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. 

I am doing "The American Dream". On page 99, John Steinbeck gives the reader a last look at the setting. "As quickly as it had came, the wind died, and the clearing was quiet again. The heron stood in the shallows, motionless and waiting. Another little water snake swam up the pool, turning its periscope head from side to side."

 In the first sentence, the roads are cleared but everyone still has The American Dream engraved in their minds. Then, everyone is yearning for this incredible dream but it isn't their reality in this time period, it's only still a dream in the 1930s. The last sentence means that another citizen in the 1930s tried to achieve The American Dream and go on the long journey for work and happiness but it seems as if they are facing difficulties and challenges. As the wind dies, a water snake swims up unexpectedly. The water snake is a sign of hope for these citizens in the 1930s because if one of them can achieve The American Dream; there is a possibility that all of them can make this dream their reality.

Chapter 6 Notes

Question: In the last sentence in Of Mice and Men it says, "Curley and Carlson looked after them. And Carlson said, "Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin' them two guys?" I kind of understand the quote and what it means to this chapter but what really confused me is that the author put it as the last sentence. Why would an author end a novel with this dialogue. Steinbeck could of ended it in so many different way but he chose to end it with a question in dialogue. I just wonder why Steinbeck decided to end it like this? It kind of confuses the reader once they read this last sentence because it makes the reader wonder what happens to George and Slim afterward and it makes me suspenseful except that's the end of the book.

Summary: In the last chapter in Of Mice and Men, things got a little hectic. Lennie was gone and George was the only person who knew where he was. All the men from the bunkhouse came after him. Lennie and George are just talking about the wonderful dream they both have and then George tells Lennie to look out on the pool of water. When Lennie asks George when they will get to own their own farm, George tells him now. This is the moment when George pulls the trigger and Lennie dies and slumps over. Everyone from the bunkhouse comes and Slim and George just leave for a walk as if nothing happened.

Prediction: I predict that George is going to feel very guilty after shooting Lennie. In the novel it said that George sat stiffly and he just stared at his right hand, which shot Lennie. When the others came, he barely said anything to them.

Novel Reaction: Thinking Foward

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 Notes

Summary:
During this chapter Lennie is petting the puppy just how he would pet the mice and he ends up killing it. Everyone else is at a horseshoe tournament and Lennie is all alone. Then walks in Curley's wife. George has constantly told Lennie not to talk to her because she will just get him into trouble. Lennie refused to talk to her at first and then she convinced him to talk to her. She keeps babbling on and on about her life story while all that Lennie cares about is tending the rabbits. Then he tells her how much he loves to pet soft things and she offers him to pet her hair. This was one of the biggest mistakes this far into the book. He starts petting her and once she says stop, he has a very good grip on her hair now. She starts screaming and yelling and he put his huge hand over her mouth. She had no way of breathing so he ended up killing the woman. Of course, Lennie didn't mean to because he doesn't know his strength and he doesn't understand what's right and what's wrong.

Connection:
When Candy gets upset because he can no longer have his dream come true I understand and I have felt this way before. I wanted to go to this dance highschool school and my father ended up telling me I can't. I have wanted to go to this high school since I was in the 3rd grade and my dreams were crushed.

Prediction:
 I think George is going to find where Lennie is since he's the only one who knows about the hiding spot but I highly doubt he's going to tell the others. I also think he won't allow Curley to shoot Lennie. I'm not sure how he will stop him but I have a feeling that George will do something to stop him.  

A 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?

Check out this article titled, "Racial Segregation in the American South: Jim Crow Laws" to gain a better understanding of the timeline of racial segregation in America.

 

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.
 

Chapter 4 Notes

Question: Lennie meets Crooks, also known as the nigger and on page 71, Crooks told Lennie that George went out to town and suppose he's never coming back. I wonder what was the purpose of Crooks to tell Lennie that? Did he really want to scare him or does he know something the reader doesn't?
When Curley's wife comes in to find her husband, she starts little arguments and the men obviously don't want her there. So when Crooks tries to tell her to get out of his room, Candy says on page 80, "You know what I can do if you open your trap?" Right after, Crooks gets pretty quiet and just obeys whatever Candy is saying to him. She says this comment, "I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny." What is she talking about here? And why does she have to talk to Crooks in such  rude way?

Prediction: Since Lennie has told Crooks about this wonderful journey that George, Lennie, and Candy are supposed to have; I think Crooks is going to escape with them.  I also believe that George might escape without anyone and just leave the others behind because in Chapter 4 he just went out to the city. He might end up just going on his own, because he is smart enough to venture in the world.

Connection: When Lennie tells Crooks about this life that him, George, and Candy are going to have but George didn't want him to tell anyone. This reminded me of when I told my brother that we were going to his college for a suprise visit when I wasn't supposed to tell him. When I get really excited about something, I tend to blurt it out especially if its a suprise for someone. Like Lennie, he gets excited pretty easily about tending to these rabbits so for me I get excited when I know I'm not supposed to tell someone something so it makes me want to tell them even more.

Investigating 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?


Check out the info History.com has to offer about the American 1930s! Who had power in the 1930s? Who did not? What kinds of power existed then? What important relationships were formed in the 1930s? Was the American Dream still alive in the 1930s? 

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 3 Notes

Summarize: George and Lennie are now staying at the bunkhouse. Candy's dog ends up being killed because Carlson feels that he's suffering and there's no point in him living anymore. As the chapter goes on, George and Lennie start to talk about this lovely dream house they both wish to own one day. Candy offers to help buy this amazing house with them and he wants to join in this dream also. Then, Curley comes in furious because he can't find his wife once again. While Lennie is actually smiling about this wonderful dream house they will soon have, Curley thinks Lennie's laughing at him. Curley gets into a fight with Lennie that turns into something bigger than I expected. George screams out for him to fight back but Lennie is so frightened he's not sure what to do. When Curley tried to throw a punch, Lennie grabbed his fist and clenched it into his own hand. Meanwhile, George is yelling at him to let go of his hand because Lennie won't let go until he is told to. Lennie had blood all over his face but he finally let go of Curley's hand. I can only imagine that his hand has a few broken bones in it because of Lennie's strength.

Question: On page 62 and continuing on page 63, there is a huge physical fight between Curley and Lennie. Curley couldn't find his wife and Lennie just so happened to be smiling about the dream house disscussion. Curley got angry at him because he thought he was laughing at him. During the fight, George was yelling at Lennie to fight back. I wonder why none of the other guys in the bunkhouse got involved in the fight or tried to help out Lennie or Curley? Also, once Lennie did do something why did George tell him to stop right away? I think Lennie has the right to show he's not just a weakling that everyone portrays him as and Curley beat him up pretty bad so I think he's allowed to just break a few bones in his hand.

Prediction: I think Curley will finally comprehend to just leave Lennie alone because he's harmless. Also, I think Lennie, George, and Candy will actually leave the bunkhouse or start saving to leave. I have a feeling that Lennie might get into some trouble this coming chapter by the clues they have already provided us. The author told the reader that he is known for getting in trouble and George has been telling him to hide in this bush whenever something goes wrong.

Chapter 2- Note Taking

Connection: On page 17, as the author described the bunkhouse I thought of where I stayed at for camp. The walls were painted an ivory color and the floor was also unpainted. There were five bunks on each side of the walls. above each bunk there was always a little compartment or as they call it in Of Mice and Men an "apple box". The only difference was at camp the boxes contained your bathroom necessities, a notebook usually, a pen or pencil, hair ties or anything just laying around was stored there. In the text it says the apple boxes contained little articles, soap and talcum powder, razors and those Western magazines, little vials, combs, and a few neckties.

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.

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.  

Naturalism as a Mirror of the 1930s



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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.

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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.

Chapter 1- Note taking

Questions:
Page 4: Lennie and George came across a river. They were drinking water and Lennie imitated George and I wonder if maybe George is his role model? Or why was he imitating him? Does he look up to him?
2) Page 11:George started screaming at Lennie about how frustrating it is to be with him. George exploded on Lennie and he mentioned that Lennie was feeling a girl's dress. I wonder why he was feeling it and if he stole it or something?

Connections: Page 11: While George was screaming at Lennie, it reminded me of when I saw this brother scream at his disabled brother about how he was ashamed of being with him.
Page 1: The description on page 1 reminded me of this place I once went to in South Carolina. It had this really long river, and there were curvy hills, and there were always rabbits around.

Predictions: Page 16: I think by the way George is speaking to Lennie, Lennie is going to come to a realization that he is being treated poorly and he might escape or actually run away to these caves he keeps talking about. Even though Lennie was born with a disability and is mentally challenged, I think he's going to know how someone should treat him and how someone shouldn't treat him. George speaks to him with no respect and as a reader I can tell Lennie isn't stupid and he knows the way George is talking to him is wrong.

Picturing the History Behind Of Mice and Men

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. 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. (1.2-4)

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.