Summary
John Steinbeck's final novel, The Winter of Our Discontent, published in 1961, is a powerful exploration of moral decay in mid-20th century America. Set in Long Island, New York, it marks Steinbeck's only work to take place entirely on the East Coast. The novel's protagonist, Ethan Allen Hawley, grapples with societal pressures and personal integrity in a corrupt world. The book's title, drawn from Shakespeare's Richard III, alludes to the spiritual crisis at the heart of the narrative. Steinbeck's masterful prose and keen insights into the American condition earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962, with the committee specifically praising this work as a return to his earlier, socially conscious themes.
Plot
Set at the dawn of the 1960s in an old whaling town on New York’s Long Island, The Winter of Our Discontent follows Ethan Allen Hawley, a former member of the local aristocracy now resigned to working as a clerk in the grocery store his family onced owned. Ethan’s family resents their reduced social and economic status, pressuring him to reclaim their former wealth and standing. Influenced by his wife's dissatisfaction, his children's materialistic desires, and the corrupt attitudes of those around him, Ethan begins to question his long-held principles of honesty and integrity.
Faced with mounting pressure, Ethan decides to abandon his moral standards. He anonymously reports the grocery store owner, an Italian immigrant named Alfio Marullo, to immigration authorities, suspecting he may be in the country illegally. When Marullo is taken into custody, he transfers ownership of the store to Ethan, believing him to be honest and deserving. Ethan also manipulates his alcoholic friend Danny Taylor into drinking himself to death, ensuring Danny leaves him a valuable piece of land in his will.
As Ethan becomes increasingly entangled in the town's corrupt dealings, he grapples with his conscience. He plans and mentally rehearses a bank robbery but fails to follow through. Meanwhile, Ethan learns that his son has won an essay contest by plagiarizing classic American authors. When confronted, his son shows no remorse, arguing that everyone cheats and lies to get ahead.
Overwhelmed by guilt and disillusionment, Ethan contemplates suicide. As he prepares to end his life, he discovers a family talisman his daughter had slipped into his pocket. This unexpected reminder of his family's love and trust causes Ethan to reconsider his actions. As the tide rises around him, he struggles to escape and return the talisman to his daughter, leaving the novel's conclusion open to interpretation.
Themes
Moral decay in American society
Conflict between integrity and ambition
Influence of societal pressure on individual choices
Loss of social status and its psychological impact
Corrupting nature of power and wealth
Intergenerational differences in values and ethics
Struggle between maintaining principles and achieving success
Setting
Set in the early 1960s, The Winter of Our Discontent takes place against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America. The post-war economic boom has created new opportunities and shifting social dynamics, while traditional values and morals are being challenged. Steinbeck uses this era of transition to explore themes of corruption, materialism, and the erosion of ethical standards.
The novel is primarily set in New Baytown, a fictional town on Long Island, New York. This East Coast setting marks a departure for Steinbeck, who typically set his stories in California. New Baytown serves as a microcosm of American society, with its mix of old money families, immigrants, and working-class residents all navigating the changing social landscape.
Within New Baytown, much of the action revolves around specific locations that highlight the protagonist's changing circumstances. The grocery store where Ethan works symbolizes his fall from affluence, while the bank represents the temptation of wealth and power. The town's waterfront areas, including the harbor where Ethan contemplates suicide, provide a stark natural contrast to the human-driven conflicts of the story.
Characters
Ethan Allen Hawley: The protagonist. A former member of Long Island aristocracy, Ethan works as a clerk in the grocery store his family once owned. Faced with financial pressures and resentment at home, he gradually abandons his moral principles to reclaim his former status and wealth. Ethan's internal conflict and eventual moral decay drive the novel.
Mary Hawley: Ethan's wife, who is dissatisfied with their current social and economic status. Her discontent and desire for material comforts contribute to Ethan's decision to compromise his ethics. Mary's character represents the societal pressure for financial success and social standing.
Allen and Ellen Hawley: Ethan and Mary's teenage children who are hungry for material comforts their father cannot provide. Their attitudes reflect the changing values of the younger generation and further influence Ethan's moral choices.
Alfio Marullo: The Italian immigrant owner of the grocery store where Ethan works. Marullo becomes a victim of Ethan's scheming when he is reported to immigration authorities. His character highlights themes of immigration and the American Dream.
Mr. Baker: The local banker who encourages Ethan to be more ruthless in his pursuit of wealth. Baker represents the corrupt business practices and materialistic values prevalent in the community.
Margie Young-Hunt: A seductress and friend of Mary who urges Ethan to accept bribes. Her character embodies temptation and moral compromise.
Joey Morphy: A bank teller friend of Ethan who provides insight into robbing a bank. Joey represents the normalization of dishonesty and criminal behavior for financial gain.
Danny Taylor: The town drunk and Ethan's childhood friend. Danny's tragic fate, manipulated by Ethan for personal gain, serves as a stark example of Ethan's moral decline.
Quick facts
The Winter of Our Discontent was John Steinbeck's last completed novel, published in 1961.
The title comes from the opening lines of Shakespeare's play Richard III.
The Winter of Our Discontent is Steinbeck's only novel set entirely on the East Coast of the United States.
The novel uses an unusual mix of first-person and third-person narration.
Steinbeck wrote the novel to address what he saw as moral decay in early 60s America.
Steinbeck completed the manuscript in just four months.
The protagonist, Ethan Hawley, works as a clerk in a store his family once owned.
The Winter of Our Discontent was instrumental in Steinbeck’s winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962.
In 1983, the novel was adapted into a Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie, starring Donald Sutherland as Ethan Hawley.
About the Author
John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was one of America's most celebrated authors, known for his vivid portrayals of Depression-era California and the struggles of working-class people. Born in Salinas, California, Steinbeck drew inspiration from the migrant workers and diverse cultures of his home state. He achieved his first major success with Tortilla Flat in 1935, followed by his Dust Bowl trilogy: In Dubious Battle, Of Mice and Men, and his masterpiece, The Grapes of Wrath.
Steinbeck's writing often explored themes of injustice, the plight of the common person, and humanity's relationship with nature. His 1945 novel Cannery Row depicted the colorful inhabitants of Monterey's sardine canning district, while East of Eden (1952) retold the Biblical story of Cain and Abel set in the Salinas Valley. Though primarily known as a novelist, Steinbeck also worked as a war correspondent during World War II and later traveled across America, chronicling his journey in Travels with Charley (1962).
In 1962, Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature “for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception.” His books remain widely read and studied, with several adapted into successful films. Though he faced government harassment due to his left-leaning political views, Steinbeck remained committed to social justice throughout his life. Today, his legacy is preserved through the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas and his childhood home, which has been restored as a museum. Steinbeck's impact on American literature and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience ensure his place as one of the 20th century's most influential writers.
