Reflection: "Carlson was not to be put off. 'Look, Candy. This ol' dog jus' suffers hisself all the time. If you was to take him out and shoot him right in the back of the head-' he leaned over and pointed, '-right there, why he'd never know what him."' Page 45.
In this quote a character named Carlson was telling Candy that he should shoot his dog. This is because he is old. He can't see very well, he can't really hear, and he can barley walk. He smells very bad and they feel bad. Candy is in love with his dog and he doesn't want him to. The theme in this part so far is euthinasia. This is because other people want to kill the dog for it's own good. If the dog goes down then it will be in a better place and not have a miserable death.
Prediction: In the book so far, Lennie and George have made it to the Bunkhouse where they will work and get paid. George started to talk to Candy about their dream they have when they have the money. Candy then tells them about the money he has saved and how much he gets paid. He asks if he can go work with them. I predict that they will get them farm and Candy will come with them. Once they get there they won't be able to sell enough and make enough money to uphold the farm. Lennie will get mad at George and George will get mad a t Lennie. They will then all go back to the bunkhouse to see if they can get their jobs back.
Questions: At the end of the chapter Curley goes after Slim when he is in the barn because he thinks that he is with his wife, but he isn't. Why is Slim and his wife always looking for each other? They should know where the other is. Also, why does Slim always think that one of the guys is with his wife? Does he think that they are better looking and will get more from her than he will himself? What is his problem?
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Chapter 2 Notes
Summary: In Chapter 2, Lennie and George make it to the Bunkhouse. When they get their they meet the boss. They don't like the boss, or as a matter of fact, the environment there. They want to leave as soon as they can. They meet Curley the bosses son and his wife, as well as Slim. Curley is a nasty man who can get away with anything just because he is the bosses son. He just got married two weeks ago to his wife who is a lady that no one likes and will get you in trouble. Slim is one of the workers. Lennie and George are just meeting everyone and learning what they are like.
Questions: So far in the story Lennie and George just got the the Bunkhouse where they will get work. They have been meeting people like the boss, Curley, his wife, the swamper, and Slim. What made Curley so nasty? Was it his past like he was abused or just how he was raised? Also on page 35, it says, "She slang her her pups last night," said Slim. "Nine of 'em. I drowned four of 'em right off." What does this mean? Who did this? This people in this book don't seem very nice at all except for Slim.
Reflect: '"Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your interest is."'
"George said, 'He's my... cousin.'
In this part of the chapter I felt bad for George. He has to stick up for Lennie all the time and take all the problems that people cause because Lennie doesn't answer and George is answering for him. I wouldn't be able to do that all the time. I would get fed up at some points and want nothing to do with Lennie. I'm am really proud of him though because he is doing what is right and staying by Lennie's side through all the rough and smooth patch in life. I think the theme so far is that you can never give up on something you started. They can't give up on this job and George can't give up on taking care of Lennie because then he will lose is family and best friend.
-- In this song besides for the fact that he is talking about love, the song says a lot about not giving up on anyone. He will try his best to make it easy.
Questions: So far in the story Lennie and George just got the the Bunkhouse where they will get work. They have been meeting people like the boss, Curley, his wife, the swamper, and Slim. What made Curley so nasty? Was it his past like he was abused or just how he was raised? Also on page 35, it says, "She slang her her pups last night," said Slim. "Nine of 'em. I drowned four of 'em right off." What does this mean? Who did this? This people in this book don't seem very nice at all except for Slim.
Reflect: '"Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your interest is."'
"George said, 'He's my... cousin.'
In this part of the chapter I felt bad for George. He has to stick up for Lennie all the time and take all the problems that people cause because Lennie doesn't answer and George is answering for him. I wouldn't be able to do that all the time. I would get fed up at some points and want nothing to do with Lennie. I'm am really proud of him though because he is doing what is right and staying by Lennie's side through all the rough and smooth patch in life. I think the theme so far is that you can never give up on something you started. They can't give up on this job and George can't give up on taking care of Lennie because then he will lose is family and best friend.
-- In this song besides for the fact that he is talking about love, the song says a lot about not giving up on anyone. He will try his best to make it easy.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Naturalism as a Mirror of the 1930s
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?
There are many ways that Steinbeck has put the characteristic of the 1930's in Of Mice and Men. For example, George and Lennie are out looking for a job. In the 1930's it was hard for people to find work because its during the great depression and in between world war 1 and world war 2. Also George and Lennie don't have families. Lennie's aunt Clara died and that;s why George is taking care of him. George is also extremely stressed which cause tension in their relationship. With all of these put together show us just a part of what it was like to live in the 1930's.
I believe that John Steinbeck is trying to show us to not take things for granted. This is because we have clothing, shelter, food, jobs, and families to take care of us. Back then most people didn't have a quarter of what we have now nor did they have any family. Anyone back then would be in heaven if they could have a family, a house, and a regular income like we do. We have to appreciate everything we have and enjoy it instead of complaining about the things we want and don't have.
--People in the 1930's looking for a job.
--Modern day people looking for jobs.
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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There are many ways that Steinbeck has put the characteristic of the 1930's in Of Mice and Men. For example, George and Lennie are out looking for a job. In the 1930's it was hard for people to find work because its during the great depression and in between world war 1 and world war 2. Also George and Lennie don't have families. Lennie's aunt Clara died and that;s why George is taking care of him. George is also extremely stressed which cause tension in their relationship. With all of these put together show us just a part of what it was like to live in the 1930's.
I believe that John Steinbeck is trying to show us to not take things for granted. This is because we have clothing, shelter, food, jobs, and families to take care of us. Back then most people didn't have a quarter of what we have now nor did they have any family. Anyone back then would be in heaven if they could have a family, a house, and a regular income like we do. We have to appreciate everything we have and enjoy it instead of complaining about the things we want and don't have.
--People in the 1930's looking for a job.
--Modern day people looking for jobs.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Chapter 1 Notes
In chapter one on "Of Mice and Men" I have a question. On page 6, they keep talking about Lennie always stroking a mouse in his pocket. Why is that? Why does he have to do that? When George takes it away from him he gets very upset. This shows that he has to always have something in his hand to keep it busy. It seems that he can not not have something to do with his hand. With this in mind, does Lennie have a major mental disorder?
Next I can connect to the text. This is so because throughout the whole chapter George will get mad at Lennie, but then be a nice friend to him. I can relate to this because my friend and I will get mad at each other for some stupid reason and then we will make up and pretend like nothing ever happened. The relationship I have with my friends and the relationship between George and Lennie are somewhat the same.
Lastly, I think that George and Lennie and will find the place up the road they were looking for for a job. Once they get there everything will be fine, but then Lennie will get in trouble and get fired. I predict this will happen because on page 11 it talks about when they had their last job and Lennie wanted to feel the girls dress and pet it like a mouse. If he does something stupid like this again then he will get fired. George would then get fired with him or sneak out and care for Lennie at night. I hope this doesn't happen, but given Lennie's history I have a feeling it will.
Next I can connect to the text. This is so because throughout the whole chapter George will get mad at Lennie, but then be a nice friend to him. I can relate to this because my friend and I will get mad at each other for some stupid reason and then we will make up and pretend like nothing ever happened. The relationship I have with my friends and the relationship between George and Lennie are somewhat the same.
Lastly, I think that George and Lennie and will find the place up the road they were looking for for a job. Once they get there everything will be fine, but then Lennie will get in trouble and get fired. I predict this will happen because on page 11 it talks about when they had their last job and Lennie wanted to feel the girls dress and pet it like a mouse. If he does something stupid like this again then he will get fired. George would then get fired with him or sneak out and care for Lennie at night. I hope this doesn't happen, but given Lennie's history I have a feeling it will.
Friday, February 15, 2013
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. 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. (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 first three paragraphs in "Of Mice and Men" sounds familiar to the picture -Migrant worker on California Highway. This is because the man in the picture is walking along this long highway just like the two men in the story. They all have a bag of some sort over their shoulder as they walk along the path.
The two pictures are different because in "Of Mice and Men" the two men are walking in a single file line and their arms do not swing at their sides. The man in the picture is walking by himself with his arms up, not by his side.
The picture and the description from the story tell a lot about the 1930's. This is because in this time period people traveled miles upon miles to find work. It was a hard time for many people. They went where ever they could just to support their family. In the story and the picture the people are traveling to find somewhere to go and earn a living.
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. (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 first three paragraphs in "Of Mice and Men" sounds familiar to the picture -Migrant worker on California Highway. This is because the man in the picture is walking along this long highway just like the two men in the story. They all have a bag of some sort over their shoulder as they walk along the path.
The two pictures are different because in "Of Mice and Men" the two men are walking in a single file line and their arms do not swing at their sides. The man in the picture is walking by himself with his arms up, not by his side.
The picture and the description from the story tell a lot about the 1930's. This is because in this time period people traveled miles upon miles to find work. It was a hard time for many people. They went where ever they could just to support their family. In the story and the picture the people are traveling to find somewhere to go and earn a living.
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