Which author is primarily associated with social-issue novels portraying American life during economic hardship?

• A. Ernest Hemingway
• B. Zora Neale Hurston
• C. John Steinbeck
• D. E.B. White

Answer: (C)

The idea tested is recognizing authors who are closely tied to social-issue realism about American life during economic hardship, especially the Great Depression. John Steinbeck is the best fit because his novels, such as The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, center on the struggles of farmers and migrant workers, vividly portraying poverty, social injustice, and the impact of economic forces on everyday people. He uses grounded, human stories to critique larger systems and highlight resilience in the face of hardship.

Hemingway is known for spare, individual-focused narratives often centered on war, masculinity, and existential challenges rather than broad economic crises. Hurston wrote about African American life, culture, and folklore in the South and the Caribbean, emphasizing cultural voice more than economic crisis. White is celebrated for essays, humor, and children’s literature, not the portrayal of Depression-era social issues.