Abstract

John Steinbeck, known for his descriptions of the American West, maintained a fascination with the Arthurian legend throughout his life and literary career. Through comparative analysis of Cup of Gold, Tortilla Flat, and The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights, we can see Steinbeck's recurring interest in the Arthurian legend which is often overlooked by scholars. Steinbeck's initial interest in strict translation which evolved into adaptation over the course of his work on The Acts shows his developing interest in Arthurian themes which he enhanced with his own creative abilities as a world-renowned author. By highlighting the gap between Steinbeck's view of America and his known Arthurian interest, we can challenge current interpretations of Steinbeck's literary corpus, and create new meaning which has been overlooked. Despite limited scholarship on The Acts, this thesis explores Steinbeck's connection to King Arthur and underscores the significance of his contribution to the Arthurian tradition.

Degree

MA

College and Department

Humanities; English

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2024-04-25

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd13204

Keywords

Steinbeck, Arthurian legend, posthumous publication, translation, adaptation

Language

english

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