QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. If you were to take a cross-country trip, where would you go? How would you travel? Would you take a companion? Who or what? Do you share that urge to travel/move that he talks about in the first chapter?

2. What kind of companion was Charley?

3. What was Steinbeck's focus for his trip? What was he looking for? Where did he look for it?

4. Steinbeck is traveling in 1960, when the interstate highways were being built. He avoided them. Why? What did he think they were good for? Is that still true today?

5. Steinbeck was interested in Americans in general, and particularly in their roots. Are Americans more or less rooted now than 40 years ago? How many of us still live where we were raised?

6. Steinbeck developed a theory about regional speech as he traveled. What was it, and is it valid? Is it more obvious today than during his trip?

7. The WPA guides he mentions are available in condensed form. Read a selection from the book and compare it to something Steinbeck talks about.

8. When in California, Steinbeck visits his sisters. Though determined not to argue, they inevitably dissolve into acrimonious discussion based on opposing political views. Yet Steinbeck was quite calm in discussions with others he disagreed with on his trip. What is it about family that allows or encourages disputes?

9. What attracts people to different parts of the country? Why would someone want to live in the desert or on an earthquake fault? Where would you like to live?

10. Steinbeck felt he couldn't be objective about Texas because he had friends and relatives from that state and was familiar with it. Does knowing someone from another state make it seem familiar to you? Is there a difference in going someplace where you know someone and where you know no-one?

11. The South made Steinbeck uncomfortable, yet he persevered and, in fact, purposely visited New Orleans to see the Cheerleaders in person. What, if anything, did his up close and personal visit demonstrate to him?

12. John Steinbeck needed to prove that he could take care of himself, even though his health was a concern. Did he accomplish that goal? What else did he learn on his trip?

13. Do you ever really finish a trip across the country or around the world? Could such a trip ever be duplicated? Would you want it to be? Think of the Lewis and Clark followers, or Route 66. Are you trying to return to your past?

14. Steinbeck was so relieved to be home that he got lost in Manhattan. Have you ever traveled a distance and been so relieved to be home?

Lee Fertitta
Director of Adult Services
Port Washington Public Library

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