I have always loved the writings of Steinbeck. The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men are two of my all-time favorite books. Steinbeck's portrayal of human struggle is amazing. His writings get down to the nitty-gritty details of life. I think his authenticity comes from the fact that he himself knew struggle and hardship. He worked at hard, dirty jobs from a young age and this is reflected in his writing.
I had not read the story Flight before this week, but I enjoyed it as much as the other Steinbeck works I have read in the past. The story begins on a small farm run by Mama Torres and her three children near Monterey, California. In the story the tension slowly mounts as Pepe readies himself for a trip into town and we are introduced to the knife which will be his demise. Late that night he returns to Mama Torres drunk and frightened and tells her what happened while he was in town. It turns out that while he was there he killed a man with his precious knife. Mama Torres sends him off into the night hoping that he will be able to escape his punishment for his misdeed. All he takes with him are his knife, the clothes on his back, and a small amount of food and water. Soon after he leaves he cuts his hand when he is trying to defend himself. From this point on Pepe's luck takes a turn for the worse, and his trials truly begin. The details of Pepe's sufferings are related vividly by Steinbeck. I cringe every time Pepe's injured hand is jarred, and when he finally meets his demise I am somewhat relieved because it means he won't have to suffer anymore.
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