The winter of our discontent

(15) “... I do not trust thee Margie Young, the reason why I cannot tongue. But this I 
know and know right spung, I do not trust thee Mrs. Young” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 132). 
(16) “Power but not of glory surged through me” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 189). 
(17) “Lettuce and cheese,” he said, “Lettuce and cheese. When a man 
marries, he lives in the trees” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 32).
 
(18) It does seem to me that nearly everyone I see is nervous and restless and 
a little loud and gaily crazy like people getting drunk on New Year's eve. Should 
auld acquaintance be forgot and kiss your neighbour's wife 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 207).
 
(19) “Ask him and tell him a dollar stands tiptoe on the misty mountain top” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 313). 
Example 15 presents the modified version of the poem by Thomas Brown 
(1663-1704) devoted to one of his tutors at Oxford. The original poem is: “
I do not 
love thee, Doctor Fell, The reason why I cannot tell; But this I know fully well, I do 
not love thee, Doctor Fell
.” 
In example 16 Ethan puns on the title of Graham Greene's novel “The Power 
and the Glory.” 
In example 17 he alludes to the well-known nursery rhyme: “
Scissors and 
string, scissors and string, When a man single he lives like a king. Needles and pins, 
needles and pins,When a man marries, his trouble begins
.” Another modified 
version that Ethan uses in the novel is: “Ham and cheese, ham and cheese ...”. 
 
Example 18 includes the modified line from the famous song “Auld Lang 
Syne” written by Robert Burns. 
Example 19 contains a modified quotation from Shakespeare's “Romeo and 
Juliet.” Ethan uses these allusions to describe more vividly his attitude to other 
characters (ex.15), his inner state and feelings at a certain point in the narrative 
(ex. 16), the states of mind and moods of people around him (ex. 18). In example 19 
he uses allusion to bring his message across to his interlocutor in the form of a joke 
rather than as an order or a demand. Finally he succeeds in reaching his goal. 
Besides the authors and genres discussed above Ethan also alludes to fairy-
tales, proverbs, pop songs. 
(20) “Mrs. Margie is the Witch of the East. A Martini is not a drink. It's a 
potion” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 203).
 
(21) “Yes, I'm worried. Does that reassure you? I wouldn't want you to repeat 
it, but the sky is falling and a piece of it fell on my tail” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 314). 
(22) I slammed the door and shouted, “A man's bathroom is his castle.” And 
I heard her laugh. 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 309).
 
(23) I put Marullo aside and went to Margie. Margie- that gives you an idea 
of her age. “Margie, I'm always dreaming of you, Margie. I'd give the world to ...” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 166).
 
In example 20 allusion is made to the children's novel of the American writer 
L.F. Baum under the title “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Here the real name of the 
character is juxtaposed with the situational allusive name. 
Example 21 contains the quotation from the well-known folk tale “The Sky is 
Falling,” telling about chickens who were afraid of rain. Example 22 presents 

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102 
a modified version of the English proverb “A man's house is his castle.” In example 
23 Ethan alludes to a song popular in the USA in the early 1920s.
Quite often allusions of different types are used in the novel to produce ironic and 
humorous effects. These effects may be achieved through a number of techniques. First 
of all a well-known syntactic and/or rhythmic structure may be filled with some new 
lexical items as in the case of the modified line from Tennyson 
“My guilt is as the guilt 
of ten because I am a skunk” 
or modification of Brown's poem about Dr. Fell. 
Secondly part of the original quotation or even one word from it may be 
substituted by another unexpected one. The juxtaposition of the new element with 
the remaining original gives the desired effect. This happens in the case of the line 
from Burns and the quotation from Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet.” Originally it 
was “... a jocund day stands tiptoe...” and in the modified version “a dollar stands 
tiptoe...” I think that the allusions mentioned above are instances of a foregrounding 
of the specified kind. 
The change in the allusion's referent and the choice of a non-standard 
addressee for it may also result in irony and/or humour.
(24)
“I bring you tidings of great joy, my flying squirrel.” “Crazy.” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 255). 
(25) It was obvious that he forgave us all our trespasses. I never saw a boy 
accept greatness with more grace 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 323).
 
(26) “Read Moby Dick, dog. That's my advice to you.” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 15). 
In example 24 Ethan alludes to the angel's words informing the shepherds 
about the birth of Jesus Christ (Luke, 2:10). He uses these words in a conversation 
with his wife to tell her about the opportunity of their going away for the week-end 
in Marullo's car. In example 25 Ethan attributes Jesus's words (Mark, 11: 25) to his 
son Allen, describing his behaviour. In example 26 Ethan's allusion to the novel 
“Moby Dick” by H. Melville is addressed to Mr. Baker's dog. The given allusion is 
related to Ethan's ancestors who were whalers and had strict moral principles. It also 
contributes to the development of betrayal theme which is prominent in the novel. 
By using this allusion the author implies that Ethan betrayed not only his friend 
Danny, but the moral values of his ancestors. 
To achieve ironic and/or humorous effect(s) literary allusions dealing with 
lofty matters and works written in archaic language may be related to everyday, 
down-to-earth situations. In the example given below Ethan alludes to the famous 
monologue of Hamlet on eternal questions of the meaning of life and death while 
talking to his wife in the middle of the night after their making love. 
(
27
) “Good Lord! We better get to sleep.” “Ah! There's the rub – 
Shakespeare.” “You'd make a joke about anything
.” (Steinbeck, 1985: 165). 
Ethan's linguistic background is substantiated by his use of allusions in 
several languages. 
(28) 
“You'll never guess!” she said, and her hands were out, palms in, as 
though she carried a package. It was in my mind so I replied “Seo leo gif heo blades 
onbiright abit aerest hire ladteow.” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 308). 
(29) “... I tell you Alfio, to conceal your motives, tell the truth.” “What kind of 
talk you do?” “Ars est celare artem.” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 189).
 
(30) Easter Sunday breakfast is an orgy of eggs and pancakes, and bacon 
curling about everything. I crept up and patted he silk-covered fanny and said, 
“Kyrie eleison!” 
(Steinbeck, 1985: 128). 

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Example 28 contains a quotation in Old English from one of the works of the 
Roman philosopher and statesman Ancius Boethius in a translation made by King 
Alfred in the 9
th
century. In example 29 Ethan quotes in Latin, in example 30 – in 
Greek. 
Even Ethan's suits have allusive funny names. Thus, one of them is called 
Sweet George Brown and quite likely alludes to the popular American song “Sweet 
Georgia Brown.” Another one is called Dorian Grey. This name is obviously 
associated with Oscar Wilde's novel “The Picture of Dorian Grey.” 
Besides works of English and American authors Ethan also alludes to the 
works of Hans Christian Andersen, the Grimm brothers, operas of Puccini and 
Wagner, etc. So allusions are part and parcel of his life and nature. The multi-layered 
usage of allusions by the author makes the novel postmodern. It also helps to 
activate different voices and points of view, thus creating a realistic picture of 
American life in 1950s-1960s.