Travels With Charley

If Steinbeck took his journey today, what would be different? What would be the same?

Pick two or more locations in Travels With Charley and analyze how Steinbeck writes about them. What informs his observations? Do you agree with his conclusions? Why or why not?

Steinbeck expresses many worries about the future in the book. Did any of his concerns pan out as he expected? Why or why not?

How might the trip and the book be different had Steinbeck completed them at the beginning of his career rather than the end?

Do you think Steinbeck is fair in his characterization of people he meets during his trip? Why or why not?

Research Steinbeck’s political beliefs. How does his personal ideology inform this book?

Do you agree with Steinbeck that America is an increasingly mobile nation? Why or why not?

Steinbeck’s wife, Elaine, likely joined him for multiple legs of his journey. Why didn’t he mention her? In what ways does this omission help or hurt his narrative?