Of Wrath and War: The Grapes of Wrath in the Armed Services Editions

IF 0.9 0 LITERATURE, AMERICAN

Steinbeck Review Pub Date : 2021-06-17 DOI:10.5325/steinbeckreview.18.1.0033

Fredrik Tydal

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Abstract:This article examines the appearance of The Grapes of Wrath in the Armed Services Editions, the book series that provided the American military with reading material during World War II. It argues that this unique and widely disseminated edition has been overlooked in the novel’s reception history. Departing from the curiosity of including a politically controversial novel in an ostensibly patriotic context, I begin by highlighting the ways in which The Grapes of Wrath appears as an unexpected choice. As I turn to the literary artifact itself, I examine its framing textual materials, produced specifically for this edition, which would have shaped the soldiers’ understanding of the novel. Drawing on a combination of paratextual and reader-response theory, supplemented by archival research, I go on to argue that The Grapes of Wrath was issued in the series to serve a social function, possibly to create continued support for New Deal initiatives and other reform programs after the war. As part of my conclusion, however, I suggest that the lasting influence of this edition of the novel may be found in the realm of literary reputation rather than sociopolitical impact.

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愤怒与战争:武装部队版的愤怒的葡萄

摘要：本文考察了《愤怒的葡萄》在第二次世界大战期间为美国军方提供阅读材料的系列丛书《军事版》中的出现。它认为，这一独特且广泛传播的版本在小说的接受史上被忽视了。出于将一部政治上有争议的小说放在表面上爱国的背景下的好奇心，我首先强调了《愤怒的葡萄》作为一个意想不到的选择出现的方式。当我转向文学作品本身时，我检查了它的框架文本材料，这些材料是专门为本版制作的，它们将塑造士兵对小说的理解。根据副文本和读者反应理论的结合，再加上档案研究，我继续认为，《愤怒的葡萄》系列的发行是为了发挥社会功能，可能是为了在战后继续支持新政倡议和其他改革计划。然而，作为我结论的一部分，我认为这本小说的持久影响可能来自文学声誉，而不是社会政治影响。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Steinbeck Review LITERATURE, AMERICAN-

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期刊介绍： Steinbeck Review is an authorized publication on the life and works of American novelist John Steinbeck (1902–1968). It publishes scholarly articles; notes; book and performance reviews; creative writing; original artwork; and short intercalary pieces offering fresh perspectives, including notes on contemporary references to Steinbeck, discussions of the contexts of his work, and an occasional poem. Steinbeck Review has a threefold mission of broadening the scope of Steinbeck criticism, promoting the work of new and established scholars, and serving as a resource for Steinbeck teachers at all levels.