Chapter 6 end notes

In last week's blog response, I asked you to select a theme that "hit home" with you the most.  Now that you have set your sights on a theme you would most like work with some more, it is time to test your skills of 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.

For example, imagine that I am a student who was most interested in the theme of "The American Dream."  When scanning chapter 6 I came across this moment in the text:

 "A water snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its periscope head from side to side; and it swam the length of the pool and came to the legs of a motionless heron that stood in the shallows.  A silent head and beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head, and the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically." 

Next, try to analyze how this moment is somehow connected to the theme you have chosen.  It mights sound something like: 

One of the final images of setting that Steinbeck offers us in Of Mice and Men involves a snake being eaten unexpectedly by a taller, silent bird.  The snake "gliding smoothly up the pool" is similar to an American citizen in the 1930s attempting to work their way towards a goal of prosperity.  The snake moves its way around obstacles as it sees them, just like a hardworking citizen has to jump some hurdles in the pursuit of their dream.  However, the unfortunate truth of the matter is that "The American Dream" is beyond the grasp of most people because of unforeseen enemies to their progress.  The tall heron might be a symbol for the more powerful upper or dominant class of society silently waiting in the shadows.  The heron ultimately swallows the snake, and in the same light, many Americans dreams are snatched from American people in ways that they do not suspect.  

This passage deals with the theme Racism  The taller, silent bird are the African American during this time. Also tjr unexpected snake are the white people. It shows that black people are not weak but the had got the black people in a unfamiliar time. Also show that the had got us off guard and didn't have and say until later time.  They snake had "bite" us for no reason , only because of what we look like, and made the bird suffer.

Chapter 6 notes

Question: Why is Lennie Feeling/saying these negative thought? Was he really talking to his Aunt? Is george bipolar? A GUN? Why is he killing him? wouldn't he miss a friend?

Summarize: Kennie went to the lake and he talk to his Aunt, about George. than Georges come and noticed that he was talking to yelling. After he told Lennie to look across the lake and they were having a convo about what happen and their future. Halfway during the convo the other men from the farm come and noticed that George had shot Lennie in head.  At the end all the farmers went out to get a drink.

prediction: I think if there was a other chapter or book, he would really get a farm in memory of Lennie, and let all the workers from the other farm work on it. Also find himself a good nice wife and become new best friends with Slim.

Chapter 5 Blog Post

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 topic that "hit home" the most was Racism/ Loneliness. This is shown by a African american character named Crooks. A personal connection is that i myself is an African american, and my past relatives my have been slave or even lived during this time. I found out that Crook is being lonely by Racism towards the community  All he wants is to be like everyone else and have friends.During the 1930s the was a lot prejudice , and in the book Crook has been working here longer than have the men. And he sleeps with animals, the people in the farm house treat him like his doesn't mean anything. Crooks is an well educated man, more educated than many.

Chapter 5 Notes Of Mice and Men

Questions: Why Lennie is concern so much about tending the rabbits, he should make sure they going to get the farm first? why would George be so mean and tell him that there going to get their own farm? Why does Lennie still talk to Curly's wife even when hes not supposed to? Do you think that Lennie should have slept with her even before she was died? Why when he broke Curlys wife neck he took the dead puppy? If Curly said he wants to kill Lennie , would Lennie win in a fight?

Prediction: I think now Lennie is going to die, because everyone is against him, even if hes mental.And George would be the to protect him like he says he promise  Maybe after they kill him George will have nobody and he can finally get a girlfriend a spend all his time on her. Also if he dies he might really get a farm in memory for him.

Summarize: What happen in chapter 5  was so far All the guys went out of time to go to a whore house , also they left Lennie, Crooks and Candy by their self . Lennie killed Curlys wife by breaking her neck because he was playing with her soft hair.After Lennie noticed she was died he took the dead puppy that he also killed and went to the hiding place George told him to go to. Everyone thinks that he did it out of meanness which he didn't. Curly is really upset and now want to kill geogre.

chapter 4 notes of Mice and Men

1) your reading.  Your summary should not be more than about a paragraph, or 5-7 sentences.
1) Question:  Write down the names of characters involved, as well as where and when the story is taking place at this point in the text.  Next, write down questions you have about the story or characters, and any questions about the reading that you did not understand and would like clarification.

2) Prediction:  Write down your prediction for what you think will happen next in the story.  Don’t forget to explain what happened in this chapter that helped you form this prediction.

3) Connection:  Write down anything that you found familiar:  either a situation you have experienced, a character that reminds you of someone, or an event from the story that is similar to something you have already read.  *Remember to use good technology ethics!  Do not expose names of people anyone could or would know.  Use good judgement!

4) Summarize:  Re-tell, in your own words, the main plot and important details of your reading.  Your summary should not be more than about a paragraph, or 5-7 sentences.

5) Reflect:  Write down any quotes, sayings, or moments that affect you in some way.  So far, what do you think is the reason the author wrote this book?  Are there any themes you recognize?  Do you like the book so far?  Why or why not?  What changes could be made so that you understand or connect with the story better?
5) Reflect:  Write down any quotes, sayings, or moments that affect you in some way.  So far, what do you think is the reason the author wrote this book?  Are there any themes you recognize?  Do you like the book so far?  Why or why not?  What changes could be made so that you understand or connect with the story better?

Question: Why cant nobody enter into crooks room. Is he the only black person working there. If he wasn't would each black person get their own room? Just because he's different color, why cant they take him out? is there a law? He has been their for a long time to be treated like that , i would expect him to be consider like family. How can Curley's wife make crooks, hang up a tree? Who would be anything that comes out her mouth. How come George didn't bring Lennie out of town? Do you think that curley
's wife regrets marrying him? 
Prediction: I predicted that the guys will come back and George will be mad at Lennie for going into Crooks room, but than realized that he is a good man. Also he might let Crooks work for him if he do get the ranch. i also feel like Lennie is still going to sleep with Curly wife because she is very inserting. i also feel like they will let Crooks play cards and might even have friends to talk to. 
Connection:  I have a connection with a book called Summer of My German Solider. crooks and Aaron are very similar. They were both guys of different race. Crooks is an African American who is being treated differently because the color of his skin. Arron is being treated because he is a different race. The way that they are being treated is they are in different time period were society is being prejudice towards a grump.

Investing 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? 

 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?

     George and Lennie have a strange relationship to most people. They need each other like sun rise and sun set. In their relationship Lennie is powerless towards George. he controls everything in the relationship, and even if this is so without Lennie he would be powerless towards the community. It express Steinbeck position on the individual vs the community. they are against the community because he looking for the best for each other.

Chapter 2 Notes

Questions:  Is Curly wife cheating on him ? in the story it say that she has an eye , and was looking at Lennie . Will Lennie and her will do something? In chapter 2 , George tells Lennie if anythings happens between them , he has to hide where they slept over night. Why? Why doesn't George just go with Lennie if he gets in trouble, but tells him that he'll come look for him? Why did the guy drown the dogs and not give anyone it.? If Lennie and George were to get into  a fight who would win?

Prediction: In Chapter 3 I predicted that Lennie will do something that Gregory dislikes. Also that someday Curly and Lennie and fight. They might not stay in there new job for long. I also feel that they dog is going to die and maybe at the end of the book, the squash between George and Curly will be finish. In the next chapter I also feel that, one of the guys might confess that he slept with Curly wife, or tries to do something and she gets caught.

Summarize: In the beginning of the chapter Lennie and Goegre came into the workhouse late. They meet the boss and other friendly workers. They had a conversation with Slim and telling him what they miss and needed to know , such as the sons boss does not like cocky guys, such as Lennie. They saw Curly's wife who has an eye on every guy also Geroge wants Lennie to not in trouble with Curly and if he does he want him to hid where they slept last night, in the bush.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

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?  

Some aspects or characteristics of the 1930s are being demonstrated to us at those moments in the text by the setting, which is on the side of the road. Also it shows poverty because a lot of people are out of jobs. They are going through the Great Depression, in between wars alos the dust bowl. John Steinbeck was trying to show use the struggles they are going through by there characterization.   Also some charters are ill-educated. Society  
had changed people by worrying about themselves to survive and look for jobs because food shortage is low. Life was also hard because during the dust bowl limit the food. 


 pictures

 A dust bowl video

Chapter 1 Note Taking

Questions:
    In the frist chapter why does Goerge bring Lennie instead of a girlfreind? Does Lennie have a connection with mice, if so what is the signficatins. What naitionally are they? What did Lennie do so bad at Weed that Gorge doesnt want him to do again? Does Lennie have memory loss ?

Summarize: In chapter 1 Of Mice and Men , Goerge and his bestfreind Lennie are on the road look for a new place to work. Gorge is small and quick and has strong features. Lennie is the total opposite of Goerge , he is a big man, who had  sloping shoulders and walked heavily. Also he is mentally challenged. They are walking on a road and stop , to rest. Geroge finds that that lennie has dead mice in his pockets. Gorege doesnt not want Lennie to do what he did at his lost farm house. Gorege tells Lenie a story about the rabbits and had the convorestion until late and they fall asleep.

Reflect: I think the authour reason for writting this book is for the readers to see how diffucult life was in the 1930s , around war time. Also maybe for us to be greatgul for what we have, because they didnt have much back than. no there isnt any themes i recongizes just yet. Yes i do like it but its not my type of Genre. it could make this more intersting by placing the charcter in a segration farm an dthey being bully because hey dont fit in.

Picturing the History of Of Mice and Men

Think about this section from the beginning of the book:

     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!

        One of the pictures that is similar to the beginging is the man walking north with a small bag with a stick over his shoulders. This man would be George but he is more mentally and physically stable than Lennie. Lennie is Goerge friend who is with him going to find a job. Lennie is menatlly challenge. Soemthing the text and picture show is that are on a lon road and did stop to go get something to drink. Also the man is wearing a hat in the picture as well in the text.
       In the 1930s a lot of poeple are poor. they are moving to Califarna because in the west they was a huge dust bowl that caused them to many of them are farmers and there transpotian is hecked. Some of them walk and cant even bring there whole family because they might not suppourt him. Also there was no food for farmers and the water was dirty as well as people couldnt bath or brush their teeth.