The implied theme of 'Breakfast' by John Steinbeck can be seen running throughout the work. Although it is never overtly referred to, there are always references to it in the background. In this way, the message or the theme will be left for the reader to work out for themselves from the many clues left for them through the characterization, dialog and settings.
In 'Breakfast', the hidden, underlying theme seems to be that if an individual is happy within him or herself, everything else is just secondary. Things such as wealth, job security and owning your own home does not matter if you cannot find happiness within yourself.
The underlying message running throughout the story suggests that materialistic success, in the sense of owning loads of stuff and having a huge home, does not equate to happiness. The theme seems to be 'money cannot buy happiness'. In the same way, the Beatles once sang: "Money can't buy me love," so the messages are quite similar.
John Steinbeck seems to have drawn on personal experience here as he shares his vision of the world with his reader. He did not grow up in a rich family and struggled through many times in his life and career, but because he found happiness within himself and those around him, he became a real success in his own eyes.
That is why there are also a lot of allegorical references in the story as it implies that individuals need to put their trust in God and their lives will be enriched with happiness.
In 'Breakfast', the hidden, underlying theme seems to be that if an individual is happy within him or herself, everything else is just secondary. Things such as wealth, job security and owning your own home does not matter if you cannot find happiness within yourself.
The underlying message running throughout the story suggests that materialistic success, in the sense of owning loads of stuff and having a huge home, does not equate to happiness. The theme seems to be 'money cannot buy happiness'. In the same way, the Beatles once sang: "Money can't buy me love," so the messages are quite similar.
John Steinbeck seems to have drawn on personal experience here as he shares his vision of the world with his reader. He did not grow up in a rich family and struggled through many times in his life and career, but because he found happiness within himself and those around him, he became a real success in his own eyes.
That is why there are also a lot of allegorical references in the story as it implies that individuals need to put their trust in God and their lives will be enriched with happiness.
