Virtue, honesty, loyalty and equality. These elements represent values that exist in American society. However these morals are undercut, as Americans become more concerned with material wealth, than with the wellbeing of others. However, the loss of these morals brings untold dissatisfaction to the populace. John Steinbeck’s The Winter of Our Discontent examines the negative aspects of America’s cash-crazed society, and how the acquisition of wealth does not always lead to happiness.

Ethan Allen Hawley, a man of moral convictions, finds he is caught between a romantic past of manners and respect, and a future dominated by individualism and greed. Though he exhibits the ” the old-world charm” (39) of being decent and honest, he stands out in a society where corruption is normal and accepted. In his hometown, moneygrubbers such as Mr. Baker now walk the streets of a place once dominated by noble Aunt Deborahs and old Capn’s. Although he hates to admit it, Ethan notices that that the people of New Baytown are more interested in earning money than the wellbeing of each other. As he sees with the treatment of the once prominent Danny Taylor, people reject those who do not comply with society’s standards for wealth. Fearing that he too will be tossed aside, Ethan mutters the eternal rhetoric of Shakespeare; that “now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this son of York”. (157)

Ethan speaks about a winter of discontent because he feels the jaws of a dishonest society attempting to eat away at his core values, that is honesty and integrity. When his employer, Alfio Marullo, attempts to get Ethan to save money at the expense of customers, Ethan claims he does not chisel people just to earn a profit. Marullo explains that exploiting customers is good business, for “good business is the only kind…that stays in business” (21). Marullo believes that “business is money” and that “money is not friendly” (23), to people who actually care for the customers’ wellbeing. His immoral business skills are representative of society’s new value set. Ethan fights against these new values by refusing to comply with Marullo’s wishes. But try as he might, Ethan cannot escape, even in the comfort of his own home. There his restless wife and children pine for the comforts of wealth and luxury, which Ethan’s meager salary cannot provide. He reminds his family that “money does not change the sickness, only the symptoms” (101) a