Major Themes theory of Winter of our Discontent

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In the novel by John Steinbeck The Winter of our Discontent there are numerous ways one can relate Ethan’s life to the major themes theory. Throughout the novel Ethan is in a moral struggle to decide whether or not he should try and get ahead at any means possible, or remain in his menial grocery clerk job. His compassionate ways are actually holding him back financially, because he is surrounded by ruthless corporate men that will not think twice about attacking someone else for their financial self-interest.
The first step of the book explains how Ethan is in an economic problem after his father lost all of the family fortune. It doesn’t say exactly how this happened, but it basically sent the Hawley family into financial turmoil and Ethan is forced into being a grocery clerk at the store his family used to own. At the beginning of the book Ethan explains how he dreads going to work every day and how unfair his life really was. The Hawley family used to essentially own most of New Baytown and he would walk up High street looking at the historical stores and harbors that his family used to run. Ethan actually started off uninterested in obtaining more money because he believes that money just creates more problems. Contradictory to Ethan, Mary and the children cannot stand being poor because they are more engrossed in materialistic needs. One potent quote by Ethan is said when Mary tries to get Ethan to make a plan to obtain wealth. As Mary talks about wealth Ethan says, “Do you want money enough so that even necromancy, thaumaturgy, juju, or any other dark practices are justified?” (Steinbeck 34). This quote shows how modest Ethan’s beliefs are about money. One astounding event that happens is Ethan is offered an inside deal t...

... middle of paper ...

...eader with the final decision as to how the story really ends.
Overall, The Winter of Our Discontent shows us many ways to relate Ethan’s life to the major themes theory. Basically, Ethan had a financial issue, he found a couple solution by robbing a bank and getting the will to Danny’s house, and the effect was he was extremely depressed. Steinbeck wrote this book to explain the natural occurrence of human corruption and at the end gives a somewhat happy ending by letting the reader have hope that Ethan lives.

Works Cited

James. "Search Results For: Winter of Our Discontent." Steinbeck Now. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2014. .
Steinbeck, John. The Winter of Our Discontent. New York: Penguin, 2008. Print.
"THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT." Bulletin from Virginia Kirkus' Service (1961)ProQuest. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.

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