"I do. I hate people who use money to control others but he relied on that money to save his family. Though when you look at where that got him in the end. Well, you know. " |
John Ernst[6] Steinbeck (ジョン・スタインベック, Jon Sutainbekku?) is a former member of the Guild. Since the dissolution of the Guild after the war, he temporarily leads the Surviving Guild Forces.[3] His ability is named The Grapes of Wrath.
Appearance
Steinbeck is a young man 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 Buck Model 110 pocket knife, a tool he uses in order to activate his ability.
After the Guild war, he wears a different outfit consisting of white top and pants. He wears a footwear similar to of buckle boots and an overcoat over his clothes.[3]
.png "Steinbeck using the vines as crutches (manga).png (120 KB)")
.png "Steinbeck after the Guild War (manga).png (118 KB)")
Personality
Steinbeck appears to be a relaxed and easygoing man, casually commenting about the countryside and talking with his partner, 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.[7][8]
Ability
- Main article: The Grapes of Wrath
Steinbeck's ability, The Grapes of Wrath (
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.[7]
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.[9]
| The Grapes of Wrath ( | ||
|
Manga Debut: | Chapter 23 |
|---|---|---|
| Anime Debut: | Episode 19 | |
| Ability: | Grapevine Manipulation | |
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.[7]
Battles
- Main article: List of Battles
|
Doppo Kunikida and Jun'ichirō Tanizaki vs. John Steinbeck and Howard Phillips Lovecraft | Lose |
|
Chūya Nakahara and Osamu Dazai vs. John Steinbeck and Howard Phillips Lovecraft | Lose |
Appearances
- 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
- Chapter 44 - Fitzgerald Rising
- 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."[9]
- (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."[9]
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 "mason".
Namesake
- Main article: Real-life References#John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck (February 27, 1902 – FDecember 20, 1968)
|
Trivia
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From left to right: Winfield, Ruthie, Rose of Sharon, and Steinbeck.
- The name of his siblings is based on the actual characters from The Grapes of Wrath.
- Steinbeck can do impressions of people.[11]
- 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.
References
- ↑ Bungo Stray Dogs Manga: Chapter 37.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Bungo Stray Dogs Manga: Volume 7.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bungo Stray Dogs Manga: Chapter 44.
- ↑ Bungo Stray Dogs Manga: Chapter 18.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Bungo Stray Dogs Manga: Volume 6.
- ↑ CHARACTER 主要キャラクターを紹介 | 『文豪ストレイドッグス』— KADOKAWA official website (in Japanese).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Bungo Stray Dogs Manga: Chapter 23.
- ↑ Bungo Stray Dogs Manga: Chapter 24.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Bungo Stray Dogs Manga: Chapter 28.
- ↑ Bungo Stray Dogs Manga: Volume 9, Author Guide.
- ↑ Bungo Stray Dogs Manga: Chapter 22.