In Search of America by John Steinbeck

In Part Two of the novel Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck, he talks about the wastefulness of American society and how the mountains of things we throw away are much greater than the things we use. In this, if in no other way, we can see the wild and reckless exuberance of our production, and waste seems to be the index. What are some other examples in the story where Steinbeck clearly focuses on the wastefulness of American society that masquerades as convenience? After reading the text, do you feel that Steinbeck agrees or disagrees with the American shift toward convenience? What are other negative sides that are shown of America?