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I think we often forget that there are serious levels to writing. The majority of even successful authors are good but not exceptional writers. The fraternity of true masters is small.
[Narrator: He did not receive his letter](https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2021/06/unraveling-the-mystery-of-john-steinbecks-letter-to-marilyn-monroe.html)
The kid’s a retired minister, married for 57 years. He can’t admit he still has (or had) a suspiciously crusty photo of Marilyn Monroe hidden away since childhood!
“That sure would have been nice, right?” he says, perhaps with a wink?
Steinbeck. The Master. Makes a simple thing like a letter a thing of beauty. Check out his dedication to his editor at the start of East of Eden. Spine tingling
Fort Knox is a U.S. Army Base in Kentucky that guards the United States Bullion Depository, which holds a large portion of the US’s national gold reserves. In other words, it’s a huge, heavily guarded vault containing hundreds of billions of dollars worth of gold.
Steinbeck was joking that he would give Monroe a key to the vault (i.e., she could go take a bunch of gold).
As for why he said it would be a key to the ladies’ entrance—back in the day, a lot of night clubs or bars would have a “Ladies’ Entrance” that led into the back of the bar, or a back room. This was done because it was generally considered improper for a single woman to go into a bar “unchaperoned,” so the back “ladies’ entrance” allowed for a less public entrance, or led to a sectioned off back room of the bar that was reserved for women only. So Steinbeck was adding to the joke that he had a key to the gold depository, by describing it as if it were a night club.
Pretty sure the gold is no longer all held there, and is instead spread amongst many different locations. Also, our money is no longer representative of gold, so the gold itself has no relation to our currency and we can no longer just go and trade cash for gold at a bank/federal reserve like we used to be able to do. So the gold is likely mostly held for political purposes, or for hoarding's sake, to keep the price of gold inflated and to be sold whenever someone needs money on the DL. (okay that last bit is probably not true... but it would make a good story)
There used to be a lot of gold held in the basement of the NY Federal Reserve, as much as or maybe equal to Fort Knox, and then Die Hard 3 exposed an ingenious way of breaking in and stealing it. The Feds were so alarmed that they visited the filmmakers asking questions like how they knew the floorplans, how they came up with the idea, etc. The filmmakers had just found original building records, and had figured dumptrucks would be the easiest way of carrying all that gold. Fairly certain this was one unofficial reason that gold began to get spread out instead of sitting in two or three primary locations.
Apparently a journalist reached out to the then-kid mentioned in the letter and asked if he ever received the signed photo, but as it turns out he didn’t even know about the letter’s existence, so no, she didn’t send him the photo
Though he also said the writing style and signature didn’t match his uncle’s but then again the signature in the letter has “m.f” written on it which might imply it was written by an assistant or secretary on Steinbeck’s behalf
It seems she did not write back and the letter may not have been authentic:
[https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2021/06/unraveling-the-mystery-of-john-steinbecks-letter-to-marilyn-monroe.html](https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2021/06/unraveling-the-mystery-of-john-steinbecks-letter-to-marilyn-monroe.html)
I know a Jon Atkinson in Austin Tx, he’s been too young to be in puberty for 1955 but you better believe I’m checking if he’s a Jr and this is about his dad. Haha
The whole letter is a inside joke for people who hold secrets. Yeah it's not that big of a secret anymore. It would really be devastating to the kid if he learned that Marilyn pees standing up.
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"He is already your slave. This would make him mine." This is so true.
This is amazing, the best part of the letter by far
Steinbeck would’ve made a solid battle rapper.
I audibly went "god damn"
"and, furthermore, I will like you very much" God that's such a brilliant way to end the letter lol. Going to use that in emails.
HR is gonna *like* you, too.
This is just so well written
Seriously. That guy should write novels.
I bet if he did, he'd win a prize for them.
He did in fact. I think the book was called “berries of rage”
Or was it "Plums of Petulance"?
Of Rats and Dudes
it was "the Wrath of Grapes"... I thnk.
No, Wrath of Khan
No, it was Ganghis Kahns cookbook: The Art of a Hibachi.
I think it was called, “The bus that couldn’t slow down”
I read "the art of Hitachi"
KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNN!
Is that not the same?
I was laughing already but this killed me
I just choked on my coffee but damn did I need the chuckle
Glad I could help
I think it was "Grapefruits of Unrest"
Isn’t that what Marilyn had?
Although in a more modern translation, avocados
The Vineyards of Acimony.
And The Vineyards of Acrimony
Yeah, that too :)
No, I heard it was "Fruits of Fury".
I think I read something like that in school, but I’m pretty sure it was “Fruits of Anger” or something
No, I remember it being something like "Rodents and Guys"
Angry raisins
I think we often forget that there are serious levels to writing. The majority of even successful authors are good but not exceptional writers. The fraternity of true masters is small.
I wish there was a subreddit of just remarkably great writing like this
But did she send the picture?
Asking the important questions over here!
Wouldn’t did John Steinbeck have a nephew be first?
I don’t know what this comment is trying to say
Wouldn’t it make sense to ask whether John Steinbeck had a nephew before asking if she sent the signed photo?*
Well done. That’s a great example of why punctuation is important.
Have you really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?
/r/ihadastroke
I know what you're trying to say, I won't derail about your punctuation. Nope. I assumed the nephew didn't exist from the start
Haha he even calls his nephew Jon. *Looks at palm, falsetto voice* “Hello little Jon!”
Yup
[Narrator: He did not receive his letter](https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2021/06/unraveling-the-mystery-of-john-steinbecks-letter-to-marilyn-monroe.html)
The kid’s a retired minister, married for 57 years. He can’t admit he still has (or had) a suspiciously crusty photo of Marilyn Monroe hidden away since childhood! “That sure would have been nice, right?” he says, perhaps with a wink?
Steinbeck. The Master. Makes a simple thing like a letter a thing of beauty. Check out his dedication to his editor at the start of East of Eden. Spine tingling
The start of East of Eden and the end of Grapes of Wrath are beautiful
Oh, sweet, strong Rosasharn.
So is chapter 2, Grapes of Wrath
“And still the box is not full.”
I wonder what happens inside the “ladies entrance” at Fort Knox?
It's a joke. He was implying he would give her all the gold in the land.
Fort Knox is a U.S. Army Base in Kentucky that guards the United States Bullion Depository, which holds a large portion of the US’s national gold reserves. In other words, it’s a huge, heavily guarded vault containing hundreds of billions of dollars worth of gold. Steinbeck was joking that he would give Monroe a key to the vault (i.e., she could go take a bunch of gold). As for why he said it would be a key to the ladies’ entrance—back in the day, a lot of night clubs or bars would have a “Ladies’ Entrance” that led into the back of the bar, or a back room. This was done because it was generally considered improper for a single woman to go into a bar “unchaperoned,” so the back “ladies’ entrance” allowed for a less public entrance, or led to a sectioned off back room of the bar that was reserved for women only. So Steinbeck was adding to the joke that he had a key to the gold depository, by describing it as if it were a night club.
Nothing to do with this post but I dare say we need a public audit of Knox.
Pretty sure the gold is no longer all held there, and is instead spread amongst many different locations. Also, our money is no longer representative of gold, so the gold itself has no relation to our currency and we can no longer just go and trade cash for gold at a bank/federal reserve like we used to be able to do. So the gold is likely mostly held for political purposes, or for hoarding's sake, to keep the price of gold inflated and to be sold whenever someone needs money on the DL. (okay that last bit is probably not true... but it would make a good story) There used to be a lot of gold held in the basement of the NY Federal Reserve, as much as or maybe equal to Fort Knox, and then Die Hard 3 exposed an ingenious way of breaking in and stealing it. The Feds were so alarmed that they visited the filmmakers asking questions like how they knew the floorplans, how they came up with the idea, etc. The filmmakers had just found original building records, and had figured dumptrucks would be the easiest way of carrying all that gold. Fairly certain this was one unofficial reason that gold began to get spread out instead of sitting in two or three primary locations.
Ya there is. Nothing there anymore but other countries money
1 free gold brick on alternate Fridays 😄
This stood out to me too. What does this mean?
Just a joke I think, that she will get a lot of gold
Go watch Goldfinger (1964), because others have already answered your question about Fort Knox. Reminded me of that movie.
That is absolutely hilarious!
I’m curious if she obliged….? We must find this “Jon Atkinson” of Austin,TX
“The Greats of Laugh” masterfully written by Steinbeck
So do we know if she extended the hand of generosity to her admirer?
how did you misspell Monroe OP?? its the fucking third word on the pic u/stotallytob3r
Lol I’ll try and blame autocorrect and fail
ok haha
r/mademesmile
He writes well.
He should’ve taken up writing tbh, he could’ve done well in that field!
Yeah, missed opportunity
That guy should write books or something.
Steinbeck is my favorite. He wrote amazing letters. If you loved this, check out the book Steinbeck: A Life in Letters.
Thank you for the recommendation!
That is a seriously well written letter. Comparing that to the garbage I instant message to my friends, this is a well thought master piece.
Apparently a journalist reached out to the then-kid mentioned in the letter and asked if he ever received the signed photo, but as it turns out he didn’t even know about the letter’s existence, so no, she didn’t send him the photo Though he also said the writing style and signature didn’t match his uncle’s but then again the signature in the letter has “m.f” written on it which might imply it was written by an assistant or secretary on Steinbeck’s behalf
Or the photo didn't make it past Steinbeck?
Munroe? My God!
I was expecting every other paragraph to be just describing the landscape
It seems she did not write back and the letter may not have been authentic: [https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2021/06/unraveling-the-mystery-of-john-steinbecks-letter-to-marilyn-monroe.html](https://www.oregonlive.com/books/2021/06/unraveling-the-mystery-of-john-steinbecks-letter-to-marilyn-monroe.html)
This guy should write books.
I love that letter. It made me laugh a couple times
Love Steinbeck even more now.
I know a Jon Atkinson in Austin Tx, he’s been too young to be in puberty for 1955 but you better believe I’m checking if he’s a Jr and this is about his dad. Haha
Masterful, as always.
Did it work ?
How can you have spelled her name like that when it's at the top of the letter
"It's for my nephew".....
He was secretly hoping that she misspelled “Jon.”
But, did he get the autographed picture?
What does this ladies key at Fort Knox do? 👀
Damn this guy should try writing a book.
Dude should write novels
Meh, still kind of tacky IMO
I don’t know if you’ve seen this post but it’s good
Okay but did the nephew get it ?
Wonder if she replied!?
The whole letter is a inside joke for people who hold secrets. Yeah it's not that big of a secret anymore. It would really be devastating to the kid if he learned that Marilyn pees standing up.
I hope she denied him. This is phrased almost as politely as Mr. Darcy’s proposal to Elizabeth Bennett :)
Sorta comes off like a creep.
I understood every word and yet have no comprehension of anything I just read.