The Winter of Our Discontent, by John Steinbeck, tells the story of Ethan Allen Hawley, a man from a family that was once very wealthy but fell to misfortune. He dreams of the glory days, but he resigns himself to working as a clerk in a grocery store until, under pressure from the townspeople, he becomes determined to rebuild his family fortune, no matter what the cost. Danny has his boss, who is an undocumented immigrant, deported so that he can purchase the grocery store. However, his boss, oblivious to Ethan’s involvement in the matter, rewards his honesty and good work and gives him the store. Then Ethan has a plot of land taken from Danny Taylor, his ex-best friend and the town drunk. Danny, who is also clueless to Ethan’s involvement in the matter, kills himself and wills Ethan the land.

Though Ethan restores the family’s wealth and rebuilds his reputation with the townspeople, he begins to feel remorseful over his actions. Then he learns that his son won an essay contest by plagiarizing the essay. He also learns that his son feels no remorse over his actions—he explains to his father that everyone cheats to gain advantage. Ethan sinks into depression and plans to kill himself. Then he finds a family talisman that he gives to his daughter, as he believes she is the only untainted member of his family and thus the only one who can restore the family to honor.