To a God Unknown
About the Author
John Ernst
Steinberg J.R (1902 - 1968) was an American writer and he is called as “Giant
of American Letters”. During his lifetime he wrote 33 books including 16
novels, 6 nonfiction books and 2 collections of short stories. He is also
widely known for his comic books like “Tortilla Flat” and “East of Eden”.
Notable Works
(1) Of Mine and Me
(2) The Group of Wrath
(3) East of Eden
“The Grasp
of Wrath” is considered as Steinberg’s masterpiece and it becomes the part of
American literary canon, he won The Pulitzer Prize for the group of Wrath, It
sold 14 million copies since it was published Steinberg J.R he also won the
noble prize in literature (1962) for his realistic and imaginative writings,
combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social perception.
Steinberg’s
works mostly explored the themes of Fate and Injustice, especially as applied
downtrodden or everyman protagonist.
Introduction
To A God Unknown is a novel by John Steinberg, Initially published in
1933. As it was Steinberg’s third novel, he found To A God Unknown extremely
difficult to complete as it take him 5 years to complete and it is Steinberg’s
longest novel.
This novel
explores the relationship of man to his land. Joseph Wayne, the protagonist
shifts to California to gain citizenship, later on he was joined by his three
brothers after his father’s death. The three brothers create a large farm
raising horses, cattle and sheep. Once a drought occurs Steinberg argues how
men respond to having faith and then shaken.
Important Characters
(1) Joseph Wayne – The protagonist who is a Rancher (a person
who owns large farm and manages them.). He is second youngest son in Wayne
family.
(2) Thomas Wayne – The second oldest brother and he has
special connection to animals.
(3) Burton Wayne – The oldest Wayne brother he is dedicated
to his Christian religious and he is very religious.
(4) Burton Wayne – The youngest brother he is very
irresponsible and irrelevant being a charge upon his brothers.
(5) Juanito – A Mexican he is the part of people who help
Joseph build his house.
(6) Willie – Son of Ramos he is a lumber carrier.
(7) John Wayne – Father of all the Wayne brothers.
Summary
Joseph Wayne, the protagonist of this story is a rancher(a person who
owns a big farm and takes care of animals) he is the third among his bothers,
younger than Burton and Thomas but older than Benjy.
The special attachment
was felt by Joseph to his land as he grows up but decides to move to California
to create a big farm and start a family there, however his father John begs to
go but at the end he also understands Joseph’s passion towards his goal and
gives him permission and blessings.
On his way
he met an old man named Juan who encourages and helps him to build a home and
throw a grand party once he is set up. After sometimes wandering Joseph arrives
California and established a farm Nuestra Senora valley he builds his house
under a great Oak tree which symbolizes his deceased father.
There he
works with Juanito in the same building who offers to become his vaquero
(cowboy) as they are friends. Then suddenly there is bad situation happened as
“Dry Years” a lengthy drought that seems to be periodic and it was difficult
for farmers. Joseph invites his brothers to take the land next to him. They
explore the land that has been given and they slip upon a slippery rock and
went directly to the center of pine forest.
Joseph then
meets Elizabeth who is a school teacher from Monterey, after several attempts,
Joseph wins her hand and they get to marry each other. When they return to the
farm after wedding they discover that Benjy has been killed by Juanito who
caught him seducing his wife. When the two men meet after that night at the
sacred rock, Juanito ask Joseph to kill him in revenge for his brother but
Joseph refuses. Joseph wants to pass it off as an accident but Juanito flees
the farm promising to return once the guilt has passed. Elizabeth came in the
farm and meet Rama, Thomas’s wife who helps her with many things including her
first childbirth.
For some
time, the farm prospers and Elizabeth gives birth to a child, Joseph’s brother
Burton, a devoted Christian becomes more concerned with Joseph’s activities
with the tree after seeing him talk to that tree and appreciating after
sacrifice to it as well.
Joseph
remembers his promise to old Juan and the farm becomes the site of New Year’s
fiesta after witnessing all the activities that took place at the fiesta,
Burton decides to leave the farm. After he leaves the remaining brothers
discover Burton had grilled the tree to kill it. In the following rainless
winter everything begins to die as a massive drought sets in and everyone fears
that he dry tears have come again.
One day,
Joseph and Elizabeth visit the sacred rock to remove Elizabeth’s fear of it.
Elizabeth decides to climb on the rock but slips and falls breaks her neck and
dies on the spot. Joseph returns to his home with Elizabeth’s body. Rama noticed
how disturbed Joseph was and she sleeps with him to fulfill their needs. Later
in the novel Joseph gives his firstborn son to her some time later when the
drought is forcing desperate measures Joseph and Thomas explores the cast to
see if there is any way they will be able to remain at the homestead.
They meet a
man who ritually sacrifices small creatures to the sunset each evening and
Joseph feels a connection to him. After returning, Joseph and Thomas decide to
stay but feel abandoned by all the land except the pine grove with the stream
and the rock. He believes that the rock is the heart of land and as long as it
stays alive the land cannot be truly dead. Then he lives by that rock and
watches the spring slowly dry up using the water to keep the rock wet and
alive.
Juanito
returns and convices Joseph to visit the town’s priest to enlish his help in breaking
the drought. The priest refuses to pray for him, saying that this concern is
the salvation of human souls. Then Joseph returns to the rock only to find that
the stream has run dry and the rock is dying.
At the end
because of confusion Joseph realizes that he is the heart of the land and so
sacrifices himself by cutting his wrist to water the rock with his blood. As he
lies dying on the sacred rock he feels rain begin to fall again.
Conclusion
The novel
examines what is meant by belief and how it affects different people. It also
portrays the connection between the former and the land a common theme which
appeared also in his later novels.
