| Summary: | 碩士 === 靜宜大學 === 外國語文研究所 === 84 === The thirties are generally acknowledged as the most successful years in
John Steinbeck's writing career; as a matter of fact, this period of American
history with all the social, economic, and natural problems no doubt offers
the best background for the writer to interpret his thought on the interaction
between human beings' existence and their environment. Through the discussion
of the idea dream, a dominant motif in Steinbeck's works, this thesis intends
to present how the writer defines human beings' position in the world and how
he gives the concept of dream significance in human experience. In my study
of The Red Pony, Of Mice and Men, and The Grapes of Wrath, I recognize that
there is a development from I, the self, to the whole in Steinbeck's thought
on the significance of dream. It is for a better life that Steinbeck dreams,
but this better life is for the progress of humanity, instead of for personal
interests. When the material dream seems to be impossible to be fulfilled in
the time of difficulties, it is the spiritual success--being able to dream,
being able to fight for dream fulfillment, being able to love others as them-
selves, and, the most important, being able to recognize themselves as part of
whole--that Steinbeck's heroes achieve. Hence, in his search for the possibi-
lity of dream fulfillment, Steinbeck has discovered hope and beauty in human
nature and human action. Moreover, with his belief in "the perfectibility of
man." John Steinbeck certainly has created a truly humane fictional world.
|
|---|
