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.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
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.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
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.
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.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
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?
~ ~ ~
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.
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?
~ ~ ~
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.
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.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Chapter 2 Note Taking
Question: The entire chaper basically George wasn't allowing Lennie to talk and when he did, he scowled at him. I wonder why can't Lennie talk? I feel that that'll just get both of them in trouble for lying that Lennie doesn't talk much.
Why does George choose to stay in such an uncomfortable environment? He knows Curly doesn't like him because of the altercation about his wife and he doesn't like Lennie because he's a big guy. I would think that any person would want to leave that type of environment
Summarize: In chapter 2, Lennie and George find their new job and tart to get settled into the bunkhouse. They keep using the term "bucking and barley" and since George said they knew how to do this, I'm guessing it has to do with farming. George and Lennie arrived at the bunkhouse and already got in trouble because they came later than expected. At first, the place was pretty nice and the people were also fairly nice. The boss tells them after there talk with him, that he's going to keep an eye on them. Towards the end of the chapter, they meet a few people and they all tell them about the place. Finally, they come to meet the boss' son, which he's not the nicest guy on the planet. Right of the back, the boss' son, Curly doesn't like guys like Lennie because he's a big guy. George doesn't like Curly very much and I can see this already as being a conflict.
Why does George choose to stay in such an uncomfortable environment? He knows Curly doesn't like him because of the altercation about his wife and he doesn't like Lennie because he's a big guy. I would think that any person would want to leave that type of environment
Summarize: In chapter 2, Lennie and George find their new job and tart to get settled into the bunkhouse. They keep using the term "bucking and barley" and since George said they knew how to do this, I'm guessing it has to do with farming. George and Lennie arrived at the bunkhouse and already got in trouble because they came later than expected. At first, the place was pretty nice and the people were also fairly nice. The boss tells them after there talk with him, that he's going to keep an eye on them. Towards the end of the chapter, they meet a few people and they all tell them about the place. Finally, they come to meet the boss' son, which he's not the nicest guy on the planet. Right of the back, the boss' son, Curly doesn't like guys like Lennie because he's a big guy. George doesn't like Curly very much and I can see this already as being a conflict.
Chapter 1 Note Taking
Questions: In the frist chapter why does Goerge bring Lennie
instead of a girlfreind? Does Lennie have a connection with mice, if so what is
the signficatins. What naitionally are they? What did Lennie do so bad at Weed
that Gorge doesnt want him to do again? Does Lennie have memory loss
?
Summarize: In chapter 1 Of Mice and Men , Goerge and his bestfreind Lennie are on the road look for a new place to work. Gorge is small and quick and has strong features. Lennie is the total opposite of Goerge , he is a big man, who had sloping shoulders and walked heavily. Also he is mentally challenged. They are walking on a road and stop , to rest. Geroge finds that that lennie has dead mice in his pockets. Gorege doesnt not want Lennie to do what he did at his lost farm house. Gorege tells Lenie a story about the rabbits and had the convorestion until late and they fall asleep.
Reflect: I think the authour reason for writting this book is for the readers to see how diffucult life was in the 1930s , around war time. Also maybe for us to be greatgul for what we have, because they didnt have much back than. no there isnt any themes i recongizes just yet. Yes i do like it but its not my type of Genre. it could make this more intersting by placing the charcter in a segration farm an dthey being bully because hey dont fit in.
Summarize: In chapter 1 Of Mice and Men , Goerge and his bestfreind Lennie are on the road look for a new place to work. Gorge is small and quick and has strong features. Lennie is the total opposite of Goerge , he is a big man, who had sloping shoulders and walked heavily. Also he is mentally challenged. They are walking on a road and stop , to rest. Geroge finds that that lennie has dead mice in his pockets. Gorege doesnt not want Lennie to do what he did at his lost farm house. Gorege tells Lenie a story about the rabbits and had the convorestion until late and they fall asleep.
Reflect: I think the authour reason for writting this book is for the readers to see how diffucult life was in the 1930s , around war time. Also maybe for us to be greatgul for what we have, because they didnt have much back than. no there isnt any themes i recongizes just yet. Yes i do like it but its not my type of Genre. it could make this more intersting by placing the charcter in a segration farm an dthey being bully because hey dont fit in.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Naturalism as a Mirror in 1930
Literature is often a reflection of the time period in which it was written or,
in the case of historical fiction, of the time period it is focused on. Authors
will often find sneaky little ways to demonstrate the dominant characteristics
of the time period by blending in details, that, at a closer glance, reveal
these hidden themes.
In class, we viewed several videos (in the LitByFleming blog video bar) that gave us a look at some major events and common themes or characteristics of the 1930s. John Steinbeck certainly considered these elements when writing Of Mice and Men. In fact, it might be said, his writing style intentionally made use of naturalism in order to capture and expose some of the attitudes and characteristics of the American 1930s.
Let's see if you can make the connection! Think about some of the naturalistic elements we identified in class (Chapter 1). What aspects or characteristics of the 1930s are being demonstrated to us at those moments in the text? What do you believe John Steinbeck was trying to show us or expose about the way people, life, or society was during this time in American history?
Some naturalistic elements include: Characters bing
ill-educated and lower class whose lives are governed by hereditary, instinct,
and passion; Setting plays a huge part, wheather it is an urban setting or a
rural setting; themes: the "beast within, survival, violence, environment vs.
heredity, passion, instinct, and taboo.During class we discussed naturalistic
elements and how they were related to the text and came up with four for the
first chapter. The first example was "Behind him walked his opposite, a huge
man, shapeless of face, with large, heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws." This
man is being compared to a bear or has "human beast" characteristics. "Lennie
dabbled his big paw in the water and wiggled his fingers so the water arose in
little splashes." Lennie's hand is being compared to a bear's paw. This is also
an example of a "beastly" characteristic. "He pushed himself back, drew up his
knees, embraced them, looked over to George to see whether he had it just
right." This shows that Lennie is ill-educated so he's not sure if he's doing it
right so he looks up to George to make sure.
Anger and frustration is demonstrated throughtout the first chapter. The reader can tell that George is very frustrated on page 11 because he blows up on Lennie when Lennie says he likes ketchup on his beans. I don't necessarily believe George was angry at Lennie because he likes ketchup on his beans; but I think the whole stress of getting to California for a better life is getting to him and he took it out on Lennie. It's understandable for a person in that situation to get angry, because you don't have work and you are trying to get a better life in San Francisco or California but you don't even know if that's going to work out. I believe John Steinbeck was trying to show us the true reality of what was actually going on in the Great Depression. The heart-wrenching feeling of being depressed, angry, frustrated all the time because people weren't living the lives they wanted to. Society was suffering from people not having work and work was only being found by California and San Francisco. It was even more depressing to maybe have to leave your family because they weren't able to travel with you all the way to California. John Steinbeck makes it clear that it was a cruel reality people had to live in the 1930s. As a reader, it hurts to think people went through times like these because society should never come to the point where everyone is unhappy and things are just getting worse and worse.
In class, we viewed several videos (in the LitByFleming blog video bar) that gave us a look at some major events and common themes or characteristics of the 1930s. John Steinbeck certainly considered these elements when writing Of Mice and Men. In fact, it might be said, his writing style intentionally made use of naturalism in order to capture and expose some of the attitudes and characteristics of the American 1930s.
Let's see if you can make the connection! Think about some of the naturalistic elements we identified in class (Chapter 1). What aspects or characteristics of the 1930s are being demonstrated to us at those moments in the text? What do you believe John Steinbeck was trying to show us or expose about the way people, life, or society was during this time in American history?
Anger and frustration is demonstrated throughtout the first chapter. The reader can tell that George is very frustrated on page 11 because he blows up on Lennie when Lennie says he likes ketchup on his beans. I don't necessarily believe George was angry at Lennie because he likes ketchup on his beans; but I think the whole stress of getting to California for a better life is getting to him and he took it out on Lennie. It's understandable for a person in that situation to get angry, because you don't have work and you are trying to get a better life in San Francisco or California but you don't even know if that's going to work out. I believe John Steinbeck was trying to show us the true reality of what was actually going on in the Great Depression. The heart-wrenching feeling of being depressed, angry, frustrated all the time because people weren't living the lives they wanted to. Society was suffering from people not having work and work was only being found by California and San Francisco. It was even more depressing to maybe have to leave your family because they weren't able to travel with you all the way to California. John Steinbeck makes it clear that it was a cruel reality people had to live in the 1930s. As a reader, it hurts to think people went through times like these because society should never come to the point where everyone is unhappy and things are just getting worse and worse.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Picturing Of Mice and Men
Think about this section from the beginning of the
book:
For a moment the place was lifeless, and then two men emerged from the path and came into the opening by the green pool.
They had walked in single file down the path, and even in the open one stayed behind the other. Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders. The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely.
The first man stopped short in the clearing, and the follower nearly ran over him. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat-band with his forefinger and snapped the moisture off. His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself.
Sound familiar? Kind of like the pictures, right? In writing, compare and contrast this opening section from Of Mice and Men to the pictures you analyzed in class. What does the text and the photographs show us about the 1930s? Be specific!
The text in the story reminds me of the second picture we viewed during class.
The very first sentence draws me to this picture because this man is going down
a never ending road. His feet look as if they are draging like in the text.
These descriptions match how the author descibes the man:Behind him walked
his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide,
sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a
bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung
loosely. The man in the
picture seems to be by himself and is lonely while in the text he describes that
the man has company along with him. The man in the picture also has a similarity
to the text because he has a hat on and the text says He took off his hat
and wiped the sweat-band with his forefinger and snapped the moisture
off.
This picture is trying to tell us back in the 1930s, there was a time of lonliness and there was a time of depression. A lot of people didn't have jobs and many farmers were trying to find farms to work on so they decided to move where they could all find work. The sadness continued as there was a drought going on and the economic situation was not its best.
For a moment the place was lifeless, and then two men emerged from the path and came into the opening by the green pool.
They had walked in single file down the path, and even in the open one stayed behind the other. Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders. The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely.
The first man stopped short in the clearing, and the follower nearly ran over him. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat-band with his forefinger and snapped the moisture off. His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself.
Sound familiar? Kind of like the pictures, right? In writing, compare and contrast this opening section from Of Mice and Men to the pictures you analyzed in class. What does the text and the photographs show us about the 1930s? Be specific!
The text in the story reminds me of the second picture we viewed during class.
The very first sentence draws me to this picture because this man is going down
a never ending road. His feet look as if they are draging like in the text.
These descriptions match how the author descibes the man:Behind him walked
his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide,
sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a
bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung
loosely. The man in the
picture seems to be by himself and is lonely while in the text he describes that
the man has company along with him. The man in the picture also has a similarity
to the text because he has a hat on and the text says He took off his hat
and wiped the sweat-band with his forefinger and snapped the moisture
off.This picture is trying to tell us back in the 1930s, there was a time of lonliness and there was a time of depression. A lot of people didn't have jobs and many farmers were trying to find farms to work on so they decided to move where they could all find work. The sadness continued as there was a drought going on and the economic situation was not its best.
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