Growing up during the Great Depression had a profound impact on John Steinbeck's writings. Witnessing the hardships faced by families and communities influenced his focus on social issues and the struggles of the common man. His experiences with poverty and displacement, reflected in novels like The Grapes of Wrath, highlighted the resilience of human spirit amid adversity. Steinbeck's empathy for the downtrodden fueled his desire to expose societal injustices and advocate for change. The themes of survival, hardship, and hope in his work continue to resonate with readers, making him a significant voice in American literature.