John Steinbeck's early literary career was influenced by a combination of personal experiences and the socio-economic landscape of the American West. Growing up in California during the Great Depression, he witnessed the struggles of migrant workers and the harsh realities of economic hardship. His interactions with these communities encouraged him to write about social injustices and the human condition. Steinbeck's education and diverse jobs, including as a laborer, provided him with insights essential to his storytelling. These experiences culminated in major works like "The Grapes of Wrath," emphasizing the importance of empathy and social consciousness in literature.