LA: John Steinbeck and Cortez Pearls

What and when was "Of Mice and Men" published?

"Of Mice and Men" was a book that Steinbeck wanted to turn into a play. Published in 1937. It was a novella about the great depression with strong relationships between the characters.

When was "the Grapes of Wrath" published? What was special about it?

"The Grapes of Wrath" was published in 1939 and won the Pulitzer prize. It was turned into a movie in 1940.

What was Steinbeck's legacy?

He got the Nobel Prize in 1962. He published 27 books.

What happened in 1519?

Hernán Cortez led the Spanish exploration of Mexico.

Give the names of the family in the Pearl.

Kino, Juana, Coyotito

What happened to the pearl industry?

Mexican pearls were sought after for 400 years. By 1930, the oyster beds were depleted.

Why were pearls so desirable?

Pearls were so desirable because they didn't need cutting or polishing. Each pearl was unique and they were exotic. They had many different colors (black were popular).

When, how, and where did Steinbeck die?

Steinbeck died in New York on December 20, 1968 of a heart attack.

When and where was Steinbeck born?

Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902 in Salinas, CA.

What happened in 1919?

Steinbeck was enrolled in Stanford, but he dropped out.

What happened in 1530's?

The black pearls became popular in European fashion.

How did the Europeans treat the natives?

They oppressed the natives (even made some slaves) and treated them poorly.

Why were Steinbeck's novels so popular?

They were popular because they concerned ordinary people in pursuit of the American Dream. They also concern the universal condition of man.

When was Tortilla Flat published and how many copies did it sell?

Tortilla Flat was published in 1935 with 26,000 copies.

How did the Mexicans dive for pearls?

Until the mid 19th century, they dove from cannons for up to 5 hours a day. They used a short, sharp, stick as a tool to open oysters and protection from predators.