Characters: George, Lennie, Curly, Candy, The Boss (Curly's Dad), Slim, Carlson, Whit, Crooks
Setting: The ranch, stay (bunkhouse), barn
Questions: Why doesn't Candy refuse to let his dog die? What is Curly's wife up to? Why did George motivate Lennie to fight back when Curly was punching him? If Curly knows that Lennie is mentally disabled, why would he start the quarrel in the first place?
Prediction: I predict that Curly won't get over his "ancient" dog getting killed. After Carlson killed the dog, Curly was really upset and didn't talk for a while. Once he got into other conversations, out of no where he brought up the dog. I also predict that we will get to know more about Crooks, even though he was only introduced in a short section in this chapter. Also, I think that Lennie and Curly will get into another fight. I believe that this time no one will be around and it will be even worse.
Summary: Slim talks to George about him working together with Lennie and is surprised that Lennie being a big, strong, childish/stupid guy and George being a small, smart guy are together. Carlson then walks in the bunkhouse and can't stand the smell of the ancient dog of Candy's and says it stinks in here, so living much wouldn't help the dog and offers to kill him since Candy resists. Slim also agrees and that leaves Candy to give up his dog, whom he took care of since the dog was a small pup. When Carlson takes the dog outside to be killed, Candy feels motionless, looking at the ceiling when he hears the gun shot from outside of Carlson killing the dog. Later, Lennie and Curly get into a fight. Lennie doesn't fight back, but grabs Curly's fist, possibly breaking bones.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Chapter 2 Note-taking
1) Characters: George, Lennie, Curly, Candy, The Boss, Slim
Setting: The ranch, stay (bunkhouse)
Questions: Will George and Lennie stay at the ranch? Why does Curly dislike about "big guys" in this case, Lennie? Why would Slim kill the puppies?
2) Prediction: I predict that Lennie and George could still eventually end up getting caught for whatever they did back in "Weed." I believe that this could happen because they had just ran away from Weed, and Lennie did something pretty inappropriate. It shouldn't be too long until someone comes looking for them, and punishes Lennie for what he did. Also, neither one of them seem too bright, especially Lennie.
I also predict that George and Lennie could get kicked out of the ranch because of Curly. Since Curly is the boss's son, the boss will only feel the need to do what's best for Curly. Curly has something against Lennie because he's big. I also think that their fighting could get out of control, and one of them could get hurt pretty badly.
4) Summarize: Lennie and George arrive at the bunkhouse where they meet an old Swamper named Candy. Candy told them the boss was waiting and that they should speak in a correct manner when they met him. After Lennie and George talked to the boss, George was suspecting that Candy was eavesdropping on their conversation, when Candy went to get his old good sheep dog. They talked to Curly (son of boss) afterwards who happen to step in the bunkhouse and seemed pugnacious and cruel to Lennie in a bad manner which George strongly disliked. Slim ends up killing his dogs.
Setting: The ranch, stay (bunkhouse)
Questions: Will George and Lennie stay at the ranch? Why does Curly dislike about "big guys" in this case, Lennie? Why would Slim kill the puppies?
2) Prediction: I predict that Lennie and George could still eventually end up getting caught for whatever they did back in "Weed." I believe that this could happen because they had just ran away from Weed, and Lennie did something pretty inappropriate. It shouldn't be too long until someone comes looking for them, and punishes Lennie for what he did. Also, neither one of them seem too bright, especially Lennie.
I also predict that George and Lennie could get kicked out of the ranch because of Curly. Since Curly is the boss's son, the boss will only feel the need to do what's best for Curly. Curly has something against Lennie because he's big. I also think that their fighting could get out of control, and one of them could get hurt pretty badly.
4) Summarize: Lennie and George arrive at the bunkhouse where they meet an old Swamper named Candy. Candy told them the boss was waiting and that they should speak in a correct manner when they met him. After Lennie and George talked to the boss, George was suspecting that Candy was eavesdropping on their conversation, when Candy went to get his old good sheep dog. They talked to Curly (son of boss) afterwards who happen to step in the bunkhouse and seemed pugnacious and cruel to Lennie in a bad manner which George strongly disliked. Slim ends up killing his dogs.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Naturalism Blog
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?
Some aspects or characteristics of the 1930s that are being demonstrated to us at those moments in the text is that the 1930s had much to do with nature. It is usually shown to be very descriptive, and easy to visualize, like, "On one side of the river 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." (1). Some of the elements that are included are grass, trees, animals, and mountains. It has a feeling of being wild, free, and unrestrained.
I believe that John Steinbeck was trying to show us or expose about the way people, life, or society was during this time in American history in many ways. He showed that the people were ill-educated and lower-class, and that their lives were governed by heredity, instinct and passion. They had to really work hard to get a job and probably get minimum wage. It was even hard to get a job. Life was depressing and extreme; it was urban and rural. Society must have been out of control; people really struggled to survive and had to thrive to get what they needed, whether it was food, water, clothes, etc. I'd say the name of this time period is pretty self-explanatory. It was the Great Depression. The name says it all.
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?
Some aspects or characteristics of the 1930s that are being demonstrated to us at those moments in the text is that the 1930s had much to do with nature. It is usually shown to be very descriptive, and easy to visualize, like, "On one side of the river 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." (1). Some of the elements that are included are grass, trees, animals, and mountains. It has a feeling of being wild, free, and unrestrained.
I believe that John Steinbeck was trying to show us or expose about the way people, life, or society was during this time in American history in many ways. He showed that the people were ill-educated and lower-class, and that their lives were governed by heredity, instinct and passion. They had to really work hard to get a job and probably get minimum wage. It was even hard to get a job. Life was depressing and extreme; it was urban and rural. Society must have been out of control; people really struggled to survive and had to thrive to get what they needed, whether it was food, water, clothes, etc. I'd say the name of this time period is pretty self-explanatory. It was the Great Depression. The name says it all.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Chapter 1 Note-taking
1) Characters: George, Lennie
Setting: Brushes, 1930s, on their way to a ranch, coming from "Weed"
Questions: Why does George mostly treat Lennie so rudely? Why would Lennie kill the mice he finds? Where exactly are the two going? What is a brush? What does a bindle hold in it?
2) Prediction: I predict that Lennie and George could eventually end up getting caught for whatever they did back in "Weed." I believe that this could happen because they had just ran away from Weed, and Lennie did something pretty inappropriate. It shouldn't be too long until someone comes looking for them, and punishes Lennie for what he did. Also, neither one of them seem too bright, especially Lennie.
4) Summarize: The two main characters, George and Lennie, are on their way to a ranch to work and live. They had just ran away from Weed because of something inappropriate that Lennie did. On their way, Lennie finds some mice that he likes to pet, but ends up killing when they bite him. When the two camp out in the brush, Lennie dreams of all the animals that will be in the ranch. George is usually rude to Lennie, and sometimes complains about dealing with Lennie, saying that he could be better off without him. The two still continue to head to the ranch.
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!
This section from the beginning of the book reminds me most of the second picture that we were showed in class, with the man walking on the road. The picture relates to this section because both the picture and the text show a man walking down a path, wearing (most likely in the picture as well) "denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders." It is different because in the picture, there was only one man, walking by himself. In the text, there are two. They both show us that the 1930s were a rough time and many people had to have likely travel long distances to work, mainly (maybe only) the men. It was the Great Depression. They could have also have had to move from their homes because there would be too many mouths to feed, so the men had to move.
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!
This section from the beginning of the book reminds me most of the second picture that we were showed in class, with the man walking on the road. The picture relates to this section because both the picture and the text show a man walking down a path, wearing (most likely in the picture as well) "denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders." It is different because in the picture, there was only one man, walking by himself. In the text, there are two. They both show us that the 1930s were a rough time and many people had to have likely travel long distances to work, mainly (maybe only) the men. It was the Great Depression. They could have also have had to move from their homes because there would be too many mouths to feed, so the men had to move.
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