Theme 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.

Next, try to analyze how this moment is somehow connected to the theme you have chosen.  

"You hadda, George. I swear you hadda."

The power displayed here was intense because George just killed Lennie and it showed the kind of will power to do something like that. He had to kill his friend not for selfish reasons but because he wanted to spare him the torture he would have received. He was so strong to make that decision that ended someones life.  If he was powerless then Lennie could have been tortured. 

 http://www.finearts.utah.edu/archive/of-mice-and-men/

Chapter 6 Note Taking

1.Question- Currently in the last chapter it's Lennie and George mostly. The last part of the book they are by the water and Lennie is wondering what's going to happen. I just wonder why George didn't just tell Lennie what was actually going on?

2.Summarize- Well Lennie is hiding and then George finds him. George basically lets Lennie rant and talk about his future. What Lennie doesn't realize is that George took Carlson's gun. I could tell that George didn't want to kill him but he knew it was better than him either getting killed by someone else or tortured. So he did what he thought was right and killed Lennie. So when the rest of the men got to him there was nothing for them to do. 

3.Reflect- I think that the authors reason for writing this was to show all the acts of discrimination and what goes on or went on in the world. Also, how it affected people in all different ways. I kind of liked the book but it wasn't all that interesting to me although that is just me. Overall, the book was good.


 http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/index.cfm

Novel Reaction:Thinking Forward

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 that really "hit home" was power v.s. powerless. It just really showed how people could have power over you without you even knowing it. It also shows how people don't even know their own strength and what they are capable of. I wouldn't say that I have a personal connection to it. I just find it interesting seeing how the power is shown and who has the power over another. It's really shown when Lennie gets scared because he needs George to tell him what to do which gives George the power. But then when Lennie gets violent with say Curley or Curley's wife it shows the kind of physical power he holds within himself. Also, in today's world it is shown with people who are rich and that kind of power they hold and say others like police who hold authoritaive power.

 

Chapter 5 Note Taking

1. Prediction- For the next chapter I have a feeling that there is going to be a lot of drama considering Lennie just killed Curley's wife. I also don't think Lennie has Carlson's gun because he wouldn't even think about it because that isn't the kind of person. So I have a feeling that someone else has it and I wonder why.

2. Summarize- The chapter begins with Lennie in the barn and he is with his pup. Which we then find out he has killed because he was to rough with it. Then Curley's wife comes into the barn and she saw what he did and starts talking to him. She just thinks he's weird and Lennie thinks he's going to get in trouble with George for talking to her. But Lennie can't get away especially when she told him he could touch her hair. And when she tells him to let go he won't and then when she starts screaming he covers her nose and mouth. Then without warning he snaps her neck and all he can worry about is that George isn't going to let him tend to the rabbits. Once everyone finds out George has to act like he doesn't know and everyone sets out to get Lennie.

3.Reflect- The book has definitely gotten more interesting because of Lennie and his inability to control himself. Not much could make the book better now. And a quote that I really thought had meaning was " 'You George! you stick with us so we don't think you had nothin' to do with this.' " It really shows how conflicted George is because if he tries to help Lennie he is going to get accused of helping him and get himself in trouble. But if he doesn't help him he can get hurt. He is in a tough situation.  

http://www.searchquotes.com/search/Tough_Decisions/

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? 


     In this chapter racism is explored when it is shown that Crooks has his own room. It shows how he is not allowed to mix with non-colored people. In a way he doesn't have his own freedom because he is not allowed to be with others and is forced to be on his own. Another example of racism is when Curley's wife turned on Crooks after he stood up against her. She screamed and threatened him and used her power over him to get what she wanted. She even said,"Well, you keep your place then, nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny." As a result of this chapter readers can learn that racism is used as power over someone.


 

Two races united.
http://archive.adl.org/hate-patrol/racism.asp

Chapter 4 Note Taking

1. Summarize- In this chapter Lennie visits Crooks' room. Lennie and him start a conversation which gets Lennie wondering about George and what he feels about being around and traveling with Lennie. Then Candy comes in because he heard them talking. It was his first time ever being in Cooks' room. And things get even more tense when Curley's wife comes in and makes her presence known. She even down grades Crooks. Finally everyone leaves and Crooks is back by himself like the chapter started.

2. Prediction- I think that Curley's wife is going to tell someone she shouldn't about what happened to Curley's hand.

3. Question- I wonder why Curley's wife can't just leave other people's business alone and stop trying to get others into trouble that doesn't need to happen.




These men look like what I would think the men in the book look like.

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? 

- Power and powerless, both exist. Lennie has physical power and George has authoritative power and mental power. Mentally Lennie is powerless but physically he has so much power. And George has mental power and powerlessness in physical activities. Also, Curley has power with authority.






 http://xroads.virginia.edu/~1930s/front.html

Chapter 3 Note Taking

1. Question: At this point in the text the characters are in the bunkhouse and they are all having a conversation. I was wondering why Curley and his wife always seem to be looking for each other. Also, I was questioning why Curley always wonders if Slim is with his wife.

2. Prediction: I predict that someone is going to find out about Lennie, George and Candy's plans. And that they will be ruined before they've even began.

3. Reflect: Now in the book the theme of power has shown up more than once. Whether it's Curley's authority or Lennie's strength. Also, I'm liking the book a lot more because of the new forming plot.

 

Chapter 2 Note Taking

1. Question: Besides Lennie and George there are new characters. Candy, the boss, Curley, Slim and Curley's wife. Also, now they aren't on the road anymore, they are at the bunkhouse. Where they are going to start working. I'm wondering why Curley is so mean to guys that are bigger than him? Why couldn't he just be nice so there were no problems.

2. Prediction: I'm already starting to think that something is going to happen between Curley and Lennie because George is talking about how Lennie should stay away from Curley it a lot which makes me think it will eventually be important. And I think that Lennie is going to get himself into some trouble because like George said, he's not very bright so it could lead to him doing something not so smart.

3.Summarize: As the chapter began Lennie and George arrived at the bunkhouse. When they got there they met Candy and he began to get to know them. When the boss came in he told them what to to and as soon as he came he left. But when Curley, the boss's son comes and sees them he begins to be rude to Lennie which shows that he is having some problems with them. Then we learn about his wife and how their relationship is. And finally we meet Slim. Many characters were introduced so there was a lot of new information in this chapter.

This is a picture of how men lived in a bunkhouse. 

http://www.history.com/topics/1930s

Naturalism as a Mirror of the 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 characteristics during chapter 1 are the way the find work. In this present day people hand in applications and apply over the internet. Then they seemed to walk around down the roads and just ask. Also, they were living in the woods and just sleeping outside. Now, there are shelters and less live like this but it's not everyone.

   The author John Steinbeck was trying to show how hard life was and how different it is from the present. Like how people were treated and how people don't always accept people like Lennie. And society was more look for jobsand go for them. If there was an available work position there was no e-mailing applications and resumes or references. But, besides that i think he wants us to realize that people, life, and society have changed and we ave a much easier life because of it.



http://www.history.com/topics/1930s

Chapter 1 Note Taking

Each blog post should demonstrate at least 3 out  of the following 5 areas of critical thinking: 


1) Question: In the first chapter of the novella two characters, Lennie and George are introduced. They are walking along the road in search of a job. They head towards the woods for the night to have their beans and drink the stagnant water. It doesn't seem all that great but they seem used to it which makes me wonder. How long have they been at this? Also, why are they in need of this job? I just wonder what there life was leading to the beginning of they story.  

2) Prediction: Based off of what has already happened I predict that Lennie is going to cause some trouble with the new job they are going for. I think he is going to talk when he's not supposed to. Also, I think George is going to get annoyed at Lennie and tensions might rise.  

3) Reflect: I think that the author wrote this novella to give people different views on life and how it was around that time period. So far the book seems good and I like the authors description on all of the nature elements. I have a feeling that it will get even better by the way its headed now. Mabye if Lennie's thought were portrayed more it wold be more interesting. 




http://web1.boisestate.edu/socwork/dhuff/history/chapts/5-1.htm

Picturing the history behind Of Mice and Men

     The reading reminded me of the Migrant Worker photo. The photo had showed a man walking along a road with a bag like he was traveling. That kind of sounds like this reading because it basically describes the same thing. The only difference is in the reading from the book has two men. But even so both have the shoulders slumped and the person seems depressed. They are really similar.