John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck (ジョン・スタインベック,) is a former member of the Guild. Since the dissolution of the Guild after the war, he temporarily leads the Surviving Guild Forces. His ability is named The Grapes of Wrath.

Appearance
Steinbeck is the prettiest man in Bungou Stray Dogs, with an average height and build, with short blonde hair and blue eyes. He wears a flat cap on top of his head, a white shirt with his sleeves pulled up a bit, a blue overall with a black belt, and dark boots. He carries with himself a raw potato and a, a tool he uses in order to activate his ability. He also has long, blonde eyelashes that add to his attractiveness.

Personality
Steinbeck appears to be a relaxed and easygoing man, casually commenting about the countryside and talking with his boyfriend, Howard Phillips Lovecraft, without minding being heard. His ability grants him great confidence in himself, enough to spend time talking to his enemies, which can also be his downfall.

He claims to hate chores, trying to save himself some trouble while doing them, which demonstrates that he is a cunning person. Nevertheless, he is in no way a lazy person, as he is capable enough to carry the missions given to him. Although he may be polite and kind, he shows no regard for his enemies, claiming to not care about what he has to do to them. At the same time, he is not an entirely bad person, driven by motivation of doing his job for his family.

Ability
Steinbeck's ability, The Grapes of Wrath (怒りの葡萄,) allows Steinbeck to grow grapevines from any part of his body. By grafting the vines attached to his body to other plants, the flora in the entire vicinity becomes an extension of his body.

His own branches, as well as the others from the flora, can be used as a means to capture and hold a person or object with tremendous strength, as well as shield him from attacks.

He can even combine his ability with Q's, due to the fact that Q's ability is cursing people who hurt them. Fitzgerald's emergency plan involved both of their abilities: Steinbeck using his Grapes of Wrath to connect the plants directly into Q's body, affecting their sense of touch. Thus, when a person harms a plant in any way, it hurts Q, causing the person to get cursed.

Background
Prior to joining the Guild, Steinbeck was a farmer in North America. It is implied that his large family was poor during such time.

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald
Though he is one of the Guild's members, he hates Fitzgerald due to his endless ambition and arrogance.

Appearances
{{Appearance
 * Chapters =

The Guild Arc

 * Chapter 18 - Flowers and Autumn Leaves, Snow and Gold
 * Chapter 19 - The Three-Way Battle
 * Chapter 22 - The Strategy of Conflict
 * Chapter 23 - The Grapes of Wrath Ripen in His Eyes, Part 1
 * Chapter 24 - The Grapes of Wrath Ripen in His Eyes, Part 2
 * Chapter 26 - Will of Tycoon (image)
 * Chapter 27 - Upon the Shattering Shores
 * Chapter 28 - The Emergancy Plan
 * Chapter 30 - The Silent Tower and the Raven's Feast
 * Chapter 31 - The Twin Darkness
 * Chapter 33 - A White Whale, into the Oceans of Heaven
 * Chapter 37 - Closing the Party

The Guild Aftermath Arc

 * Chapter 44 - Fitzgerald Rising
 * Episodes=

The Guild Arc
}}
 * Episode 17 - Three Companies Conflict
 * Episode 18 - The Strategy of Conflict
 * Episode 19 - Will of Tycoon
 * Episode 20 - Though the Mind May Be Wrong
 * Episode 21 - Double Black
 * Episode 22 - Part 1: Poe and Rampo; Part 2: Moby Dick, Swimming in the Sky
 * Episode 24 - If I May Shed Away My Burden Now

Quotes

 * (to Q) "Well, some people have money and power, some people sob in pain under the ground, and some people are ordered to torture little children. But that's how it is. That's the dirty logic adults use."
 * (to Q) "You were in pain because you were born as yourself. As long as you were born with that ability, this was the only way it could have played out. There is a God out there, but I'm afraid He doesn't love you."

Etymology

 * The name John is of Hebrew origin meaning "graced by God".
 * The surname Steinbeck is of South German origin being an occupational name for a "".

Trivia

 * He made an appearance in the mobile game "Kimito Lead Puzzle 18" as a stage boss and a limited-time character.
 * The name of his siblings is based on the actual characters from The Grapes of Wrath.
 * Rose of Sharon - she was depicted as a pregnant woman.
 * Ruthie - the younger sister who Steinbeck spoiled the most
 * Winfield - probably missing a teeth or two
 * He seems to like eating potatoes.
 * John is actually good at making impressions.
 * Much like Tanizaki, he cherishes his own little sister quite a lot, constantly spoiling her.
 * Steinbeck is formerly a farmer before joining the Guild similar to Tom Joad, the main character from the real-life John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.