Tortilla Flat part 3

Though the last section of Tortilla Flat deals with suffering from monotony in Monterey, it too provides its readers with a broader view of the paisano lifestyle. Again, this section includes the typical oppression described in “Steinbeckean” societal lessons; however, it is a surprise to see that Steinbeck cleverly incorporates some humorous aspects within them. Finally, but sadly, there are no new additions to the flat that enrich the eccentricity of the group’s actions and reasons for their adventures. In the last sections, I agree with some of critics’ viewpoints that resemble the loyalty within this group of paisanos to the knights in King Arthur’s court. The tragedy that ends the novel allows the band of brothers to realize the significance of responsibility that forces them to discard a life of ruthless behavior and indulgences. I believe Steinbeck’s intended message that he is trying to convey pertains to a man’s legacy and how he should be remembered.

The stories in Monterey that Danny reminisces are very sad, but have minor additions that completely transform their mood that typically results in a laugh. As expressed in my earlier blog entries, I again believe this book does not have the characteristics of a typical Steinbeck novel. The reader cannot feel bad for the band of brother’s misdeeds because most of their actions can be attributed to alcoholic influences. Danny narrates the stories to his friends in hopes of easing his mood because he misses his previous lifestyle that was free of burden. His story-telling instigates a series of short anecdotes from his friends Pablo and Jesus Maria. The subject within these stories involves the mishaps of attempting to fake a suicide to gain the attention from society or to improve self-image. Though the subject is very serious, the tone in which the characters choose their words subtly further amplifies a chilling dark humor effect. For example, in the tale of Petey Ravanno, he fell in love with a temptress, but she rejected his marriage proposal. Feeling dejected, Ravanno tried to hang himself but was saved. The temptress realized how cruel she had been and decided to marry him. Seeing how successful Petey had been, his father wanted to replicate his son’s fake suicide ploy with the temptress’s sister. However, he died because the people he had hoped would save him took a different route.

At the end of the novel, Danny becomes depressed because he misses his old lifestyle. As a result, he goes on a ruthless crime spree and vandalizes, steals, fights, and has many indiscriminate affairs with women all over Monterey. His loyal friends realize that Danny is destroying himself and take the initiatives to help their paisano (comrade) by throwing him a memorable party. They hope that this party will restore Danny’s rationality so he does not appear to have acted as a miscreant in Monterey. The group’s true friendship finally emerges when his friends slowly set aside their drinking habits to galvanize the support from the whole town and earn enough income through legitimate work to host a party for their lost friend.

Danny becomes a legend from that night of revelry. Because of his friends, his behavior has changed, which, in turn, changes the way people will remember him. Although he had died from a tragic suicide because alcohol impaired his rationality, his legacy constantly reverberates throughout Monterey. I think the group’s decision to let the house burn down is reasoned to prevent another person from leaving a better image and legacy than Danny’s in Monterey. Their separation also symbolizes their loyalty and respect to Danny, in that none of them will become the leader like Danny.

I enjoyed reading this Steinbeck novel that casts a different tone while incorporating few of the traditional Steinbeck elements in the Tortilla Flat. Unlike other Steinbeck novels, I am surprised that it is still interesting to read about the paisanos’ adventures instead of them struggling to live happily. In short, I still feel as if I still received Steinbeck’s intended message of Danny’s legacy that he left behind for his paisanos to revere. (683)