![]() ![]() As Steinbeck states at the beginning of the novel, in a message to the reader: The overriding message of the novel is that American society has lost moral strength due to materialism and greed, resulting in a society where people trample on one another to succeed. As a result of this social pressure, people become desperate and commit immoral actions as Ethan does in the novel. Ethan is also motivated by external pressures, as his wife convinces him to try and earn more money so they can enjoy a higher social status.Īs such, through Ethan's story, Steinbeck illuminates the social ills of society, where a person's worth is based on their wealth and status. The protagonist is motivated entirely by greed, power, and shame, as his ancestors previously possessed a large fortune and even owned the shop that he now works at. ![]() He also gains capital and land by abusing the trust of his friends, making him a difficult character to like. In the novel, Ethan does not rob a bank, but he considers it. The Winter of Our Discontent is a full-length novel, however, it is originally based on the author's short story How Mr. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. ![]()
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