John Steinbeck's Legacy

John Steinbeck used his writing to emphasize the importance of the rural and lower classes in the United States, and through doing so he helped shape the future of American literature. Through Steinbeck’s appeal to the lower classes, political influence, purposes for writing, realistic themes, Nobel Peace Prize, and his impact on literature, Steinbeck transformed American literature of the twentieth century. Steinbeck’s background and family led him to strive for political reforms for the working lower classes, and helped shape his legacy.
Steinbeck’s Background John’s father was a county treasurer, and his mother was a teacher according to Nobelprize.org. He had three sisters who made his childhood very interesting, and enjoyable. Although

As a man, he was an introvert and at the same time had a romantic streak, was impulsive, garrulous, a lover of jests and word play and practical jokes” (Shillinglaw). Steinbeck’s writing had an influence on political reforms due to his appeal with the lower class. Steinbeck was highly involved in politics and was not afraid for his voice or political opinions to be heard. Steinbeck’s serious intention and artistic honesty are not in question because John was a straightforward guy that always said what was on his mind, and whose intentions were always pure (Moore). The novels that Steinbeck wrote were well thought out and planned out: “He had studied and experienced the materials intensely over a period of time” (Moore). The President of the English Club said that Steinbeck was a writer and did not have any other interests or talents (Benson, 69). John’s passion for writing was seen not only in his Stanford years but throughout his whole life (Shillinglaw). John was born a writer not for the fame or glory, but for the passion. Often, he would travel around the country and stay at simple cabins or hotels showing his humility, and simplicity. This was not for positive publicity but because Steinbeck loved the outdoors and enjoyed life as an ordinary person. Steinbeck loved the outdoors, which was shown in his profound admiration for valleys in his writing. “The valley symbol undoubtedly comes out of Steinbeck's early environment, the Salinas Valley in California. It is apparent in all his writings how the shape of the land has given shape to his thoughts: this valley symbol is most truly Steinbeck's Figure in the carpet” (Moore). John’s early environment helped shape his writing and his