Steinbeck’s legacy can be seen in the broader literary landscape, where his emphasis on social justice, empathy, and the resilience of the human spirit continues to shape the work of writers across genres and backgrounds. From contemporary classics like Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner” to debut novels like Angie Thomas’s “The Hate U Give,” Steinbeck’s influence reverberates through stories that seek to illuminate the complexities of the human experience with honesty and compassion.