National Steinbeck Center Academic Conference

The National Steinbeck Center is one of the largest literary museums dedicated to appreciating the life and works of John Steinbeck. Inspired by Steinbeck’s keen observations on the human condition, the National Steinbeck Center is a locale for global dialogue with scholars and students on social issues represented in his novels against the backdrop of the Salinas Valley. As we approach the 70th anniversary of his seminal novel East of Eden, we will be hosting an academic conference to share various perspectives and research analyzing the novel’s place in today’s world. Our goal is to bring the academic community and future scholars together for an intellectual conversation which we hope to continue every year. This conference will feature short lectures and panel discussions from literary scholars and graduate students. The panels will cover the relation of Steinbeck’s work to the 21st century, agriculture, and the legacy of East of Eden. The short lectures will similarly analyze topics ranging from ethnic identity to the characterization of women presented in Steinbeck’s works, with a specific focus on East of Eden. We invite you to experience and join these illuminating conversations on one of the most important authors of the 20th century.