Olive Hamilton is a good example. He only spends one chapter on her but there is so much we learn about her. We learn her background as a teacher, her desire to live in the city, and her life as a mother. I especially love the second part of the chapter when Olive declares war on the Germans for kill a local boy, Martin Hopps. There is so much we learn about Olive's character as she prepares for her airplane ride where she believes she will not come back alive.
I think Steinbeck is brilliant in picking out situations and details that tell us about his characters. I hope one day I can write like Steinbeck in developing my characters and revealing information and details that will create a connection with the reader.
"And this I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected."
I agree. Steinbeck's style is really good. When he told us about Olive at first I thought it was just sort of out of nowhere, but I get that he's explainging more of the family, and that it's more than likely relative later on.
ReplyDeleteWow, Katie! I didn't even read this post before doing mine. I can't believe we picked out the same quote or part of the same quote ... makes me think of that saying about "great minds."
ReplyDeleteAnd I love how the book is character driven. Most books are propelled by action, drama, love or the lack of one of the three. It is so nice to see someone focus on the characters. Really drawing them out into the open and letting the reader get to know them.