John Steinbeck, a literary giant renowned for his poignant portrayals of the human condition and the plight of the marginalized, often drew inspiration from diverse sources. Among these, the tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table held a special place, particularly after his youthful encounter with Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur. This fascination deeply influenced his moral compass and his perspective on social justice, shaping his famous sympathy for the underdog. While Steinbeck planned a direct retelling of Malory’s work later in life, his early novel, Tortilla Flat, published in 1935, offered a unique and comedic interpretation of Arthurian themes. Set in post-World War I Monterey, California, Tortilla Flat introduces us to a band of paisanos, men of mixed Spanish, Indian, Mexican, and European heritage, whose lives, centered around camaraderie and simple pleasures, echo the chivalric ideals of Arthur’s court, albeit in a distinctly Steinbeckian, wine-infused manner.
In Tortilla Flat, Steinbeck crafts a series of episodic tales that revolve around Danny and his circle of friends. These paisanos, living in a ramshackle house reminiscent of the Round Table, navigate life with a carefree spirit, their days filled with humorous escapades and a shared thirst for wine. Danny, inheriting two houses after the war, becomes the de facto leader, much like King Arthur, providing shelter and a sense of belonging for his companions. Pilon, often considered the wisest of the group, subtly assumes the role of Merlin, offering counsel and wry observations. Their adventures, though far removed from jousts and dragons, are no less heroic in their own context. A memorable scene, for instance, depicts their uproarious battle against a vacuum cleaner – a modern “dragon” threatening their carefree lifestyle – showcasing Steinbeck’s ability to find epic proportions in the mundane.
Steinbeck masterfully employs humor to explore deeper themes of friendship and solidarity within the paisano community. Their bond is their strength, a chosen family that prioritizes mutual support and shared experiences over material wealth. As Steinbeck vividly describes the social dynamics of wine consumption among the group, “Two gallons is a great deal of wine, even for two paisanos. Spiritually the jugs maybe graduated thus: Just below the shoulder of the first bottle, serious and concentrated conversation. Two inches farther down, sweetly sad memory. Three inches more, thoughts of old and satisfactory loves. An inch, thoughts of bitter loves. Bottom of the first jug, general and undirected sadness. Shoulder of the second jug, black, unholy despondency. Two fingers down, a song of death or longing. A thumb, every other song each one knows. The graduations stop here, for the trail splits and there is no certainty. From this point anything can happen.” This passage not only highlights the central role of wine in their lives but also reveals the depth of their emotional landscape and the unpredictable nature of their gatherings.
While the paisanos may appear as simple and unambitious, Steinbeck elevates their lives, suggesting their values are more genuine and enriching than those of the materialistic upper classes. This theme of celebrating the dignity of the marginalized resonates throughout Steinbeck’s work, prefiguring similar portrayals in novels like Cannery Row. However, Tortilla Flat held a complicated place in Steinbeck’s own estimation. Despite being his first commercially successful novel, launching his career and earning him critical acclaim, he later expressed regret over its reception. He was dismayed by critics and readers who reduced the paisanos to “quaint but colorful bums,” feeling this interpretation missed the human dignity and inherent worth he intended to portray. Steinbeck lamented, “literary slummers have taken these people up with the vulgarity of duchesses who are amused by and sorry for a peasantry. These stories are out, and I cannot recall them. But I shall never again subject to the vulgar touch of the decent these good people of laughter and kindness, of honest lusts and direct eyes, of courtesy beyond politeness. If I have done them any harm by telling a few of their stories, I am sorry.”
This quote reveals Steinbeck’s deep concern about misinterpretation and the potential for his work to be used to reinforce social hierarchies rather than challenge them. A core theme in Tortilla Flat is the rejection of conventional societal values, particularly the relentless pursuit of wealth. The paisanos‘ disinterest in material accumulation is not portrayed as laziness but as a conscious choice to prioritize human connection and shared experience. Danny’s decision not to charge rent exemplifies this ethos, emphasizing friendship over financial gain. Community, in Steinbeck’s view, becomes a form of resistance against a society that often marginalizes and overlooks the less fortunate.
The novel’s Arthurian parallels extend to a playful examination of chivalry and ethics. Pilon, the Merlin-like figure, often grapples with his conscience in humorous ways, such as when he contemplates paying Danny rent but decides against it, fearing Danny would squander the money on candy. These moments of “chivalric” justification, like the vacuum cleaner incident, underscore the novel’s comedic tone while also hinting at a deeper commentary on societal expectations and the pressures of adulthood. The paisanos‘ resistance to domesticity and conventional responsibility can be seen as a desire to preserve a sense of innocence and freedom, a yearning to remain outside the confines of a society they perceive as unjust.
Beneath the comedic surface, Tortilla Flat subtly explores a sense of disillusionment and questioning of societal norms. Danny, the Arthur figure, increasingly carries a weight of melancholy as the novel progresses. The symbolic presence of a black bird, a harbinger of death, foreshadows his tragic fate, suggesting that his defiance of societal expectations and his embrace of a transient lifestyle ultimately lead to his undoing. His declaration, “Then I will go out to The One who can fight, I will find The Enemy who is worthy of Danny!” can be interpreted as a yearning for purpose and meaning beyond the carefree existence he and his friends have cultivated. Danny’s ultimate demise, though presented within the novel’s comedic framework, carries a poignant undercurrent, suggesting the inherent challenges and potential costs of rejecting societal norms.
While Tortilla Flat stands as one of Steinbeck’s lighter works, it remains a significant piece for understanding his broader literary concerns. It showcases his characteristic charm, his deep empathy for his characters, and his nascent exploration of themes that would become central to his later masterpieces. It is important to acknowledge, however, that the novel reflects the social context of its time, and contains depictions of women and instances of casual racism that are problematic by contemporary standards. Despite these flaws, Tortilla Flat endures as a heartwarming and genuinely funny novel. Steinbeck creates a vibrant and engaging world in Monterey, populated by memorable characters whose misadventures offer both laughter and a subtle, yet potent, critique of societal values, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in early John Steinbeck and the development of his signature themes.
4/5
