I have realized that Tortilla Flat is about Danny’s house that seals the relationships for a band of brothers. It is almost like a reality show in which people are forced to live with each other; however, the characters within the flat are more genuine and amicable. Danny is not only a friendly, but also a very selfless character. He cares very much about his friends because he would not have what he has had his friends not been there for him. At times it seems like his friends are freeloading on him by inviting their new guests to his house; however, Danny cannot bear to kick them out of the house for each new character brings an eccentric aspect to their friendship. I am not even kidding, but almost every other chapter brings a new character to the house. For example, Pilon found his friend Jesus drunk on the beach and courteously offered him residence at the house for compensation because he is determined to pay off the rent. Two chapters later, the most bizarre character is introduced to the Tortilla Flat. This character, the Pirate, lives a Spartan lifestyle (poorly dressed and lives with his dogs in a chicken house), yet his wealth possibly surpasses $200. Sadly, he is offered residency to the flat because Pilon wants to scam him of his money.
This week’s update in Tortilla Flat finally reveals the traditional “Steinbeckean” viewpoint in his address to society that is typically intertwined in nearly all of his novels. I dread for characters to suffer in the novel; however, it is interesting how realistically Steinbeck is able to incorporate natural tendencies, behavior, and emotions that transcend typical human reactions into words. This week’s dramatic scene may stir as much emotion and may be as memorable as the final scene in The Grapes of Wrath that involves Rose trying to save a dying father with her breast milk who had sacrificed his portions of food for his son. It is a similar fashion, in which the group of paisanos in Tortilla Flat tries to save a baby from death. It eases the mind that they are not just sloth men, who normally indulge in wine and scam people. They finally show their true, inherent human instincts and kindness as they invite the Mexican corporal and his sick baby to their flat. For example, Big Joe and Pablo, who earlier were arrested for being drunk and ruthless, set aside their drinking indulgences to build the baby a crib to make their scanty environment more bearable for the sick child. Sadly, the men tried their best and provided all they possessed; however, the baby died. Steinbeck’s intention of implementing the father’s sincerity and his story into that chapter is to invite our sympathy. The father’s acceptance of the baby’s death further depresses us, as we understand that all he wanted was for his son, “…Manuel to have more good things than I had.”
Thus far, I am concluding that Tortilla Flat is about the characters that live within the house. The house acts as a collection of short stories from its characters that help create a vivid description of a paisano lifestyle and struggle in Monterey. (536)
Sources
“Tortilla Flat”: The Shape of John Steinbeck’s Carrer by Howard Levant. MLA (Jstor)
The Conflict of Form in Tortilla Flat by Stanley Alexander. Duke University Press (Jstor)
1 comment:
Richard--good post, and a solid list of articles to look at. Let me know when you have decided on a focus for the paper. Meanwhile, good luck developing your idea that the house itself functions sort of like a character.
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