Summary
Tortilla Flat, John Steinbeck's 1935 novel, marked the author's first critical and commercial success. Set in Monterey, California, the story follows a group of paisanos—descendants of Spanish settlers—in the years following World War I. Steinbeck ingeniously adapts the structure and themes of Arthurian legend, creating a shabby “Camelot” populated by colorful characters who resist the pull of conventional society.
The novel's central figure, Danny, inherits two houses and becomes a reluctant landlord to his friends. These men, portrayed as modern-day knights, value friendship and freedom over material possessions. Steinbeck's vivid prose brings to life their adventures, brawls, and wine-drinking escapades, weaving a tale both humorous and poignant.
In 1942, Tortilla Flat was adapted into a film starring Spencer Tracy, John Garfield, and Hedy Lamarr. While the movie brought Steinbeck's characters to the silver screen, it's the novel's rich narrative and exploration of camaraderie that continue to captivate readers today. Steinbeck's portrayal of this tight-knit community offers a unique perspective on American life during the interwar period.
Plot
Set in the shabby district of Tortilla Flat above Monterey, California, Tortilla Flat follows the adventures of Danny and his group of paisano friends in the years following World War I. The story begins when Danny inherits two houses from his grandfather. After a drunken stint in jail, Danny invites his friend Pilon to share one of the houses with him.
As the story unfolds, more friends join Danny's circle, including Pablo, Jesus Maria, and the Pirate, a mentally challenged man with five loyal dogs. The group engages in various escapades, often centered around procuring wine and avoiding honest work. They sublet Danny's second house, which eventually burns down, leading them all to move into Danny's remaining home.
Throughout the novel, the friends embark on misadventures that include searching for buried treasure, helping the Pirate fulfill a religious vow, and assisting a local woman named Teresina Cortez and her numerous children. They also encounter romantic entanglements, such as Danny's relationship with Sweets Ramirez, which is complicated by a vacuum cleaner scheme.
The story takes a darker turn when Danny, overwhelmed by his responsibilities, disappears into the forest. His friends organize a grand party upon his return, but Danny, in a fit of melancholy and drunkenness, challenges everyone to fight and ultimately falls to his death in a gulch. The novel concludes with Danny's funeral and his friends watching as his house accidentally catches fire, symbolizing the end of their carefree life together.
