Point of View

The story is told primarily in the third person omniscient perspective, which means that an unknown narrator is telling the story and sometimes lets the readers into the thoughts and feelings of certain characters. The author gives details about settings and events as though narrating but will interject personal thoughts from the characters, especially Samuel, Cathy and Cal. These personal thoughts are not available or known to any other characters, which make them private and let only the reader in on the true thoughts and feelings. Steinbeck also slips into first persona narrative perspective and interjects personal opinions on events, circumstances, and the human condition in general. It is not until the book is well underway that Steinbeck names himself as the narrator by being the son of Olive Hamilton, one of Samuel's children. From this point forward, the reader understands that the story is semi-autobiographical...