tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146183364287787287.post227014624925316849..comments2024-01-24T23:01:01.168+10:00Comments on Painting Fakes: Steinbeck's Despair and HopeJonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11272544252649766985noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146183364287787287.post-11391766052689696412010-01-13T23:06:51.490+10:002010-01-13T23:06:51.490+10:00Well now, we must both be cautious that we do not ...Well now, we must both be cautious that we do not degrade Steinbeck's artistry, either by making it a one-dimensional moral tale or just a convenient vehicle for flogging an ideology. I first read <i>The Pearl </i> as an eleven year old and was deeply moved - not until I was older did I realise any significance to poverty globally. But the beauty of the books is in the characters (well, and in the expression as well). <br /><br />I think many of Steinbeck's characters are lost souls and I dare say looking for saviours in the hands of God or socialism was a motivation for many of them. But the nice thing is the contradictions of the saving - the religious fervour is indistinguishable from the sexual fervour which it is meant to repudiate, the salvation from poverty is steeped in despair and sadness and the promised land, though full of potential and wealth, is not conquered by a convenient blowing of a trumpet or handed to the chosen by a benevolent sky-spirit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146183364287787287.post-18261423049148902442010-01-06T07:41:50.992+10:002010-01-06T07:41:50.992+10:00Well now, of course the Pearl is a reference to Je...Well now, of course the Pearl is a reference to Jesus' parable, but it's an ironic one. Kino has to give up everything to keep the pearl - his home, boat, child - but the pearl gives him nothing in return. And "God", the invisible master of the pearl buyers (ie capitalism), blocks his way to happiness.<br /><br />It's the same in Grapes of Wrath, the title being an ironic reference to The Battle Hymn of the Republic, but the Grapes of Wrath are being stored in poor people, and preparing to be trampled by the unions. I don't remember the details of the Preacher's faith very well, except that after he'd preached a sermon he'd head out to the fields with one of the young girls - but that's all over by the start of the story, and he's a lost soul, only to revive when he discovers faith in socialism (although Steinbeck doesn't put it so crudely) and becomes a union leader. However, I don't think it's coincidence that he dies for the cause and that his death inspires Tom to fight in his place.<br /><br />Steinbeck knew his bible well and wasn't afraid to use it against both orthodox religion and capitalist oppression!Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11272544252649766985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146183364287787287.post-15499788457870854182010-01-05T09:13:35.373+10:002010-01-05T09:13:35.373+10:00Jon, I love the section of "Grapes of Wrath&q...Jon, I love the section of "Grapes of Wrath" which describes the turtle. It is so poetic, yet so simple. Steinbeck is far and beyond the best English novelist of all time.<br /><br />Both <i>The Pearl</i> and <i>Grapes of Wrath</i> reflect Steinbeck's Marxist views that culture is built on economic status. I'm not sure I share your interpretation of them as having a religious symbolic meaning, however. <br /><br />I love (in <i>Grapes of Wrath</i>) how the preacher has such a pragmatic premise for his religion. I'm sure lots of Christians go to church to check out the mating landscape - that heaving chest of the lady singing out the front.<br /><br />Let's not get too serious about our religion, hey. After all, its just a cultural artefact born of our economic status and the accident of where we were born.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com