Superorganism In John Steinbeck's The Grapes Of Wrath

I believe that the author’s life experiences influenced and interests influenced the book's message. “In the summer of 1923, Steinbeck enrolled in a biology course at Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove and there became familiar with the ideas of WIlliam Emerson Fitter, and found himself especially enamored with Ritter’s concept of the super-organism.” Superorganism refers to “an organized society (as of a social insect) that functions as an organic whole.” This term “is used most often to describe a social unit of eusocial animals, where division of labour is highly specialised and where individuals are not able to survive by themselves for extended periods.” Second was his interest in “group behavior.” Group behavior alludes to how “people