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 theme/topic that we have touched on during this unit that has "hit home" with me the most is the theme/topic of power vs. powerlessness. At home, this is the perfect topic for me. I usually feel powerless compared to my parents.
The same topic/theme has a personal connection for me. There have been many times when I feel powerless compared to my mom or dad, like if it's a chore, or anything really. Even if I don't want to do it, like washing the dishes, I know complaining will just make things worse than it already is for me. I've tried it before, and it did not help.
The theme/topic that I found most interesting or captivating to discuss and investigate during this unit was the individual vs. the community. I believe that this played the largest role in the story, which made it easy to talk about. There have been many times where George has said that he'd be better off without Lennie, but in reality, the two need each other. However, I believe that Lennie needs George more than George needs Lennie.
The American Dream peaks my interest. I find it fascinating because it is all about becoming wealthy and successful in life, and achieving goals. It is relevant in the world today because I'm sure everyone on America wants this to happen to them, but in other parts of the world, they just want to survive, and/or be happy. They don't have the opportunity's or advantages as Americans do to become rich, famous, and/or successful. This is relevant in the story because of the setting, the 1930s, which was the Great Depression. People, like Lennie and George, struggle to find a job. They had to walk long distances to get where they had to go, which was the ranch.
This is an example of George having power over Lennie.
No comments:
Post a Comment