Significant events that influenced John Steinbeck's writing include the impacts of the Great Depression and his experiences as a migrant worker. His empathy for the working class shaped novels like "The Grapes of Wrath," which portrays the struggles of displaced families. Steinbeck's encounters with social injustices and poverty during this era inform his narrative style and character development, emphasizing human resilience. Additionally, his travels across California provided rich material for his observations on economic disparity and community bonds. These experiences deepen his exploration of themes such as survival, identity, and the quest for the American Dream.