Dr. Seuss
One of the many books published by Dr. Seuss, "The Cat in The Hat"
During the 1930s, there were many writers; one of the most known writers was Dr Seuss. During 1932, Dr Seuss had written an ABC book for young children; however he couldn’t find a publisher.
Then in 1936, he wrote the book “And To Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street”, while he was on a ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean. He got the books rhyme from the engine sound of the ship. The book is about a boy using his imagination to change a horse and a wagon to different kinds of beast.
Dr. Seuss soon joined the Random House book company until his death. Then in 1938, he wrote the book, “The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins”. During 1939, Dr Seuss wrote two books, “The Kings Silt” and “The Seven Lady Godivas”. The Seven Lady Godivas was one of the two books he wrote for adults. Dr Seuss’s books have helped many young children learn to read.
John Steinbeck
One of the many books published by John Steinbeck, "The Grapes of Wrath"
During the 1930s, there were many writers in America. One of the writers was John Steinbeck. In the early 1930s, John Steinbeck was a normal American in the working class. He had witnessed a lot of damage done by the Dust Bowl and by the Great Depression.
In 1936, John Steinbeck wrote a novel called “Dubious Battle”. This book focused on the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. He wrote about how these two events affected the economy and farming in America. Then in 1937, he published another novel called “Mice and Men”. In this novel he talks about two workers and how their dreams got destroyed by the Dust Bowl.
In 1939, John Steinbeck published the widely known novel called “Grapes of Wrath”. “Grapes of Wrath” has been known for its illustrations, which show images of humans in pain. This novel tells about the effects of the Depression on farmers in the southwest and shows the distress of families up in the north. John Steinbeck has written many great novels about events in America.
Other author in the 1930s
Margaret Mitchell: Margaret Mitchell is most recognized for her novel “Gone with the Wind” written in 1936. The story took place in Georgia, in the time of the Civil War. It told of the three marriages of the main character, Scarlett O’ Hara. The book was adapted into screenplay in 1939 and was very successful.
Ernest Hemingway: Ernest Hemingway, who is a famous author, wrote some of his works in the 1930s. Some examples of the works in that decade are: “Death in the Afternoon”, The Green Hill of Africa”, and “Have and Have Not”. “Have and Have Not” was made into film.
Pearl Buck: Pearl Buck is famous for her work “The Good Earth” written in 1931 and which received the Pulitzer Prize. Another novel by her which was written in 1930, is “East Wind: West Wind”. Her life as a missionary in China influenced her novels. In 1938 she received the Nobel Prize for literature.
Aldous Huxley: Aldous Huxley was an author best known for his book “Brave New World” written in 1932 which gave view of a dreadful civilization taking place in the 25th century. Other works of this author in the 1930s are: “Eyeless in Gaza”, and “After a Many Dies the Swan”. He also wrote an essay called “Of End and Means” in 1937. He became a Hollywood screenwriter in the late 1930’s.
