Set in a small New England town, it tells the story of Ethan Allen Hawley, a once-respected and honorable man who becomes disillusioned with his life and succumbs to moral compromise and corruption in pursuit of material success. The title is a reference to Shakespeare's play "Richard III," emphasizing the sense of discontent and moral decay prevalent in the story. Steinbeck's exploration of the human condition and the consequences of ethical compromise make this novel a thought-provoking commentary on the American Dream and the compromises people make in its pursuit.