Modern Inklings

An Unusual, But Applicable, Literary Theme

A critical literary essay by Lynne Hathaway

There are many themes that one can find in Steinbeck’s travelogue entitled Travels with Charley. In his extensive narrative, thematic elements can be found on such topics as journeys, aging, the Cold War, nature, the environment, or consumerism. Other themes in Travels with Charley are put forth as well, such as thoughts on change, American identity, being lost, racism and the futility of governments. Any one of these themes could be chosen as a perfectly proper essay topic that could easily be explored and expanded upon with ease in reference to Steinbeck’s stylized work of non-fiction. Arguably the most interesting theme that could be discussed is sense of humor. Yes, that’s right: a sense of humor is a theme worth discussing in Travels with Charley. The message being relayed is that when it comes to America and, more specifically, Americans, one must have a very good sense of humor. Besides, the book would be downright boring without it and thankfully, the author has a very keen sense of humor and indomitable wit that touches on all the other aforementioned themes and more. What’s more, he delightfully expounds on things that bother many Americans who don’t have the talent to write about them like Steinbeck.

As evidence, there is Steinbeck’s humorous commentary on the subject of speed limits. Many a weary American has felt that inkling of irritation at the ever-changing speed limits, especially from state to state. Steinbeck says it perfectly: “I wish any two states could get together on a speed limit. Just about the time you get used to fifty miles an hour you cross a state line and it’s sixty-five.” Although states can’t seem to agree about speed limits, Steinbeck notes each state’s propensity to proclaim themselves the best, “…in one matter all states agree,” he says, “each one admits it is the finest of all and announces that fact in huge letters as you cross the state line.” He points out that in his travels across so many states, he hasn’t seen “a single state that hadn’t had a good word to say for itself” then he pronounces the practice as “indelicate” and advises that perhaps “it might be better to let visitors find out for themselves” whether or not a state is as wonderful as it proclaims itself to be (Steinbeck, Part One).

“A dog, particularly an exotic like Charley, is a bond between strangers.”

— John Steinbeck Travels With Charley

Steinbeck even has a humorous point-of-view about antique shops, noting with a bit of tongue-in-cheek speculation that the “population of the thirteen colonies was less than four million souls” and that “every one of them must have been frantically turning out tables, chairs, china, glass, candle molds, and oddly shaped bits of iron, copper, and brass for future sale to twentieth-century tourists.” Many have driven by the numerous antique shops on the side of the road and have wondered where have all the antiques come from? How could there possibly be that many antiques, made by a minimal population of early Americans, to warrant so many antique shops? Fortunately, Steinbeck wonders about that, too, and he couldn’t have said what many have thought any more perfectly. “There are enough antiques for sale along the roads of New England alone,” he points out, “to furnish the houses of a population of fifty million.” He wisely advises that an astute businessman would start accumulating all the junk and “wrecked automobiles” now to sell to future generations because the “things we have to pay to have hauled away would bring fortunes.” Even though everyone knows it doesn’t really work that way, one wonders right along with Steinbeck why it doesn’t work that way! It’s another conundrum of American life for which humor is the only answer to keep the insanity of it all at bay (Part Two).

In exploring further topics, one can’t help but be amused at Steinbeck’s wry descriptions of getting lost. He has been given very detailed written directions on which way to go but still manages to get lost, “…have you ever noticed that instructions from one who knows the country get[s] you more lost than you are, even when they are accurate?” he asks. Of course, who hasn’t noticed that? But one never really wants to admit it, much less write about it because then it would just be sad, not humorous. Thankfully, Steinbeck has just the right touch to make it humorous and relatable at the same time. “I also got lost in Ellsworth,” he says, “which I am told is impossible.” The scene is made even more humorous when he stops to ask for directions to an island and the humorless man looks at him closely to make sure he isn’t joking before he points across the water and asks, “Is that it?” Steinbeck then notes that “Maine people” can be “rather taciturn” and apparently, they are more so when stating, or pointing out, the obvious thing that is right in front of his eyes! (Part Two).

“A journey is a person itself; no two are alike.”

— John Steinbeck Travels With Charley

The witty author finds comical aspects in even the most mundane tasks such as when he stops to buy a kerosene lamp from a store that he describes as “half hardware store and half ship’s chandler” because he “had the fear” the he might be in the middle of nowhere when he would “run out of butane gas” and then wonders, “how would I read in bed then?” (Part Two). One can’t help seeing the humor when Steinbeck tells a tale of “a farmer in upper New York State” who “painted the word ‘cow’ in big black letters on both sides of his white bossy” bovine so that hunters wouldn’t mistake it for a deer and shoot it. It would be ludicrous if it weren’t so close to what happens in real life, but it’s all in fun when Steinbeck expounds on the subject, especially when he notes that “the hunters shot it anyway.” He was afraid for himself, he writes, because “four automobiles were hit on opening day” but he claims he is more afraid for Charley because he knows “that a poodle looks very like a buck deer to one of those hunters.” He then fastens a red Kleenex to Charley’s tail with rubber bands in an effort to protect him (Part Two). Now one can look with humor at the next metal road sign with bullet holes in it rather than consternation all because of Steinbeck.

Humor is an unusual but certainly applicable literary theme in this charming narrative, and readers can never look at America in much the same way again after reading it. One cannot truly appreciate the American way of life without a good sense of humor and no one knows it better, or writes of it more eloquently, then Steinbeck. Maybe if more would take the time to read this charming travelogue, Americans would relax a little bit more and laugh at their differences rather than hate each other for them. A wise psychiatrist would write more prescriptions for Travels with Charley. Indeed, the best medicine for a heavy heart is a little bit of John Steinbeck in the morning.

Works Cited

Steinbeck, John. Travels with Charley in Search of America. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, Penguin US, 1980.

Lynne Hathaway is an essayist and wordsmith with substantial knowledge of literature, literary criticism, proofreading and editing. She has a BA in Professional Studies with a minor in English and also has experience in Graphic Design.

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