The Winter Of Our Discontent

What is the central conflict between Ethan and his wife Mary? How is this conflict resolved? What does this conflict reveal about relationships and people in general?

How does Ethan’s first-person narrative guide the reader through Steinbeck’s exploration of philosophy and morality? Use three examples from the text to support your analysis.

In your opinion, does Ethan’s third-person narrative create a barrier between the reader and text in the novel? In what ways does Ethan’s perspective make him an unreliable narrator?

Unlike many of Steinbeck’s other works, this novel takes place in New York. How does the setting contribute to Steinbeck’s messages about legacy, moral relativism, and human development?

What role does Margie play in this novel? Why does Steinbeck switch to an omniscient narrator to reveal Margie’s story?

What lessons about masculinity and greed does Ethan learn from secondary characters, such as Mr. Baker and Danny? Why are these characters important to Ethan’s development and/or Steinbeck’s development of these themes?

What does the town’s attitude towards Mr. Marullo reveal about American perceptions about non-Anglo-Saxon immigrants? Does Steinbeck support or challenge these ideas? Explain your reasoning.

If the investigator had not interrupted Ethan’s plan to rob the bank, do you think he would have been successful? Support your answer with evidence from the text.