An anthology of critical essays that provide literary analysis and criticism of John Steinbeck's works along with a biography of the literary figure.

John Steinbeck : a biography -- How six short novels came to be / John Steinbeck -- John Steinbeck's authentic characters / Joseph Warren Beach -- John Steinbeck's naturalism / Charles Child Walcutt -- Escape and commitment in John Steinbeck's heroes / Peter Lisca -- John Steinbeck : a successful failure / R.W.B. Lewis -- John Steinbeck's Paisano knights / Charles R. Metzger -- John Steinbeck's myth of manhood / Dan Vogel -- John Steinbeck's mature style in The red pony / Harry Thornton Moore -- Oneness and mysticism in The red pony / Arnold L. Goldsmith -- Jody's growing awareness in The red pony / Warren French -- The allegory of The pearl / Harry Morris -- The parable of The pearl / Howard Levant -- Symbolic creatures in The pearl / Martha Heasley Cox -- Attitudes toward the poor in Of mice and men / Edwin Berry Burgum -- Patterns that make meaning in Of mice and men / Peter Lisca -- Of mice and men : a knight dismounted and a dream ended / Warren French -- Christian symbolism in The grapes of wrath / Martin Shockley -- Artistic and thematic structure in The grapes of wrath / J.P. Hunter -- Indestructible women in The grapes of wrath / Mimi Reisel Gladstein -- John Steinbeck's call to conversion in The grapes of wrath / Stephen Railton -- John Steinbeck awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature / Carl E. Rallyson, Jr.