John Steinbeck Oral History Project
While most of America thinks about The Grapes of Wrath or Of Mice and Men when they think of Steinbeck, Sag Harbor residents will always remember him for the way that he touched their lives and the community. Among many fond memories, some may remember him from the 1964 Harborfest, then called the Old Whaler’s festival, when he helped hand out the trophies for the whaleboat races. Come down to the library and help us remember and preserve Steinbeck- we will be collecting oral histories from folks who remember personal stories about him. Please contact us during November and December to make an appointment to share your memories. Call 631-725-0049 or e-mail programs@johnjermain.org.
John Steinbeck: The Favorite Writer Many Love To Hate
John Steinbeck’s writings have made him a favorite in the hearts and minds of millions of readers in the United States and across the world. Yet throughout his career, and even today 50 years after his death, he was (is) subjected to relentless, at times cruel, condemnation largely by the professional literary community. How can this apparent irony and enigma be explained? Explore this fascinating subject with Prof. Richard E. Hart, one of the few academics who has explored the philosophical dimensions of Steinbeck’s work. He serves on the editorial board of STEINBECK REVIEW and has been an officer of the International Society of Steinbeck Scholars. Registration required, limit 40.
Sunday, December 9, 3:00-4:30 pm
Film Screenings:
East of Eden
A willful young man contends against his brother for the attention of their religious father while reconnecting with his estranged mother and falling for his brother’s girlfriend. Registration required, limit 40.
Thursday, December 13, 6:30-8:30 pm
Of Mice and Men (1939)
Two itinerant migrant workers, one mentally disabled and the other his carer, take jobs as ranch hands during the Great Depression to fulfill their shared dream of owning their own ranch. Registration required, limit 40.
Thursday, December 27, 7:00-8:46 pm
Ahhhhh, John Steinbeck —- I lived on John Street back in those days when John lived in Bluff Point, down and around from our house on the Cove. Charlie had his daily wanders to relieve himself in our back yard, stopped for a pat, and off he would go to wherever dogs like to go. There were lots of woods between his house and ours back then. John Steinbeck will always be remembered as the old guy with Charlie, and then with a white bull terrier, whom kind of scared me. John frequently purchased ice cream at what was then Disties, but is now the Cove Deli. We kids were very young and to us he was just another old guy, who just happened to be best friends with my mom’s first husband, Bob Barry. When a school assignment was given to us to watch the Play “Of Mice and Men” on TV, that is when it became more known to me that John Steinbeck was a pretty special character to be living down the street from. We had to write a paper about what we thought of the Play. Since I’ve loved mice from childhood, all my thoughts processed around that focus. I certainly have more thoughts about that play as an adult.
Ahhhhh, John Steinbeck —- I lived on John Street back in those days when John lived in Bluff Point, down and around from our house on the Cove. Charlie had his daily wanders to relieve himself in our back yard, stopped for a pat, and off he would go to wherever dogs like to go. There were lots of woods between his house and ours back then. John Steinbeck will always be remembered as the old guy with Charlie, and then with a white bull terrier, whom kind of scared me. John frequently purchased ice cream at what was then Disties, but is now the Cove Deli. We kids were very young and to us he was just another old guy, who just happened to be best friends with my mom’s first husband, Bob Barry. When a school assignment was given to us to watch the Play “Of Mice and Men” on TV, that is when it became more known to me that John Steinbeck was a pretty special character to be living down the street from. We had to write a paper about what we thought of the Play. Since I’ve loved mice from childhood, all my thoughts processed around that focus. I certainly have more thoughts about that play as an adult. Looking back on it now, I remember feeling compassion for the mentally challenged migrant worker.