Steinbeck Characters: 5 Novellas Quiz

Answer: The Moon Is Down

1942's "The Moon is Down" is about a small, peaceful town overrun by an invading force. Written during World War II, Steinbeck was criticized by many for making the occupiers too relatable. Still, the book inspired the real-life Operation Braddock, a British Special Operations Executive operation begun the follow year originally called Project Moon. After the war, Steinbeck was the recipient of Norway's King Haakon VII Freedom Cross in 1945 for the book's contribution to the resistance effort. In 1955, he also picked up the Commander's Cross of Franco-Belgian Gratitude.

As for Colonel Lanser, he's the officer in charge of the army that invades and occupies the small town. He's an experienced soldier and a veteran of the previous war. He is very aware that occupying a place is one thing, but controlling the people of that place is very different. It's a lesson his underlings will eventually learn. The townspeople won't give up their freedom without a fight.

Answer: The Moon Is Down

George Corell has few friends in the occupied town as the story begins. He was a local businessman who betrays his erstwhile friends by collaborating with the invaders. He gives them information that helps them take control. This makes him a traitor in the eyes of his fellow townspeople, and he very much has a target on his back.

Answer: The Moon Is Down

Mayor Orden is the town's mayor and one of the more important characters of the story. He's a down-to-earth, good-natured guy. He believes that it's his job to let the people impress their will onto him rather than the other way around. When the occupying army tries to force him into submission, Orden refuses to give in--even if it costs him his life.

Answer: The Red Pony

"The Red Pony" is a coming-of-age story, Steinbeck-style. The four connected stories were published separately in magazines between 1933 and 1937. In 1945, the full volume was made available under its current name. The stories focus on a young boy growing up on a California ranch as he experiences responsibility, loss, and well, just the realities of life. And it's got a red pony.

Jody is the young boy in question. He's just a kid trying to understand a world around him that doesn't always make sense. He has a lot to learn, and John Steinbeck pulls no punches in teaching him those things. When his father gives him a pony, Jody is of course thrilled and cares for it with great seriousness. His experiences with the pony and those around him teach him some of the tougher lessons about life and just how unfair it can be.

Answer: The Red Pony

Billy Buck is the horse handler of the ranch, and he's been around for a long time. For some reason, he's the most memorable character of the story for me. Initially, Jody trusts him strongly, believing that Billy knows just about everything there is to know about horses. And he does know a lot about horses. But Billy can't fix everything.

Answer: The Red Pony

Gitano is an old man who shows up one day at the Tiflin ranch and says he was born there. Okay. He says he wants to spend his final days on the land where he grew up, and Jody's father isn't particularly thrilled with the idea. Meanwhile, Jody is fascinated by him. Before long, Gitano leaves the ranch, riding off into the mountains on an old horse named Easter that Jody's father no longer considers useful.

Answer: Of Mice and Men

I'd love to tell you that "Of Mice and Men" is a lovely story about two hard workers and lots of bunnies, but it doesn't quite work out that way. George Milton and Lennie Small are the travelling ranch hands, and they dream of owning a little farm where they can finally live life on their own terms. With bunnies. Heartbreaking obstacles to that dream await.

So, George. He's a small, sharp ranch worker who travels around California with his friend Lennie looking for work. Lennie is NOT so sharp. George often gets frustrated with Lennie because he has a very hard time understanding things and tends to get both of them into trouble. However, underneath all the complaining, George genuinely cares about him and looks out for him.

Answer: Of Mice and Men

Candy is an old ranch worker who lost one of his hands in an accident. As a result, he worries about his employability as an aging one-handed worker. When George and Lennie tell him about their dream of owning a little farm, Candy offers to add his savings to help make it happen.

He believes it could be his chance to have a home and a little security instead of being left alone with nowhere to go.

Answer: Of Mice and Men

Curley is the boss's son, a short-tempered guy who's always looking for a fight. He's insecure and constantly tries to prove himself. This leads him to pick on Lennie, who makes an especially easy target. Curley is also newly married, but his relationship with his wife is... complicated. His aggressive behavior makes what starts out as a bad situation into a disaster.

Answer: The Pearl

This one was inspired by a folk tale out of Mexico and was released in 1947. If you had to read Steinbeck in school, chances are good that it was "The Pearl". It's about a poor pearl diver who finds a pearl of unusual size. With dreams of a better future for his family at the forefront of his mind, Kino becomes increasingly obsessed with the pearl. His determination to protect it leads him toward violence and choices that ultimately destroy the future he hopes to build.

So, yes. Kino is a poor pearl diver who lives with his wife, Juana, and their baby, Coyotito. Those are the other answers. He finds the pearl and begins dreaming of giving his family the better life he had never been able to provide. He dreams of buying nice things. He thinks about getting Coyotito an education. He imagines finally escaping poverty. Things don't work out.

Answer: The Pearl

Juana is Kino's wife and Coyotito's mother in "The Pearl". She's strong, caring, and certainly the more levelheaded one in the family. When Kino finds the pearl, she initially shares his excitement. However, she soon begins to fear that the pearl will bring only disaster. Eventually, she becomes convinced that the pearl is evil and urges Kino to throw it back into the sea.

When Kino catches her trying to throw the pearl into the ocean, he beats her.

Answer: The Pearl

Coyotito is Kino and Juana's baby boy, and he's the reason the whole story gets going. After a scorpion stings Coyotito, his parents take him to the doctor for help. The doctor wants nothing to do with the child, because Kino cannot afford to pay. His contempt for the Indigenous population also makes him unwilling to help.

When Kino finds the pearl, he hopes it will give Coyotito a better future. Unfortunately for Coyotito, the pearl brings only misery and tragedy.

Answer: The Short Reign of Pippin IV

After the misery of the last two novellas, how about a little humor? What happens when your typical mild-mannered French astronomer unexpectedly becomes king of France? Well, you'll find out in this short novel by John Steinbeck published in 1957. But let's just say that Luxembourg will be watching developments carefully.

What can we say about Pippin? He's just a regular French guy from an old aristocratic family, who'd rather study the stars than waste time with the politics of the day. When France's political parties find themselves hopelessly deadlocked, they take the easy way out and decide to reinstate the monarchy. Pippin's royal ancestry makes him a convenient candidate, and he's elected king before he even knows what's happening. Suddenly, he's dealing with politicians, royal traditions, and a lot of people trying to tell him what to do. Pippin approaches the whole situation in his own thoughtful, down-to-earth way, wondering why everyone takes the business of being king so seriously.

Answer: The Short Reign of Pippin IV

Clotilde is Pippin and Marie's daughter. She's an energetic young woman with big ambitions and a knack for attracting attention. She's already made a name for herself as a best-selling writer at age 20. The new Crown Princess finds herself caught up in the whole royal life, along with her parents. However, Clotilde has her own ideas about what she wants.

Answer: The Short Reign of Pippin IV

Sister Hyacinthe is a nun who used to work as a cabaret dancer, so she's got the perfect backstory for this book. She's smart, sensible, and certainly not afraid to share her opinions. When Pippin and his wife Marie need someone to talk to, she's always there with her down-to-earth advice.