In Steinbeck's novel The Winter...
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In Steinbeck's novel The Winter of Our Discontent, Ethan Hawley betrays the secret of his employer, Alfio Marullo. In an attempt to lay an elaborate plot to get Marullo's business, Hawley informs the government Marullo had come to this country illegally. When he is informed that he is to be deported, Marullo graciously gives his business to Hawley, who he believes is an outstanding example of American integrity and the American dream. In a short time Hawley awakens to the realization that in destroying a man who was expendable because he was a "Catholic and a wop," Hawley had destroyed something of himself. In siezing on what he believed was the weakness of his neighbor, he uncovered the good of his neighbor and exposed his own guilt. The First Epistle of Peter reminds us that we can neither manage nor manipulate our guilt. In Christ we not only deal realistically with our guilt, but we are made free from it and discover the resource for loving our neighbors.
