Steinbeck commenced writing The Red Pony relatively early in his career. His letters reveal that he was working on a pony story as early as 1933. The first two parts of the story sequence, "The Gift" and "The Great Mountains," were published in the North American Review in November and December of that year. The third segment, "The Promise," was not published until 1937 in Harpers, and all three parts were compiled into a slim volume that same year. "The Leader of the People," the final section, was included in his story collection The Long Valley in 1938. However, manuscript and textual evidence suggest that the later sections were written not long after the first two stories. The four sections are unified by shared characters, settings, and themes, creating a cohesive story sequence that was eventually published separately as The Red Pony in 1945. A moderately successful film adaptation, for which Steinbeck wrote the screenplay, was released in 1949.

The Red Pony is considered one of Steinbeck's finest works. This story sequence captures Jody's journey into adulthood with a blend of realism and sensitivity, a balance that Steinbeck did not always achieve. The portrayal of characters struggling against the harshness of nature is counterbalanced by their profound human concerns and commitments.

1. The name Jody gives his red pony, like many names in the book, holds significant meaning. Why does Jody select the Spanish name Gabilan?

2. The Red Pony was purchased at the bankruptcy sale of a traveling carnival. Why is this detail important?

3. When The Red Pony dies, who does Jody hold responsible? What is the significance of his youthful anger?

4. The second story also addresses death, focusing on an old man's passing. What does Gitano's dignified death teach Jody?

5. In the third story, why is it significant that the birth of Jody's colt results in the death of the loyal mare?

6. Steinbeck compiled the stories that constitute The Red Pony over several years. How does the progression of stories enhance the overall meaning of the book?

7. The natural setting plays a crucial role in the sequence. What are the intricate relationships between nature and human nature in the work?

8. Jody is the central figure in The Red Pony, but his interactions with other characters shape his personality. Trace the pattern of character relationships in the book and demonstrate how they contribute to Jody's development.

9. Illustrate how the final section of The Red Pony expands the story sequence to a more universal interpretation as a fable of America's lost youth and innocence, and the erosion of the American Dream on the frontier.

10. What impact does Jody's grandfather have on the formation of his emerging character?