The Winter Of Our Discontent Steinbeck Analysis

In The Winter of our Discontent by John Steinbeck, Steinbeck discusses what the American dream meant for families in the 1960s. There are a few things involved in defining the American dream such as being happily married, having children, having a nice house of your own, and making a decent amount of money. Virtue, honesty, loyalty and equality. These elements represent values that exist in American society. However, these morals are undermined as Americans become more concerned with material wealth, than with the well-being of others. John Steinbeck's The Winter of Our Discontent examines the negative aspects of America's cash-crazed society, and how the acquisition of wealth does not always lead to happiness.

Ethan Allen Hawley, a man of moral convictions, finds he is caught

between a past of manners and respect, and a future dominated by individualism and greed. Though he exhibits the "the old-world charm" (Steinbeck 39) of being decent and honest, he stands out in a society where corruption is normal and accepted.

In his hometown, money grubbers such as Mr. Baker now walk the streets of a place once dominated by noble Aunt Deborahs and old Capn's. Although he hates to admit it, Ethan notices that the people of New Baytown are more interested in earning money than the well-being of each other. As he sees with the treatment of the once prominent Danny Taylor, people reject those who do not comply with society's standards for wealth. Fearing that he too will be tossed aside, Ethan mutters the rhetoric of Shakespeare; that "now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this son of York" (Steinbeck 157). The phrase “winter of our discontent” is a metaphor used to describe sadness. Ethan speaks about a winter of discontent because he feels the jaws of a dishonest society attempting to eat away at his core values, that is honesty and integrity. When his employer, Alfio Marullo, attempts to get Ethan to save money at the expense of customers, Ethan claims he does not chisel people just to earn a profit. Marullo explains that exploiting customers is good business, for

"good business is the only kind...that stays in business" (Steinbeck 21). Marullo believes that "business is money" and that "money is not friendly" (Steinbeck 23), to people who actually care for the customers' well-being. His immoral business skills are representative of society's new value set. Ethan fights against these new values by refusing to comply with Marullo's wishes. But even though he tries to, Ethan cannot escape, even in the comfort of his own home. His restless wife and children pine for the comforts of wealth and luxury, which Ethan's meager salary cannot provide. He reminds his family that "money does not change the sickness, only the symptoms" (Steinbeck 101) and that only "money gets money" (Steinbeck 144). Sadly, he cannot convince them that possessing more wealth will only increase their desire for it, and they continue to ask when he will be rich. When Ethan assumes that his family's happiness depends on acquiring wealth, he forsakes his honest ways in order to make this happen. He does not suspect that this action will bring about a winter of discontent.
In attempting to conform to society's new moral values, Ethan becomes even more miserable. He "trade[s] a habit of conduct and attitude for comfort and dignity" (Steinbeck 200) in order to restore his family name, but in the process he becomes disgusted with himself. After selling out Marullo to the immigration center, "the wave of ill-disguised stomachs closed in again" bringing with it a sense of desolation (Steinbeck 226). After learning that Marullo viewed him as a good person Ethan is riddled with guilt, and the money he now holds seems meaningless. Likewise, when he betrays Danny Taylor in order to gain an enormous fortune, Ethan is constantly haunted by guilt; one that cannot be relieved with the comforts of money. As much as he attempts to mold to society's new set of values, he is unable to leave his traditionalist ways behind. Ethan sees that his decisions lead him through "a minefield of truth" (Steinbeck 231); one which points out how he has ruined others' lives in order to make himself rich. Disgusted, Ethan tries to rid himself from the false allure of wealth, and the bitter aftertaste that is left behind when he learns that it is impossible to stop desiring it. After finding out that his son Allen engages in plagiarism, Ethan cannot believe that his prodigy would follow such immoral practices. When confronted, Allen does not feel ashamed because he thinks it is normal to cheat and deceive people to get what he wants. He realizes that the kids have fallen under society's immoral spell, and Ethan decides that he will rid himself of his guilty feelings by taking his own life. It is Ethan's hope that one virtuous person might make all the difference in a society gone wrong.
Reloy Garcia, who wrote A Study Guide to Steinbeck (Part II), did not like the novel at first because he thought it was “somewhat thin” (Garcia). After the Watergate Scandal occurred, his views changed now strikes me as a deeply penetrating study of the American condition. I did not realize, at the time, that we had a condition," and he attributes this change of heart to "our own enriched experience"

Steinbeck writes about how Americans of the 1960's have driven themselves into a winter of discontent because of their endless greed, and lessening of moral values. The higher class of American society concern themselves with physical looks alone, while old values such as honesty and respect have fallen by the wayside. But although The Winter of Our Discontent preaches about the problems of society, Ethan ultimately overcomes his initial disgust with the lessening of moral values, and is saved by his daughter's love. This is Steinbeck's hope that Americans can one day reverse the plague of greed and dishonesty that appears to have become the norm of society today.