，像是湯姆啦、還有咱們啦，都鐵定能夠活下去的嘛。那些傢伙（富人）怎可能剷除消滅我們呢？因為，咱們可是活生生的人，活得可好的呢。……有錢人在世時雖然威風八面，可他死掉以後，家業交到不成材的兒孫們手中，也就全被敗得一毛不剩了。不過呢，湯姆，咱們可是一代接著一代生生不息呢，根本沒啥好怕的。湯姆，這世界可是正在改變呢。

節自《憤怒的葡萄》

Topic :-

"The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck.

1) Introduction :-

"The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck is a classic novel published in 1939. Set during the Great Depression, it follows the Joad family's journey from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma to California in search of a better life. The novel explores themes of poverty, social injustice, and the resilience of the human spirit. Steinbeck's powerful portrayal of the struggles faced by migrant workers earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1940.

2) Summary :-

"The Grapes of Wrath" is a novel that tells the story of the Joad family, farmers in Oklahoma who are displaced by the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. The family, led by Tom Joad, embarks on a journey to California in search of a promised land. The narrative captures their hardships, encounters with exploitation, and the erosion of their dreams.

As the Joads travel west, they confront both natural and human-made obstacles. They encounter systemic injustice, as big corporations exploit migrant workers, leading to impoverished living conditions. Tom Joad becomes increasingly aware of the social and economic inequalities, and the novel delves into themes of collective action and social change.

The character of Jim Casy, a former preacher turned philosopher, plays a crucial role in the narrative, advocating for the strength of the collective and challenging established societal norms. The Joads' struggles reflect the broader challenges faced by many during the Depression era.

Steinbeck's writing captures the desperation of the time, portraying the endurance of the human spirit amid adversity. "The Grapes of Wrath" remains a poignant critique of social injustice and a testament to the resilience of individuals in the face of hardship.

3) Critical analysis :-

"The Grapes of Wrath" is hailed as a masterpiece for its profound exploration of social and economic issues during the Great Depression. Steinbeck's narrative is a searing critique of the American capitalist system, exposing the exploitation faced by migrant workers and the profound inequalities ingrained in society.

**1. Socioeconomic Critique:**

- Steinbeck vividly portrays the impact of the Dust Bowl and economic collapse on the Joad family, making a broader statement about the struggles of the working class.

- The novel critiques the ruthlessness of large corporations and the agricultural industry, depicting how they exploit labor for profit.

**2. Human Dignity and Dehumanization:**

- The Joads' journey reveals the dehumanizing effects of poverty and displacement, emphasizing the erosion of dignity in the face of systemic injustice.

- Steinbeck explores the theme of humanity's interconnectedness, arguing that the degradation of one individual affects the collective human experience.

**3. Symbolism and Allegory:**

- The title, "The Grapes of Wrath," draws from "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and serves as a symbolic representation of both anger and the resilience of the human spirit against oppression.

- Characters like Tom Joad and Jim Casy embody larger archetypes, contributing to the novel's allegorical nature and social commentary.

**4. Collective Action and Solidarity:**

- The novel advocates for collective action and solidarity as a means to combat injustice. Tom Joad's transformation from an individualistic mindset to a more communal perspective underscores this theme.

- The formation of migrant worker camps becomes a symbol of resistance and communal support against exploitative practices.

**5. Biblical Allusions:**

- Steinbeck incorporates biblical imagery and allusions, drawing parallels between the Joads' journey and the biblical exodus. This adds depth to the narrative, reinforcing the idea of endurance and hope amid adversity.

**6. Impact on Society:**

- "The Grapes of Wrath" had a significant impact on society, sparking discussions about labor rights, social justice, and the plight of the disenfranchised.

- However, it also faced criticism and censorship for its perceived socialist undertones, highlighting the controversial nature of its critique.

In essence, "The Grapes of Wrath" stands as a powerful work that goes beyond storytelling, delving into the heart of societal issues, and challenging readers to confront the harsh realities of the American experience during a tumultuous period in history.

Restoring Your Past - Photo Restoration by Grant Kemp
2月27日下午4:42 ·

Born 119 years ago today, 27th February 1902, John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. was an American author. He won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perception." He has been called "a giant of American letters," and many of his works are considered classics of Western literature.
During his writing career, he authored 27 books, including 16 novels, six non-fiction books, and two collections of short stories. He is widely known for the comic novels Tortilla Flat (1935) and Cannery Row (1945), the multi-generation epic East of Eden (1952), and the novellas Of Mice and Men (1937) and The Red Pony (1937). The Pulitzer Prize-winning The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is considered Steinbeck's masterpiece and part of the American literary canon. In the first 75 years after it was published, it sold 14 million copies.
Most of Steinbeck's work is set in central California, particularly in the Salinas Valley and the California Coast Ranges region. His works frequently explored the themes of fate and injustice, especially as applied to downtrodden or everyman protagonists.
Cup of Gold ....
Steinbeck's first novel, Cup of Gold, published in 1929, is loosely based on the life and death of privateer Henry Morgan. It centers on Morgan's assault and sacking of the city of Panama, sometimes referred to as the 'Cup of Gold', and on the women, fairer than the sun, who were said to be found there.
Tortilla Flat .....
Steinbeck achieved his first critical success with Tortilla Flat (1935), a novel set in post-war Monterey, California, that won the California Commonwealth Club's Gold Medal. It portrays the adventures of a group of classless and usually homeless young men in Monterey after World War I, just before U.S. prohibition.
Of Mice and Men ....
The drama about the dreams of two migrant agricultural laborers in California. It was critically acclaimed and Steinbeck's 1962 Nobel Prize citation called it a "little masterpiece". Its stage production was a hit, starring Wallace Ford as George and Broderick Crawford as George's companion, the mentally childlike, but physically powerful itinerant farmhand Lennie. Steinbeck refused to travel from his home in California to attend any performance of the play during its New York run, telling director George S. Kaufman that the play as it existed in his own mind was "perfect" and that anything presented on stage would only be a disappointment.
The Grapes of Wrath ....
Steinbeck followed this wave of success with The Grapes of Wrath (1939), based on newspaper articles about migrant agricultural workers that he had written in San Francisco. It is commonly considered his greatest work. According to The New York Times, it was the best-selling book of 1939 and 430,000 copies had been printed by February 1940. In that month, it won the National Book Award, favorite fiction book of 1939, voted by members of the American Booksellers Association. Later that year, it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and was adapted as a film directed by John Ford, starring Henry Fonda as Tom Joad; Fonda was nominated for the best actor Academy Award.
John Steinbeck died in New York City on December 20, 1968, of heart disease and congestive heart failure. The day after Steinbeck's death in New York City, reviewer Charles Poore wrote in The New York Times: "John Steinbeck's first great book was his last great book. But Good Lord, what a book that was and is: The Grapes of Wrath."
This is my colourised version of a darkly toned portrait taken in 1935, by Sonya Noskowiak, but I have posted the original untouched image within the comments.

吳魯芹的「餘年集」台北：洪範，1982
上一代的文人寫文章，引文都太長......



訪史坦貝克故居
大讚蔬菜湯 (只提供此)......
現在，無法維持此清一色菜湯啦.......
http://steinbeckhouse.com/

John Steinbeck’s birthplace and boyhood home is a restored Queen Anne style Victorian built in 1897.  The Steinbeck family purchased the home in 1900 and raised their family there.  It was purchased by The Valley Guild in 1973.  It is now a charming restaurant serving lunch Tuesday through Saturday located two blocks west of the National Steinbeck Center at 132 Central Avenue in Salinas and also features a gift shop, The Best Cellar.

The Valley Guild was formed by eight enthusiastic women who shared a common interest in gourmet cooking and wanted to showcase the Salinas Valley produce.  The Valley Guild renovated and restored the house after purchasing it.  It was opened to the public as a restaurant on February 27, 1974 – the 72nd anniversary of John Steinbeck’s birth.

Featured Menu Items

• Lemon Bundt CakeWith locally grown fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
• Chicken Apple BrieLarge salad with grilled chicken breast, apples and Brie cheese. Served with basil vinaigrette.
• Chicken BundlesChicken breast, tarragon cream sauce wrapped in philo dough and baked to a golden brown. Served with rice and vegetables.

剛讀點吳魯芹的「餘年集」，有點不習慣，因為他談的是花甲之年退休的成就。現在，須推出「九十幾」的，談悔，談憾，才有點說服力，才容易心服。
不過，「愛」人這回事，與年歲無關。永遠都不要怕說出我愛你。

Medium

12 小時 · 

"When I asked one person, 'Do you wish you accomplished more?' He responded, 'No, I wished I loved more.'"

MEDIUM.COM

What Do 90-Somethings Regret Most? – Youth, Now – Medium

A popular theory about happiness claims we experience it most in youth and old age, with a dip in the middle for "middle-age-misery." My interviews with 90-somethings paint a very different picture.