This study analyzes the mythic significance of John Steinbeck's The Winter of Our Discontent, its purpose being to further the work begun by such critics as Joseph Fontenrose, Donna Gerstenberger, Lester Marks, Clifford Lewis, Peter Lisca, Tetsumaro Hayashi, Robert De Mott, Donal Stone, and Douglas Verdier -- particularly on the basis of Jungian literary theory.Chapter One describes the development off historical positions which become more discerning and positive in the late 1960's. Chapter Two establishes Steinbeck's interest in myth and archetype by referring to his letters and journals, marry of which are still unpublished. Chapter Three reviews the influences of Sir James George Frazer, T. S. Eliot and interpreters of the Tarot on the novel. Chapter Four considers The Winter on the basis of the monomyth described by Joseph Campbell in his The Hero with a Thousand Faces and on Jung's process of individuation, showing how these two are related.According to these established models of the quest, Ethan Allen Hawley is indeed a quester, and, as such, is not an entirely realistic character. Steinbeck, in The Winter, is writing a modern-day romance. Steinbeck's overt didacticism and ubiquitous allusions, perhaps consequences of his analogical approach, tend at times to be clumsy. In spite of these stylistic weaknesses, Steinbeck's use of monomyth creates complexities of character and theme in The Winter of Our Discontent.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/177225 |
| Date | 03 June 2011 |
| Creators | Kasparek, Carol Ann |
| Contributors | Hayashi, Tetsumaro |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | iv, 153 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Relation | Hayashi Steinbeck Collection and Archives. |
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