John Steinbeck's final novel, "The Winter of Our Discontent," delves into the moral struggles of Ethan Allen Hawley, a descendant of a prominent New England family working as a grocery clerk. Set in the fictional town of New Baytown, the story explores Ethan's conflict between maintaining his integrity and succumbing to the pervasive corruption and greed of his community. Steinbeck masterfully portrays the erosion of traditional American values, the pursuit of wealth, and the compromises individuals make in their quest for success and belonging in a rapidly changing society, offering a poignant commentary on the American Dream.