John Steinbeck’s Phalanx Theory: A Study of the Dichotomous Relationship Between the Needs of the Individual and Those of society in Depression-Era America

Author (Your Name)

Heather Skye Stewart, Colby College

Date of Award

1994

Document Type

Honors Thesis (Colby Access Only)

Department

Colby College. English Dept.

Advisor(s)

Charles Bassett

Abstract

Throughout the works of John Steinbeck, we encounter a constant struggle between individual characters and their inherent need to belong to a larger group. While these characters attempt to retain their individuality, their surroundings either force them to conform to a group existence or destroy them. Steinbeck calls his theory concerning this group existence of man the "phalanx theory". This theory demonstrates the tacit membership of every human being in a larger group. While Steinbeck is known primarily for his literary works, it is in his biological work, completed with the help of Ed Ricketts, that this theory of group belonging becomes more clearly defined. In his The Sea of Cortez, he explains, in detail, the instinctual bonding together of virtually all organisms for survival. As I will attempt to show in this paper, it is not only the natural world that exhibits this group need, but each of Steinbeck's characters as well.

Comments

Full-text access is restricted to Colby College.

Keywords

individuality, belonging, instinct

Recommended Citation

Stewart, Heather Skye, "John Steinbeck’s Phalanx Theory: A Study of the Dichotomous Relationship Between the Needs of the Individual and Those of society in Depression-Era America" (1994). Honors Theses. Paper 1239.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/honorstheses/1239

Copyright

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