The ending of "Of Mice and Men" saddened me a lot. Lennie was by far the character I liked to the most. He added humour and sadness into the book. I think George did the right thing in killing Lennie. Lennie would only cause himself and the others around him more pain. The thing that justified George's choice to kill Lennie was that he wanted Lennie to be happy when he died. If he had let Curley shoot him, Lennie's last few moments would have been terrible. Even if Lennie was simply put in jail, he still wouldn't have been happy. Curley would have made sure Lennie was miserable in jail. People would have laughed at him and hurt him. George killed Lennie out of love.
I think the ending was perfect for the way Steinbeck set it up. The foreshadowing from the death of Candy's dog, the death of Lennie's pup, and the other various hints in the book. It made the ending of the book a surprise, but not a huge shock. I didn't disike anything about the ending. If Lennie and George ran off together or if Lennie ran off on his own, the book wouldn't have sent such a powerful message. The way Steinbeck ended it was the best way to end it.
The main message Steinbeck was sending was of the impossibility of the american dream. This ties in directly with the time the book was written. In the 30s, people had these fantasies similar to George and Lennie's. The book shows the desperation of migrant farmers at the time. When Candy hears about the plan, he immediately jumps on board it shows the desperation of the farmers. Even Crooks is enticed by the plan to work on a farm with no boss. Steinback writes a book based on reality, not fiction. The story may be fictional but the messages he sends are powerful in real life.
Steinbeck was also sending a message about the similarities between animals and humans. The comparisons of Lennie to a bear, the squawking of Curley's wife, and the other various examples sent the point that humans aren't much different from animals. It showed that "Even the best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry."
In the poem "To a Mouse" a mouse's plans to live in a home for the winter is ruined by a plow. This shows that even though the mouse thought he was safe for the winter, life throws curve balls and the next moment he was out in the cold. The book is called Of Mice And Men because Steinback wanted to tie in the poem To a Mouse to his book. He wanted to tie it in to prove his point that humans aren't so different from mice.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Of Mice And Men Literary Features
Imagery: The use of figurative language to describe a scene in an auditory, visual, kinesthetic, olfactory, and/or gustatory way.
"On one side of the river lie the golden foothill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains, but on the valley side the water is lined with trees - willows fresh and green with every spring, carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of the winter's flooding; and sycamores with mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches that arch over the pool."
Characterization: The creation of a character revealed by their actions, thoughts, and the way other characters act around them.
"His ear heard more than was said to him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought."
Motif: A theme or concept in a book that reoccurs often and adds a significant affect to the book's tone
"I won't get in no trouble, George. I ain't gonna say a word."Lennie's constant reassurance to George that he isn't going to do something and ends up doing it anyway. He does this in when he speaks during the boss interview, when he takes thedead mouse out of the bushes, and when he takes the puppy out of the barn.
Foreshadowing: The use of clues hinting to an event that happens later in a story. In most cases, the event that is hinted to serves as the climax of it.
"Lennie ain't handy, but this Curley punk is gonna get hurt if he messes around with Lennie."
Zoomorphism: The act of describing human actions as animal ones
"He walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws."
Suspense: The addition of emotion and excitement to a story that makes the reader uncertain of what will happen next
"He rippled the edges of the deck nervously, and the little snapping noises drew the eyes of all the men in the room, so he stopped doing it. The silence fell on the room again. A minute passed, then another minute. Candy lay still, staring at the ceiling. Slim gazed at him for a moment and then looked down at his hands; he subdued one hand with the other, and held it down."
Mood: The way the story makes the reader feel (happy, sad, angry, etc.)
The mood of the entire book is a sad one. there are ups and downs to the story just like in real life. I think in the end, the reader feels sad when Lennie dies but also feel that the book has fulfilled its expectations.
Round characters: A character that has more than one side to him/herself. These characters are more developed than flat characters. Readers tend to think of these characters are more likely to exist in real life than less developed ones.
"I used to have a hell of a lot of fun with 'im. Used to play jokes on 'im 'cause he was too dumb to take care of 'imself. But he was too dumb even to know he had a joke played on him. I had fun. Made me seem god damn smart along'side of him. Why he'd do any damn thing I tol' him. If I tol' him to walk over a cliff, off he'd go. That wasn't so damn fun after a while. He never get mad about it, neither. I'd beat the hell outta him, and he coulda bust every bone in my body jus' with his han's, but he never lifted a finger against me."
Flat characters: A character that remains in the same state of mind throughout a story. They are also referred to as static characters and usually play a supporting role to the main character who is a round character
"His eyes passed over the new men and he stopped. He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists. He stiffened and went into a slight crouch. His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious."
Character foils: A character that contrasts to another character. The use of contrasting foils helps highlight each character's self.
"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, and 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."
Symbolism: A character, setting, or object representing a theme or motif in a story. Most often, the symbol represents how a character feels and is slowly revealed throughout the story.
"Someday—we’re gonna get the jack together and we're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and—" "An’ live off the fatta the lan'," Lennie shouted. "An' have rabbits. Go on, George! Tell about what we’re gonna have in the garden and about the rabbits in the cages and about the rain in the winter and the stove, and how thick the cream is on the milk like you can hardly cut it. Tell about that, George."
Dialogue: A conversation between two or more characters in a story.
"From the darkness Lennie called, “George—you asleep?” “No. Whatta you want?” “Let’s have different color rabbits, George.” “Sure we will,” George said sleepily. “Red and blue and green rabbits, Lennie. Millions of ‘em.”
Setting: The environment in which characters are out in. In most literature, the setting dictates the actions of the characters in the story.
"The bunk house was a long, rectangular building. Inside, the walls were whitewashed and the floor unpainted. In three walls there were small, square windows, and in the fourth, a solid door with a wooden latch. Against the walls were eight bunks, five of them made up with blankets and the other three showing their burlap ticking. Over each bunk there was nailed an apple box with the opening forward so that it made two shelves for the personal belongings of the occupant of the bunk."
Theme: A thought or idea that reoccurs throughout the story. It often helps the reader understand what the author is trying to prove.
Steinbeck's constant mention of animals and the way they react to humans.
"On one side of the river lie the golden foothill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains, but on the valley side the water is lined with trees - willows fresh and green with every spring, carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of the winter's flooding; and sycamores with mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches that arch over the pool."
"His ear heard more than was said to him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought."
Motif: A theme or concept in a book that reoccurs often and adds a significant affect to the book's tone
"I won't get in no trouble, George. I ain't gonna say a word."Lennie's constant reassurance to George that he isn't going to do something and ends up doing it anyway. He does this in when he speaks during the boss interview, when he takes thedead mouse out of the bushes, and when he takes the puppy out of the barn.
Foreshadowing: The use of clues hinting to an event that happens later in a story. In most cases, the event that is hinted to serves as the climax of it.
"Lennie ain't handy, but this Curley punk is gonna get hurt if he messes around with Lennie."
Zoomorphism: The act of describing human actions as animal ones
"He walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws."
Suspense: The addition of emotion and excitement to a story that makes the reader uncertain of what will happen next
"He rippled the edges of the deck nervously, and the little snapping noises drew the eyes of all the men in the room, so he stopped doing it. The silence fell on the room again. A minute passed, then another minute. Candy lay still, staring at the ceiling. Slim gazed at him for a moment and then looked down at his hands; he subdued one hand with the other, and held it down."
Mood: The way the story makes the reader feel (happy, sad, angry, etc.)
The mood of the entire book is a sad one. there are ups and downs to the story just like in real life. I think in the end, the reader feels sad when Lennie dies but also feel that the book has fulfilled its expectations.
Round characters: A character that has more than one side to him/herself. These characters are more developed than flat characters. Readers tend to think of these characters are more likely to exist in real life than less developed ones.
"I used to have a hell of a lot of fun with 'im. Used to play jokes on 'im 'cause he was too dumb to take care of 'imself. But he was too dumb even to know he had a joke played on him. I had fun. Made me seem god damn smart along'side of him. Why he'd do any damn thing I tol' him. If I tol' him to walk over a cliff, off he'd go. That wasn't so damn fun after a while. He never get mad about it, neither. I'd beat the hell outta him, and he coulda bust every bone in my body jus' with his han's, but he never lifted a finger against me."
Flat characters: A character that remains in the same state of mind throughout a story. They are also referred to as static characters and usually play a supporting role to the main character who is a round character
"His eyes passed over the new men and he stopped. He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists. He stiffened and went into a slight crouch. His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious."
Character foils: A character that contrasts to another character. The use of contrasting foils helps highlight each character's self.
"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, and 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."
Symbolism: A character, setting, or object representing a theme or motif in a story. Most often, the symbol represents how a character feels and is slowly revealed throughout the story.
"Someday—we’re gonna get the jack together and we're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and—" "An’ live off the fatta the lan'," Lennie shouted. "An' have rabbits. Go on, George! Tell about what we’re gonna have in the garden and about the rabbits in the cages and about the rain in the winter and the stove, and how thick the cream is on the milk like you can hardly cut it. Tell about that, George."
Dialogue: A conversation between two or more characters in a story.
"From the darkness Lennie called, “George—you asleep?” “No. Whatta you want?” “Let’s have different color rabbits, George.” “Sure we will,” George said sleepily. “Red and blue and green rabbits, Lennie. Millions of ‘em.”
Setting: The environment in which characters are out in. In most literature, the setting dictates the actions of the characters in the story.
"The bunk house was a long, rectangular building. Inside, the walls were whitewashed and the floor unpainted. In three walls there were small, square windows, and in the fourth, a solid door with a wooden latch. Against the walls were eight bunks, five of them made up with blankets and the other three showing their burlap ticking. Over each bunk there was nailed an apple box with the opening forward so that it made two shelves for the personal belongings of the occupant of the bunk."
Theme: A thought or idea that reoccurs throughout the story. It often helps the reader understand what the author is trying to prove.
Steinbeck's constant mention of animals and the way they react to humans.
"The horses stamped on the other side of the feeding racks and the halter chains clinked. Outside the men's voices grew louder and louder"
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Interior/Exterior Character - Crooks
In section four, we are introduced to Crooks the stable buck. From the visual imagery Steinback gives at the beginning of the chapter, we can tell the type of person Crooks is. The books, the magazines, and all the other objects show that Crooks spends most of his time alone and that he has a lot of spare time on his hands.
On the outside, Crooks appears to be someone who just wants to be left alone. He lives alone in a shed outside the barn. When Lennie first comes in, Crooks first reaction is to shoo him away like he would to anyone. But when he realizes that Lennie didn't care that he was black, he accepted him into his shed. He pretends to be angry when Candy arrives but it is hinted that he is actually happy about this. Crooks acts like he is nothing to anyone because that is the way people treated him all his life. He tells Lennie stories of his youth, being the only black family in the area. This shows that Crooks never really had a friend or someone to talk to when he was sad. That is why he shuts people out and pretends to want to be alone.
On the inside, Crooks is lonely. He rarely talks to anyone and is isolated in a dark shed where few people go. When Lennie comes in. Crooks chatters away about things he probably was never able to tell anyone. With Lennie, Crooks could talk and talk and Lennie would never get bored. He asks Lennie if it was alright to ramble off like he does by asking if Lennie understood everything George said. When Lennie said no, Crooks was able to feel secure while talking about his life. Crooks also thinks nothing of himself. When he asks Curley's wife to leave, he is immediately put down. His opinion is disregarded as meaningless and he feels that it is true. He thinks little of himself because other people have treated him that way all his life. He also feels bitter for being the way he is. He would probably rather be treated as an equal instead of being ranked lower than other men.
Crooks acts very different on the outside than he feels on the inside. Even though he enjoys the company of Lennie and Candy, he acts as if its unwelcome. He pretends to be angry all the time to protect himself from being hurt by others. In reality, Crooks wants to have friends and have normal conversations but he knows that nobody will listen to him. I think this is because he was treated like nothing all his life. Crooks built a barrier between himself and other people because nobody liked him. He always felt isolated and alone so naturally he stayed that way. He pretends to be angry because he doesn't want anyone to know have bad he feels about himself. He also pretends to be aloof and happy with the way he is. He doesn't want to appear weak in front of others.
On the outside, Crooks appears to be someone who just wants to be left alone. He lives alone in a shed outside the barn. When Lennie first comes in, Crooks first reaction is to shoo him away like he would to anyone. But when he realizes that Lennie didn't care that he was black, he accepted him into his shed. He pretends to be angry when Candy arrives but it is hinted that he is actually happy about this. Crooks acts like he is nothing to anyone because that is the way people treated him all his life. He tells Lennie stories of his youth, being the only black family in the area. This shows that Crooks never really had a friend or someone to talk to when he was sad. That is why he shuts people out and pretends to want to be alone.
On the inside, Crooks is lonely. He rarely talks to anyone and is isolated in a dark shed where few people go. When Lennie comes in. Crooks chatters away about things he probably was never able to tell anyone. With Lennie, Crooks could talk and talk and Lennie would never get bored. He asks Lennie if it was alright to ramble off like he does by asking if Lennie understood everything George said. When Lennie said no, Crooks was able to feel secure while talking about his life. Crooks also thinks nothing of himself. When he asks Curley's wife to leave, he is immediately put down. His opinion is disregarded as meaningless and he feels that it is true. He thinks little of himself because other people have treated him that way all his life. He also feels bitter for being the way he is. He would probably rather be treated as an equal instead of being ranked lower than other men.
Crooks acts very different on the outside than he feels on the inside. Even though he enjoys the company of Lennie and Candy, he acts as if its unwelcome. He pretends to be angry all the time to protect himself from being hurt by others. In reality, Crooks wants to have friends and have normal conversations but he knows that nobody will listen to him. I think this is because he was treated like nothing all his life. Crooks built a barrier between himself and other people because nobody liked him. He always felt isolated and alone so naturally he stayed that way. He pretends to be angry because he doesn't want anyone to know have bad he feels about himself. He also pretends to be aloof and happy with the way he is. He doesn't want to appear weak in front of others.
Of Mice And Men Section 3
i. In this section of the book, there are two parts. The first part is the creation of a plan between George and Lennie, and Candy. The second part begins when Curley, Slim, and Carlson come into the bunk house. This part is the turning point in the book. For the first time, Curley is challenged by the other workers. First, Carlson challenges him to a fight. Curley knows that he would lose that fight so he chooses to ignore him. He looks around the room, looking for someone he wants to fight. I think this is the turning point of the book. The line "His eyes slipped past and lighted on Lennie; and Lennie was still smiling with delight at the memory of the ranch"
Curley mistook Lennie's happiness of the plan that had been made for making fun of him. From that point, Curley had only one thing in mind, beat up Lennie. It was obvious from the set up that Curley was going to lose in the end. The reason I think this was the turning point of the book is because Curley would no longer be a threat to George and Lennie. The fight was a good thing for George and Lennie in a way. Curley now knew not to mess with the pair of them. It could also be a bad thing because now Lennie is public enemy number one in Curley's mind.
ii. Juxtaposition is the placing of two or more things (in this case: scenes) side by side
iii. I think Steinback did this because after George and Lennie, and Candy made there plans for their own ranch it seemed too perfect. Something had to happen to keep the story going. The readers would probably want to know what happened when Curley tracked down Slim thinking he was with his wife. So Steinbeck decided to put the scene together.
Curley mistook Lennie's happiness of the plan that had been made for making fun of him. From that point, Curley had only one thing in mind, beat up Lennie. It was obvious from the set up that Curley was going to lose in the end. The reason I think this was the turning point of the book is because Curley would no longer be a threat to George and Lennie. The fight was a good thing for George and Lennie in a way. Curley now knew not to mess with the pair of them. It could also be a bad thing because now Lennie is public enemy number one in Curley's mind.
ii. Juxtaposition is the placing of two or more things (in this case: scenes) side by side
iii. I think Steinback did this because after George and Lennie, and Candy made there plans for their own ranch it seemed too perfect. Something had to happen to keep the story going. The readers would probably want to know what happened when Curley tracked down Slim thinking he was with his wife. So Steinbeck decided to put the scene together.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
My Dreams of the Future
In my life, I'd like to live in my own house. The two places I would want to live in would be Vancouver or Calgary. I think both places are very nice. If I would be unable to live in either place, I would still want to live in an urban area. I would like to take vacations and travel across Canada. I would like to have a good job that was interesting and exciting. I would have a car to drive. I would want to be happy and have no regrets. It would be nice to be financially stable but if there were hard times, that would be okay too. I'd have good friends and good relations with relatives. I would want to be healthy and fit, not sickly and/or overweight. And most of all I would like to have a family with children and a wife. Someone that shared similar interests to me, someone who would understand who I am. That is what my dreams are for the future.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Main Character Foil
Slim:
Slim's casual tone made it clear that he was an easygoing guy.
Right when he meets George and Lennie he starts a friendly conversation.
"It's brighter n' a bitch outside" he said gently "Can't hardly see nothing. You the new guys?"- Slim
The line shows his friendly manner, starting a conversation with no caution.
Steinback also gives detail to his kindness when he frequently writes "he said gently" and other lines that indicate his friendly tone. This probably means that Steinback really wants to show that Slim is an extremely kind person.
George also seems less reserved with Slim around. He doesn't talk carefully or double think what he says to him. While with Candy and Curley, he is reserved and slightly uncomfortable until he know their characters more. With Slim, George trusts him right off the bat. "Hell yes/I ain't nothing to scream about"
George doesn't pick and choose his words as carefully like he does with other characters in the book. I think George senses that Slim is kind.
Slim's casual tone made it clear that he was an easygoing guy.
Right when he meets George and Lennie he starts a friendly conversation.
"It's brighter n' a bitch outside" he said gently "Can't hardly see nothing. You the new guys?"- Slim
The line shows his friendly manner, starting a conversation with no caution.
Steinback also gives detail to his kindness when he frequently writes "he said gently" and other lines that indicate his friendly tone. This probably means that Steinback really wants to show that Slim is an extremely kind person.
George also seems less reserved with Slim around. He doesn't talk carefully or double think what he says to him. While with Candy and Curley, he is reserved and slightly uncomfortable until he know their characters more. With Slim, George trusts him right off the bat. "Hell yes/I ain't nothing to scream about"
George doesn't pick and choose his words as carefully like he does with other characters in the book. I think George senses that Slim is kind.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Secondary Character Foil
Boss:
"He was sore as hell when you wasn't here to go out this morning" - Candy
This line shows that the boss is very strict with time schedules and is easily angered by tardiness
"What stake you got in this guy? You takin his pay away from him?"- Boss
This line shows the boss is very suspicious with workers. It is likely he's dealt with people taking advantage of others before.
"Now he's got his eye on us" - George
This line reveals that there is a black mark in George and Lennie's books. He is now more likely to not believe them when there is a problem. This could relate to a scuffle with Curley. Now that the boss is suspicious of them, he is even more likely to side with Curley if there was a fight between Curley and Lennie. Basically if Curley gets hurt by Lennie, the boss will fire him.
"He was sore as hell when you wasn't here to go out this morning" - Candy
This line shows that the boss is very strict with time schedules and is easily angered by tardiness
"What stake you got in this guy? You takin his pay away from him?"- Boss
This line shows the boss is very suspicious with workers. It is likely he's dealt with people taking advantage of others before.
"Now he's got his eye on us" - George
This line reveals that there is a black mark in George and Lennie's books. He is now more likely to not believe them when there is a problem. This could relate to a scuffle with Curley. Now that the boss is suspicious of them, he is even more likely to side with Curley if there was a fight between Curley and Lennie. Basically if Curley gets hurt by Lennie, the boss will fire him.
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