Theme Analysis

In last week's blog response, I asked you to select a theme that "hit home" with you the most. Now that you have set your sights on a theme you would most like work with some more, it is time to test your skills of analysis. Scan through the last chapter (6) in Of Mice and Men and see if you can pull out a moment from the text that, upon close reading, says something about your selected theme.

For example, imagine that I am a student who was most interested in the theme of "The American Dream." When scanning chapter 6 I came across this moment in the text:

"A water snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its periscope head from side to side; and it swam the length of the pool and came to the legs of a motionless heron that stood in the shallows. A silent head and beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head, and the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically."

Next, try to analyze how this moment is somehow connected to the theme you have chosen. It mights sound something like:
One of the final images of setting that Steinbeck offers us in Of Mice and Men involves a snake being eaten unexpectedly by a taller, silent bird. The snake "gliding smoothly up the pool" is similar to an American citizen in the 1930s attempting to work their way towards a goal of prosperity. The snake moves its way around obstacles as it sees them, just like a hardworking citizen has to jump some hurdles in the pursuit of their dream. However, the unfortunate truth of the matter is that "The American Dream" is beyond the grasp of most people because of unforeseen enemies to their progress. The tall heron might be a symbol for the more powerful upper or dominant class of society silently waiting in the shadows. The heron ultimately swallows the snake, and in the same light, many Americans dreams are snatched from American people in ways that they do not suspect.


  A theme that hit home with me most was on page 99, "Already the sun had left the valley to go climbing up the slopes of the of the Gabilan mountains, and the hilltops were rosy in the sun."
This quote shows us how in Of Mice And Men the sun had began setting and only the tips of the hills were left shining.  The sun "climbing up the slopes of the Gabilan mountains" leaving only nightfall behind, is similar to an American Citizen in the 1930's while they would either climb to find some food, for shelter products, or even for survival during The Great Depression. The hilltops were as rosy in the sun just as compared to how great the white people compared to the blacks during racism times. These hilltops and mountains and glazing sunsets are all signs of destiny, and with "The American Dream", these signs are destined to reality.

Chapter 6 Note Taking

Question: Does George have anger problems? Why did he have a gun and why would he want to kill Lennie?


Summary: In the last chaper of Of Mice And Men, George had killed Lennie by shooting him in the head with a gun. He did that because he had seen Lennie talking to his aunt. That is when things got crazy, and no one knew where Lennie was except for him. Meanwhile , things just blew over and they guys from the bunk went and got a drink with George.


Prediction:  My prediction would be that George is feeling some type of guilt or regret about what he did. Also maybe all that guilt and regret will eat at him inside and he will just admit what he did.

Novel Reaction: Thinking Forward

We have investigated many captivating themes that exist in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men over the last few weeks. You have explored the desperation and poverty of the American 1930s through pictures and video. You have witnessed how John Steinbeck used naturalism to portray certain characters as "human beasts" acting on impulsiveness and instinct for self-preservation. You have examined how the author used literary devices such as sentimentalism, diction, tone, parallelism, and foreshadowing in order to propel these themes. You have close-read and analyzed the text digging deeper and deeper for evidence of themes such as Power vs. Powerlessness, Individual vs. Community, The American Dream, Euthanasia, Racism, Loneliness, and maybe even a little Sexism. Pat yourself on the back! You have been critically thinking about this novella on so many different levels.

For this week's blog response, you need to make some pretty serious decisions! We are quickly approaching the time where you will be expected to write your Research Paper based on a topic of interest from Of Mice and Men. If you have been keeping up with your reading, completing your notes, participating in conversations and activities during class on the various themes, and completing your blog responses this choice will be fairly easy! If not, you may be in for a struggle....
What topic or theme that we have touched on during this unit has "hit home" with you the most? Which theme or topic has a personal connection for you? Which did you find most captivating or interesting to discuss and investigate during this unit? Select a topic/theme from the list above that peaks your interest, and, in this week's blog response, discuss why you find it fascinating, which moment in the story you think about when reflecting on this theme, and how this theme is relevant in today's world.

The topic or theme that has "hit home" with me the most is The American Dream. Just to imagine that during this time, people had this amazing image of what is a perfect life and everyone wanted it since everyone was going through the Great Depression. The American Dream has a personal connection with me, because my family in Puerto Rico has always had this "American Dream" that wasn't their reality. My family still wishes for this dream and to have the perfect life but it's just not practical for them. The American Dream was the most interesting to discuss in class, because I knew of the American Dream but I didn't fully understand it. Now I understand that it was such a hard time back then to get a job and then everyone wanted this American Dream and they had to leave behind their families and hope they can make it California. In the story, The American Dream is portrayed through all the chapters so far. In the beginning Lennie and George specifically talk about going to have this amazing life in San Francisco. Then they actually make it all the way to find work and it shows that they pretty much achieved The American Dream. I think this theme is still relevant in today's world especially with the economy. In other Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Trinidad and any other islands have many people that wish everyday for The American Dream. Some of them wish they can give more to their families then they can in the islands they live in now.

Chapter 5 Note Taking

Questions: Why is Lennie concerned so much about tending the rabbits? He should make sure they going to get the farm first. Why would George be so mean and tell him that there going to get their own farm? Why does Lennie still talk to Curly's wife even when he's not supposed to? Do you think that Lennie should have slept with her even before she was died? Why when he broke Curlys wife neck he took the dead puppy? If Curly said he wants to kill Lennie , would Lennie win in a fight?
Prediction: I think now Lennie is going to die, because everyone is against him, even if he is mental. Also, George would be the one to protect him like he says he promised. Maybe after they kill him,  George will have nobody and he can finally get a girlfriend and spend some time with her. Also if he dies he might really get a farm in memory for him.
Summarize:   So far in Chapter 5 all the guys went out to go to a whore house , and they left Lennie, Crooks, and Candy by their self. Lennie killed Curlys wife by breaking her neck because he was playing with her soft hair. After Lennie noticed she was dead, he took the dead puppy that he also killed and went to the hiding place George told him to go to. Everyone thinks that he did it out of meanness which he didn't. Curly is really upset and now wants to kill George.

Portrait of Racism

Chapter 4 in Of Mice and Man, paints a very realistic portrait of racism in the 1930s. Discuss at least two ways in which racism is explored in this chapter. Include quotes and your own analysis of key moments in this chapter that clearly demonstrate the racism that existed in the American 1930s. What do readers understand about racism as a result of reading this chapter?
 


In Chapter 4 in Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck portrays racism through a certain character. Right away, the reader discovers who Crooks really is. He's a hard working man but he tells Lennie that he isn't allowed in the bunkhouse. On page 68," 'Cause I'm black. They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say I stink. Well, I tell you, all of you stink to me." It's ridiculous that this poor man isn't allowed in the bunkhouse because he's a different skin tone then the rest of them. The other guys in the bunkhouse speak of him like he's useless or trash. Curley's wife treats and talks to him very rudely and as if she has so much more power over him just because she's white.

Readers understand about racism as a result of reading this chapter, that in this time period of the 1930s segregation and the whole racism concept was very active. Crooks goes through racism throughout this chapter while he can't be in the bunkhouse and when Curley's wife talks to him inappropriately.

Investing Themes in Of Mice and men

Choose one of the following questions that interests you most to respond to in this week’s blog post:

1.) What different forms of power exist in Of Mice and Men? What kind of power does Lennie have? What kind of power does George have? What kinds of power or powerlessness do other characters possess?

2.) What kind of relationship do George and Lennie have? Is their relationship a friendship? How does this relationship express Steinbeck’s position on the individual versus the community?

3.) Is the American Dream a real possibility in the story? If yes, what characters, symbols, events, or other details from the story confirm that the American Dream is within reach? If not, what characters, symbols, events, or other details from the story represent the American Dream as out of reach? 
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1) What different forms of power exist in Of Mice and Men? What kind of power does Lennie have? What kind of power does George have? What kinds of power or powerlessness do other characters possess?


The different forms that exist in Of Mice and Men are physical power and mental and social power within an individual. For example, Lennie has physical power and we know this because he crushed Curley's hand and probably broke a few bones. The downfall about Lennie is he has no self-desicion. If George wouldn't have told him to let go of Curley's hand, Lennie would of kept crushing his hand. Lennie has no self control and unless someone gives him an order to do something or to stop he will just keep going. On the other hand, George has mental and social power. George has a way with words that Lennie doesn't and he can get him and Lennie out of sticky situations with his smoothe words. George always knows exactly what to say and how to say it. He covered up for Lennie when they arrived at the bunkhouse the boss asked why Lennie wasn't talking much and George covered up for Lennie with his quick thinking.
George is very powerful because he has Lennie to bring along with him everywhere and he has to take care of him because of his mental disability. Lennie wouldn't be able to fend for himself if he were alone. During this time period it is already stressful but George also has Lennie to add on to all of the stress.
Curley posses social powerfullness because he is the boss's son, he has more advantage over the ranch then annyone else. Curley is known around the barn but I don't think he has physical strength. The reader knows this because he was a former lightweight fighter.

Chapter 4 Note Taking

Question:Write down the names of characters involved, as well as where and when the story is taking place at this point in the text. Next, write down questions you have about the story or characters, and any questions about the reading that you did not understand and would like clarification.

  Prediction: Write down your prediction for what you think will happen next in the story. Don’t forget to explain what happened in this chapter that helped you form this prediction.
Connection: Write down anything that you found familiar: either a situation you have experienced, a character that reminds you of someone, or an event from the story that is similar to something you have already read. *Remember to use good technology ethics! Do not expose names of people anyone could or would know. Use good judgement!

Summarize: Re-tell, in your own words, the main plot and important details of your reading. Your summary should not be more than about a paragraph, or 5-7 sentences.

Reflect: Write down any quotes, sayings, or moments that affect you in some way. So far, what do you think is the reason the author wrote this book? Are there any themes you recognize? Do you like the book so far? Why or why not? What changes could be made so that you understand or connect with the story better?
 Question: Why cant nobody enter into crooks room. Is he the only black person working there. If he wasn't would each black person get their own room? Just because he's different color, why cant they take him out? is there a law? He has been their for a long time to be treated like that , i would expect him to be consider like family. How can Curley's wife make crooks, hang up a tree? Who would be anything that comes out her mouth. How come George didn't bring Lennie out of town? Do you think that curley's wife regrets marrying him?

Prediction: I predicted that the guys will come back and George will be mad at Lennie for going into Crooks room, but than realized that he is a good man. Also he might let Crooks work for him if he do get the ranch. i also feel like Lennie is still going to sleep with Curly wife because she is very inserting. i also feel like they will let Crooks play cards and might even have friends to talk to.

Connection: I have a connection with a book called Summer of My German Solider. crooks and Aaron are very similar. They were both guys of different race. Crooks is an African American who is being treated differently because the color of his skin. Arron is being treated because he is a different race. The way that they are being treated is they are in different time period were society is being prejudice towards a grump.