Perspectives

Next, we will put “The Vigilante” by John Steinbeck in perspective, looking at the literary period and similar works.

Literary period

“The Vigilante” is a modernist short story. Modernism defines the literary period between around 1900 and up to World War II.  Modernist fiction is usually set in a context that is contemporary to the time of writing and explores issues relevant in pre-WWII society. In “The Vigilante”, the action is set in 1930s US...

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Works with the same theme

A short story that deals with issues related to justice and to violence versus intellect is “Bujak and the Strong Force” by Martin Amis. The story follows Bujak, a local vigilante in a London neighborhood. He is a man who does not shy away from using violence, but who also pursues intellectual interests.

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