Final answer:
John Steinbeck means that stories often present characters, situations, and actions as either entirely good or entirely evil, with no gray areas or moral ambiguity. However, in reality, people and situations are rarely purely good or evil; there are usually shades of gray and complexities that exist.
Step-by-step explanation:
When John Steinbeck says there are "no in-between" things in stories, he means that stories often present characters, situations, and actions as either entirely good or entirely evil, with no gray areas or moral ambiguity. This black and white portrayal helps to simplify the storytelling process and make the themes and messages of the story clearer to the reader. However, in reality, people and situations are rarely purely good or evil; there are usually shades of gray and complexities that exist. Therefore, I do not completely agree with Steinbeck's statement. While stories may use this approach for dramatic effect and clarity, it is important to recognize that real life is filled with moral complexities and shades of gray.