Where did John Steinbeck live when he was growing up and how did that influence his writing

Steinbeck grew up in this beautiful, fertile California valley.

Explanation:

Steinbeck grew up in this beautiful, fertile California valley, where he found the material for most of his novels. His imagination was kindled by writing at a very early age partly because his mother, the schoolteacher, read to him from the famous literature of the world.

cockroaches and rats often are a symbol for things that are disgusting or vile. though i don't know which play you are talking about, i hope this !