Modernism, Naturalism, and Realism: The Literary Movements of Steinbeck's Works

According to many articles written on Steinbeck, he did not wish to identify with any literary movement. He often brought many characteristics of various literary movements into his novels. However, his writings came right at the end of Modernism’s climax and tend to often primarily include many styles of Modernism, while also incorporating some elements of Naturalism and Realism. Characteristics of Modernism that appear in Steinbeck’s writings include stylistic innovations in both his use of language and syntax in many of his novels. Also, Steinbeck follows Modernism in challenging tradition and not using patterned responses or predictable forms. His novels all depict elements of Realism in that they all attempt a truthful representation of reality that not many authors were willing to depict in writing. Steinbeck often wrote about the difficulties of the Great Depression, especially for farmers and rural workers. Grapes of Wrath classifies as Steinbeck’s most obvious use of Naturalism in a work. This novel is an example of a classic social protest novel. He uses Modernism in this novel by his use of experimentation with form and language, much like the works of famous Modern writers such as Joycean and Faulkner. Of Mice and Men is also a novel that contains Modernism and Realism. It is the story of Lennie and George, two farmers displaced during the Great Depression. Once again, Steinbeck’s writing focuses on the realistic lives that many people were living at this time, not leaving out any of the tragic details that came with being a farmer in this time period. Steinbeck achieved success during the peak of Modernism, following many famous writers that were the cornerstone of Modernism as a movement. He takes his writing further into encompassing two sects of Modernism, Naturalism and Realism, into his works.

Works Cited:

Bolton, Matthew J.. "A Minstrel and a Scrivener: Steinbeck, the Protest Novel, and Modernism." Critical insights. Salem Press, Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://salempress.com/Store/pdfs/grapes_critical_insights.pdf>.

Freitag, Florian. "Naturalism In Its Natural Environment?: American Naturalism And The Farm Novel." Studies In American Naturalism 4.2 (2009): 97-118. Academic Search Premier. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.

Millichap, Joseph R. "John Steinbeck." Research Guide To Biography & Criticism 2.(1985): 1115-1118. Book Collection Nonfiction: High School Edition. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.

Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 7: Early Twentieth Century: American Modernism - An Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. URL: http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/chap7/7intro.html (provide page date or date of your login).