Steinbeck, anyone?

[hopeingod]

The dissatisfaction of the upcoming generation has forever been the norm. It's nothing new. Look at the fads today. It is easy to see the great attraction to tatoos, piercings and self-mutilation. It represents a call, even a scream, but for what? I think there exists a desire to be released from the normal and a deep yearning for ritual and coming-of-age rites, all of which can be found within traditional Christianity -- which, unfortunately today, is being assaulted. More and more are atheists making accusations and broad statements against what once was considered absolute truth. And so, there is this taking on of new rituals to satisfy the loss of baptism and confirmation.

[anomalocaris]

Wow... you really do need to become a Dougie Maclean fan. Every time you post, it reminds me of another of his songs. This time "Rite of Passage," which talks about exactly that, minus the Christian element, but the idea that every culture once had a rite of passage to adulthood and that without it, you end up with sort of lost generations who never are sure when to step into an adult role.

I confess, I don't see it as a Christian issue, per se. There are lots of forms of the rite of passage, many of them predating Christianity, and in most cultures it happens when a person comes of age, not when they choose to be baptized. But certainly, within the context of Christianity, baptism is a distinct rite of passage.

[hopeingod]

You're not familiar, perhaps, with the stability this nation experienced during the Second World War, and how it was shaped. What tended to strengthen our men in harm's way? What did FDR say to the nation and men as they headed for Normandy to experience the horrors of D-Day? Certainly something you won't hear today. It can be read here: http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/odddayp.html

[anomalocaris]

No worries. I'm not knocking your religion. I have friends who have been tortured in internment camps over religious and political freedoms, so I'm a strong believer in everyone having the freedom to believe and worship as they choose, as long as it's not being used to hurt others or to compel them to conform to the same beliefs. A lot of studies do show that religious beliefs (of any sort) can be beneficial in helping individuals to deal with trauma and I have no doubt that's the case.

We are kinda wandering a bit from Steinbeck, though.

[David Dawson]

A very long way from Steinbeck given he wrote: "Now finally, I am not religious so that I have no apprehension of a hereafter, either a hope or reward or a fear of punishment. It is not a matter of belief. It is what I feel to be true from my experience, observation, and simple tissue feeling."

[anomalocaris]

THUMP! There... now we're back on the tracks! Thanks, David

[David Dawson]

To actually contribute to the Steinbeck conversation: I read Of Mice and Men at school (I think something like 85% of people in the UK do) and really enjoyed it, may have been the first time I cried reading. But then went straight on to Grapes of Wrath and found it quite hard-going, but that was quite a long time ago so perhaps I ought to give it another go at some point. (As ever with my "to read" list, in the time it takes me to read one book I've thought of three more I want/ need to read).

[anomalocaris]

If you're in the UK, I wonder if you may have struggled with a slight language barrier. As I recall, Steinbeck really amps up the dialect in Grapes of Wrath. Might have been a bit like the average American teen struggling to make sense of rhyming slang, or a heavy, old-style Yorkshire dialect.

[DATo]

Steinbeck is difficult to read for many people because his stories are often very depressing. Not that I like to read depressing stories necessarily but I find it refreshing to experience, particularly in the period Steinbeck wrote, the other side of the 'Happy Ending' option.

One short story which departs from Steinbeck's usual cycle is Saint Katy The Virgin. This is an extremely FUNNY and sarcastic piece which takes aim at the Roman Catholic Church during a setting which may perhaps be the Middle Ages.

I encourage you to find and read it to see the flip side of Steinbeck. It involves the elevation of what used to be an evil pig to the status of sainthood. As I said, it is a short story which does not take long to read but is well worth the effort. Having been raised in Roman Catholicism I could readily appreciate the humor but even if the reader has not had this upbringing the hilarity of this piece will not go unappreciated.

[anomalocaris]

You know, I think you may be right about the depressing thing. I just don't like living in his world. It was always kind of dark and dingy. The people were always a little creepy. But I loved his Acts of King Arthur, which took place in a "cleaner" world with people I didn't mind hanging out with. Is that really snobbish of me? I think it might be.

[David Dawson]

If you're in the UK, I wonder if you may have struggled with a slight language barrier. As I recall, Steinbeck really amps up the dialect in Grapes of Wrath. Might have been a bit like the average American teen struggling to make sense of rhyming slang, or a heavy, old-style Yorkshire dialect.

Maybe. Another reason to give it another go at some point...

[hedda gabler 46]

I do remember reading Steinbeck's East Of Eden and it was just grand .There was another novella in which he outlines the German occupation of a small French town in WWII.i was young but I got a very strong feel of the hatred the villagers felt for the Germans and how the Germans suffered, even though they had the upper hand ,militarily but not psychologically.Cant remember the title but it did have Moon in it. Somehow I've always liked Steinbeck's prose writings more than his fiction. He is profound but so human and sweet at the same time... I've only seen the Grapes of Wrath on TCM with Henry Fonda was it?directed by John Ford and apparently a big deal when it first showed on screen. Somehow Grapes is very American ,deeply engaging with the American Consciousness and the economic divide that the American people were struggling with. So its a bit of a job really empathisisng with the experiences that occured long ago and in far off America and there's such a strong earthy yankee flavour to it that makes me long for Hardy's Yorkshire yokels and the regional accents which are like comfort food like cornish pasty or summink

[CrescentMoon]

I can't even begin to describe how much I love East of Eden. It is one of my all-time favorite books. My favorite character is Cal and my heart broke for him so many times during the book. It's so well written and the characters are so complex and interesting and I get so many emotions reading it.

[casper]

I have read a few of Steinbeck's books and really enjoyed them. My favourite is East of Eden which I've reread several times over the years. I recently gave my copy to my son, who had to read Of Mice And Men at school and really didn't enjoy it, however his reading tastes have changed over ten years and now he's thirsty for more. I also liked Cannery Row and Grapes of Wrath, they really brought home the struggles people went through. I watched an interesting programme on Steinbeck, how he turned away from his own background to give voice to what he saw happening around him.

[laureng]

I read Of Mice and Men in high school and didn't like it at all. A few years later in college I read Grapes of Wrath and then East of Eden. Now Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to read more of his books.