Chapter 3 Notes

                      My Summary

     At the end of the workday, Slim and George return to the bunkhouse. Slim has agreed to give one of the pups to Lennie, and George thanks him for his kindness, insisting that Lennie is “dumb as hell,” but is neither crazy nor mean. Slim appreciates George’s friendship with Lennie, saying that it is a welcome change in a world where no one ever “seems to give a damn about nobody.” George confides in Slim the story of how he and Lennie came to be companions. Curley picks a fight with Lennie and Lennie destroys Curley's hand.

                                                                                      My Connection

      I can connect to Lennie getting a puppy from Slim. I remember when I my mom bought me my dog. Also, I believe that Lennie has positive intentions with his new dog. Something may happen to the pup,  but I don't think Lennie would purposely kill it.

                                                                 My Reflection

     The structure of Of Mice and Men isn't as organized as most books. I would like it if the chapters were labeled as opposed to the actual structure of the book now. It would make it a little easier to stay organized. The book it very simple other than the unlabeled chapters.

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?  
2.)  What kind of relationship do George and Lennie have?  Is their relationship a friendship?  How does this relationship express Steinbeck’s position on the individual versus the community?
3.)  Is the American Dream a real possibility in the story?  If yes, what characters, symbols, events, or other details from the story confirm that the American Dream is within reach?  If not, what characters, symbols, events, or other details from the story represent the American Dream as out of reach?

Response to question # 2:

      George and Lennie have a close relationship. They are practically each other's only family so I would say that they have a friendship! They've traveled together and bonded with each other over the years they've known one another. John Steinbeck expresses his position on the individual versus the community by further describing their relationship. In chapter 2, Steinbeck shows us that George won't let anyone try to cross Lennie. George made sure that Curley wouldn't do anything to disrespect Lennie . He also shows us that Lennie will do the same for George. If you will stand up for someone, you should be considered a friend !

Chapter 2 Notes

My Prediction:

     I predict that a big problem will occur between either George and Curley or Lennie and Curley.  I base my prediction from the way Lennie and George  met Curley. He caught an attitude with both of them because George answered a question that Curley attempted to ask Lennie. Also, on page 26, the swamper mentions the fact that Curley hates big guys. He is probably very intimidated by big men like Lennie because he's small. I think there will be an altercation between these two...

My Question:

     Why is Curley so mean to Lennie? I understand that bigger guys intimidate him but Lennie didn't do anything to make him angry. If anything, he should be mad at George.

My Reflection:

      

      If I could make a change to Of Mice and Men, I wouldn't have Curley being the boss's son. I just don't think the amount of power he holds is fair. If Curley was to get into an altercation between Lennie or George, it wouldn't be good for those two. They would be kicked out on the spot .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isu6-5CpR6g

Naturalism Prompt Response

      

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? 

      Naturalism is a type of literature that attempts to show humans in a very detached way, based on their relationships and the environment that they're in. It is displayed a lot in Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck incorporates elements of naturalism through the dialogue in the book.

       Ignorance is shown by John Steinbeck. I can connect the characteristics of the 1930s to the ill education of George and Lennie because the 1930s sheltered poor and homeless people. It's pretty hard to imagine a well educated person in an era of destitute men and women.

Of Mice and Men: Chapter 1 Blog Prompt/Notes N' Stuff

                                                                                     My Connection:

     

    

    Based on what I've read in the first chapter, I can connect this book to the animated cartoon, Pinky and the Brain. First of all, Pinky and the Brain were mice. Lennie loves mice. The TV show was based on the adventures of these two mice. Also, George is small but he is educated like the Brain. Lennie is huge but isn't smart at all, just like Pinky. There is big correlation between this 90s TV show and  the book we are reading.

                 My Question:

1.) Page 3-16: When are we going to meet some new characters? I'm anxious to see how George and Lennie interact with other people. I can already tell how they are with each other but they have bonded with one another and traveled together. They have basically been each other's only family. So in my opinion, it would be very interesting to detect how they are when they're around others.

2.) Page 5: Where and when did Lennie's obsession with rats occur?    

                  

My Reflection:

      I find it very fascinating that Lennie has an obsession with rats. I actually believe that everyone in the world has an obsession of some sort. My obsesion is sneakers. There is no particular reason, I just like being fashionable around beautiful girls. Lennie's love for rats is a lot more unique than mine but it is certainly not unordinary!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pinky+and+the+brain&oq=pinky+a&gs_l=youtube.1.0.0l10.10280631.10287053.0.10292459.8.4.0.0.0.0.1984.3046.5-2j8-1.3.0...0.0...1ac.1.wtmT0ERuwwk

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.

    The beginning of the book sounds very familiar. I can envision the two men (one big and one small) walking down a long road. They were probably tired and hungry. It reminds me of the picture of Highway 84. What reminds me of the picture is the path that these men are walking on. I imagine it looking the way it looks in the pictures. The text and the photographs show us how different life was back in the 1930s. By the way the author described the clothing that the men wore, you can tell that there is a difference between the way they dressed in the 1930s and the way we dress now!