42 pages • 1 hour read
The Winter Of Our Discontent
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
291
Novel • Fiction
New England • 1960s
1961
Adult
18+ years
770L
Super Short Summary
The Winter of Our Discontent centers on Ethan Hawley, a grocery store clerk in New Baytown, New York. Pressured by family and friends to restore his family’s wealth, Ethan faces moral dilemmas and makes questionable choices to regain status, ultimately grappling with the consequences of his actions and the example he sets for his children. Contains themes of suicide, substance abuse, and racial and ethnic bias.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Dark
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
53,321 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
John Steinbeck's The Winter of Our Discontent captivates with its exploration of moral complexities in post-war America. Praise centers on Steinbeck's masterful character development and poignant social critique. However, some find the pacing slow and the protagonist's ethical dilemmas overly introspective, potentially alienating readers. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and impactful read.
Who Should Read The Winter Of Our Discontent?
Readers who would enjoy John Steinbeck's The Winter of Our Discontent are typically drawn to stories exploring moral dilemmas, personal transformation, and societal critique. Fans of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Sinclair Lewis's Main Street will appreciate Steinbeck's nuanced examination of American culture and values.
53,321 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Mary Hawley
Mary Hawley
Ethan’s wife who grew up in poverty but is now accustomed to a middle-class lifestyle, devoted to her children, and symbolizes the traditional 1960s homemaker.
Allen Hawley
Allen Hawley
The ambitious teenage son of Ethan and Mary, who dreams of television fame and represents changes in cultural values toward celebrity.
Ellen Hawley
Ellen Hawley
Ethan and Mary’s young daughter, noted for her innocence and youthful maturity, and who plays a pivotal role in her family's dynamics.
Danny Taylor
Danny Taylor
Ethan’s childhood friend and fellow member of a fallen wealthy family, now struggling with alcoholism and living in destitution.
Margie Young-Hunt
Margie Young-Hunt
A twice-divorced and flirtatious woman in town known for her seductive allure and purported psychic abilities, involved in the social life around her.
Alfio Marullo
Alfio Marullo
The Italian immigrant owner of the grocery store where Ethan works, who symbolizes the evolving American landscape and ethnic dynamics.
291
Novel • Fiction
New England • 1960s
1961
Adult
18+ years
770L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.