John Steinbeck's personal trials, including his struggle with his identity and the experiences of poverty during the Great Depression, deeply influenced his literary works. Growing up in California, he witnessed the plight of migrant workers and the impact of economic hardship on American society. His empathy for the disenfranchised is vividly portrayed in novels like "The Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men," which capture the struggles of ordinary people facing adversity. Steinbeck's works reflect a profound understanding of human resilience and the social issues of his time, resonating with readers across generations.