First, just a bit of background about the novel. Since Steinbeck is considered to be one of America's best Naturalist writers, we should probably briefly cover some characteristics of Naturalism.
*Although our class is highly poetic, Naturalism is not. The prose focuses less on imagery and more on explanations and details. While some of the novel includes metaphors and similes (especially at the beginnings of some chapters), most of the novel is free of poetic devices.
*Explores sociological conditions in a mostly objective manner (instead of focusing on the beauty of the language)
*Explores conflicts between the social classes, especially the exploitation of workers by those in power. Watch for examples of exploitation on the ranch as well as illustration of larger social issues happening in the 1930s within the novel.
*Creates stories in which the reader is an observor in the story. Many characters strive for the American Dream.
*Focuses on an occupation or trade. In the case in Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck's story also documents the lives of migrant workers in the 1930s.As far as the genre is concerned, Of Mice and Men is written as a play-novel, or a mixture of both. Each of the six chapters is an extended episode- the action takes place in one scene and begins with a description of that scene.
Characters also exit and enter with what seems like stage directions. Also, you've probably noticed the large amount of dialogue.For your reader's blog, mention at least three key events that have struck you so far. Do you notice any possible foreshadowing? Steinbeck is a master of this! Also, what kinds of animal imagery is associated with Lennie? Crooks? (If you read chapter 4 already.) Why does Steinbeck describe these characters in animal terms? What's the effect and purpose? Other than that, please include your thoughts, ideas, interpretations so far. Raise questions to the class if you'd like as well.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It strikes me that Lennie wants to carry around a dead mouse in his pocket. It is nice of George to help Lennie out and let him stay. I thought that it was odd that Lennie and George had to leave Weed. I picture Lennie as a mouse in the senses but a bear in the physical being. I picture George as a king liopn because he treats Lennie in a fatherly/boss-like manner. Crooks is a small guy that thinks he is so tough. I mean, what is his deal? Just because his dad is the boss doesn't mean that he should treat the workers in a mean way. It is quite funny when George throws the mouse away twice and Lennie retrieves it like a dog. I pictured George as the master and Lennie the pup in training. Steinbeck uses very descriptive language that makes me want to keep reading. I notice some foreshadowing such as when George tells Lennie not to say a word to the boss. Lennie does talk to the boss against George's pleas.
ReplyDeleteI think that this book displays foreshadowing numerous times. For example, when George tells Lennie that if something goes wrong to come back and hide in the brush until George finds him. Also I find it odd that Lennie always has to touch the mouse and carries it around with him. My overall thoughts of the book would be good right now, it is something i enjoy reading. I feel bad for Lennie because of how slow he is, but i also feel bad for George taking care of him like he is a young boy.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the first three chapters it's pretty apparent of the early foreshadowing in the novel. Steinbeck uses the constant occurrence of animals to relate back to the characters. For example, I think the killing of Candy's dog will later become important. The dog was blind and according to Carlson smelled, although he wasn't hurting anything by being there Carlson insisted on killing it. I thought that showed how the ranch hands were ready to dispose of anything that had outlived its life, or anything weaker than them. When Candy first disagreed with Carlson about killing his dog it seemed because he had an attachment to the dog from raising it as a puppy. Then before he gave in, I felt he was fearing the ranch hands would soon dispose and get rid of him because of his age and growing weakness.
ReplyDeleteThis book got a slow start, but I think it's picking up a bit. I was really surprised when Curley's hand was so crushed because Lennie squeezed it. It really gives a good perspective of just how strong Lennie and how much he doesn't even realize it. A lot of times Lennie is referred to as a terrier. I'm not positive as to the connotations with this, but I'm assuming it is describing how dependent and helpless Lennie is. Somewhat like a puppy. i think the author does this for the ironic effect. It makes people thing a little more than if he just said he is dependent. And its not so boring. I'm wondering if the part when Candy said he would write a will and leave everything to George and Lennie is foreshadowing. Maybe he won't be around much longer.
ReplyDeleteJust by glancing the first chapter, it appears Lennie cannot function without George. George, like he said in his rant, can function without Lennie but chooses to not to, since he in a twisted way, cares deeply for Lennie. The book clues in that they have been through a lot in their lives, and often times, on the run for Lennie's mistakes. Much of the foreshadowing happened down when they were near the lake/pond with Lennie threatening to leave George. George reminds me of a shrewd mouse who thinks a lot and to help himself. Lennie reminds me of the gentle bear, who is big but also has a big heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat caught my attention in the beginning was the contrast between George and Lennie in both interior and exterior description. George is thin and quick, and is clever and more dominating in personality. Lennie is all brawn and no brain, and can certainly be described as a gentle giant. I think that even their names could be switched. George seems like a name that would be fitting of a big, dumb guy; and Lennie, a skinny, little guy. I also noticed some of the foreshadowing that others have commented on. In the beginning, with George telling Lennie how to hide if anything happens, it is stronly hinted that Lennie is going to be the main source of conflict. I also felt the importance of Carlson shooting Candy's dog in it's paralleling and foreshadowing of characters. Everyone wanted to get rid of the dog because it was a problem for them and for itself; I compare this to Lennie being thought of as a nuisance. However, Candy was attached to the dog and was never really bothered by it, similar to how George can't really imagine himself without Lennie, no matter how much he complains. When Curly's wife was first introduced, I figured that she would be a large point of conflict, with her being an object of admiration for Lennie. And of course, Curly, the epitome of "little man syndrome," would be involved somehow.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Candy's dog has great symbolism. The dog is a great importance to Candy, but nonetheless, everyone else on the ranch wants to kill the dog because it has grown weak and has no more purpose. Candy states that his dog used to be one of the finest sheepdogs he'd ever seen, but it serves no more importance to anyone else because it has grown old and has no more use. The emotional attachment Candy has for the dog seems foolish to everyone. I can't help but think this dog will compare to Lennie in the future. Although he is strong now, what will become of him once he grows old and has nothing left of him?
ReplyDeleteThis novel has been good so far and is actually something I like reading. One key event that struck me was how Lennie was carrying around a dead mouse. A person would think that if someone loves something they would be gentle with it. This just shows that Lennie has almost too much love to give and ends up crushing the mouse. I'm afraid that the same thing will happen to the puppy Lennie is given. Another event that was interesting was the killing of Candy's dog. Like everyone else, I believe that it is symbolism because the author spent so much time on the subject. Candy's dog was just thrown out because it could not be of any use anymore. The author also shows foreshadowing in that George always keeps telling Lennie that if trouble happens to go hide in the brush. George repeats this to Lennie over and over again. I wonder if this trouble will have to do with Curley, Curley's wife, or something else entirely.
ReplyDeleteSome key events that have struck me so far in the novel have been the mice that Lennie likes to keep yet he's always killing them, the flashback to the reason why Lennie and George left Weeds, and a third event was the ending of chapter three in which Curley tries to fight Lennie. Two of these events also serve as foreshadowing in the novel. The dead mice foreshadow the fact that Lennie has trouble keeping his extreme strength in check. The flashback also backs up this statement by telling the story of Lennie and the girl's dress that he just wanted to touch, but couldn't let go. I have noticed that Steinbeck often depicts Lennie as a puppy. This imagery is the complete opposite of Lennie's physical characteristics. However, mentally, it matches him perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI strikes me that no matter what happens Lennie always seems to somehow end up in the middle of it and gets much greif from it. For example, when the boss first comes in and George has told Lennie not to say a word, Lennie in return only gets punished and looked at as suspicious. Another thing that strikes me is how George is so protective over Lennie. This seems like it is going to hurt Lennie in the long run and might be a bit of foreshadowing. Lennie's hard work ethic really struck me as well. He works so hard but is looked down upon so much because he is slow. I believe this could also become a problem for Lennie in the long run because Curly and his father may look beyond his hard work and judge his other doings in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rachel about the dog having symbolism and relating to Lennie. I really like the book so far but was traumatized when they killed Candy's dog. Frankly, I hate Curley. He's a defensive jerk who married a harlot of a wife! But The book has a good flow to it and great range of characters. Because George, Lennie, and Candy's dream of their home is going so flawlessly, it's apparent that something will happen or go very wrong.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the first three chapters I believe that this novel will become another favorite of mine. I see a lot of foreshadowing throughout these chapters, like Carlson killing Candy's dog, the dead mouse, and the brush. I am looking foreward to finding out if these objects will mean something later.
ReplyDeleteLike other people, one thing I thought was unusual was Lennie carrying the mouse around in his pocket. I think George saying Lennie touches things he likes is going to be important later in the novel. Another thing I noticed is not just how the workers thought of the dog, but the close similarities between the people. Candy is attached to the dog just like George is attached to Lennie, but the dog and Lennie seemed very close alike. Besides Lennie being associated with a dog, he was also described as big and light eyed, just like the dog, while the rest of the men were darker and didn’t have anything in common with Lennie or the dog. I think the workers shooting the dog because it was useless is foreshadowing that something bad is going to happen to Lennie; perhaps they are going to try to get rid of him after something bad happens and they think he is useless?
ReplyDeleteThe book kinda got a slow start at first but after I became intrigued in the characters, it became a much easier read. George and Lennie seem to be good friends. Its funny how the book mostly mentions Lennie relying on George for everything. Alternitively, it seldomly mentions George's dependance on Lennie. It is hard to see but I think they run a mutal dependant and interdependant relationship. I enjoy the book now but I am becoming fearful for Lennie.
ReplyDeleteI believe something bad is going to happen to him either from Curley or Curley's wife. She seems unpractical and unfaithful towards Curley. I think Steinbeck definentaly uses foreshadowing in the novel. I've caught many instances where this is true. For example, the instance when Lennie held onto the girl's dress. This definentaly foreshadows Curley's wife. Also, George keeps telling Lennie if we gets into trouble, to hide in the bushes. That makes me know that Lennie is surely in for something. I like the book in the fact it is mostly dialog and straightforward. It makes it so much easier for me to understand intead of the fancy writing filled with symbols and metaphors. Overall, I am really enjoying this novel.
In the novel, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Lennie tends to be the kind, but mentally handicapped character that continuously gets taken advantage of. While Lennie and George were working for the ranch in Weed, Lennie was accused of rape of one of the girls there. In reality, Lennie only touched the girl's dress because it looked soft. The girl, who most likely knew of Lennie's handicapp overreacted to get Lennie in trouble and then accused him of rape. Another example of Lennie getting taken advantage of is when George was explaining all the jokes he played on Lennie before he really had to look out for him. Finally, Lennie gets taken advantage of when Curley comes back from the barn looking for Slim and tries to fight Lennie for no apparent reason. These three key events that took place during chapters are examples of the conflicts between the different social classes during the 1930s; the rich elite class treats the poor and working classes brutally and unjustly. Also the socially smarter and better off people treat the not as smart and not as well off unjustly. This happens when George takes advantage of Lennie before he has to care and look out for him. The novel, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck seems to mirror the evils of society by creating extreme characters to represent the different classes. Curley, the boss at the ranch, the girl that accused Lennie of rape in Weed, and Curley's wife represent the wealthy elite ruling class, while the workers at the ranch and especially Lennie represent the poor and working classes.
ReplyDeleteThis book was hard to read at first, but now, when I am getting to know the characters better, it's becoming a really fast read. I really enjoy the play-novel format of this book, in that it is mostly dialogue instead of descriptions. At the moment, I feel bad for Lennie because he is misunderstood by a lot of the characters, and mistreated by George. Some foreshadowing that I noticed early on is that Lennie always kills the mice that he loves to keep, which shows off how he can't completely control his strength. Steinbeck used foreshadowing again when he mentioned how Lennie wanted to "pet" the girl's dress in Weed, but just couldn't let go. At this point in the novel, I find that Lennie's compulsion to touch things that he likes, including dead mice, is quite odd, and George's mistreatment of Lennie as well as his protectiveness is also a key factor.
ReplyDeleteSo far this book is pretty interesting to read. Lennie and George's relationship is rather intriguing for how they treat each other. It made me mad when George would pick on Lennie, and make him feel worthless. On the other hand I feel bad for George having to take care of Lennie like he's his little brother. The fact that Lennie likes to pet dead mice is kind-of striking to me. I feel Steinbeck definitely uses foreshadowing throughout these three chapters. For example, when Carlson killed Candy's dog, and how he said to George he had wished he killed him himself seems to me that another poor decision will arise. That part of the story makes me wonder for why else would Steinbeck include that part? Another instance of foreshadowing seems to deal with Lennie's fight with Curley and how strongly he reacted in a confused situation. I must admit I am curious to keep reading, and enjoy the novel so far.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the first three chapters go, I really like this book. The characters are all so varied but play off of each other really well. I really love Lennie, he's so sweet and willing to please, just like a little kid, though he is also very similar to the way a trusted dog is. Lennie is so loyal to George, and the bond between the two obviously runs very deep. Lennie definitely seems to be the character that the book is going to be centered around. Especially since most of the key events are centered around Lennie: George and Lennie running out of Weed after the incident with the girl in the red dress; the repeated killing of mice by Lennie; and finally the fight between Curley and Lennie in the bunk house. I agree with a lot of other people about the fact that Steinbeck has been foreshadowing the events of Lennie's uncontrolled strength, starting with the dead mouse, and leading to the fight between Lennie and Curley. Now I'm wondering whether there will be another incident of Lennie losing control of himself in a way that scares or harms another. I'm almost worried about what might happen between Curley's wife and Lennie, noting that the event of the girl in the red dress might be foreshadowing to another event in the future.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found very interesting in the book is the unique relationship of Lennie and George. George is constantly yelling at Lennie and telling him how better off he would be without him. Although it is also apparent that he cares about him when he stands up for him when Slim calls him crazy. What I also found interesting is the numerous foreshadowing found in the book. One that I think is relevant is the feeling Lennie had when he first saw Curly's wife. I feel that Lennie's curiosity is going to take the better of him, and lead him to even bigger trouble with Curly.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Grace...
ReplyDeleteI feel that George has this personality where you likes to be in charge of Lennie and teach him lessons, so he says the mean things to him to try to play the father of him. You can tell that George loves Lennie, George would do anything for him, as well as lead him into the right directions. I have a question, does anyone think that George playing Solitaire all the time is symbolism for his personality?
So far I really enjoy reading this novel. In my opinion, the dialogue makes the book more entertaining and a lot quicker to read. The relationship between George and Lennie is somewhat frustrating though because George seems to have taken advantage of Lennie in past situations. At the same time, I feel bad for George because he is constantly babysitting Lennie. I really like Lennie even though he is a bit odd when it comes to petting the animals. I think the fact that Lennie has a difficult time controlling his strength in certain situations may be foreshadowing an event that could take place later on. The statement that George makes to Lennie about hiding in the brush if anything goes awry also seems to be foreshadowing some negative event.
ReplyDeleteThe dead mice at the beggining of the story seem to me to have fadded away, now replaced by the puppy. Both of these animals obviously parallel Lennie in his personality traits, and even in some phsical aspects. Not in size like the mouse, but when Lennie hung his head after speaking is like a dog who knows they have done wrong. Also, when Candy said he should have shot the dog himself made me wonder about future events for George and Lennie; not just in fear for Lennie but in a relationship where Lennie is the dog and George is Candy. Will George have to harm Lennie personally, for his own good? Finally, I feel like the hand crushing incident is not the last of the trouble that will be caused by Curley or his wife. Those two will definately cause trouble such as the girl back in Weeds.
ReplyDeleteI really like this book so far, and I really like the characters in it, too. There are parts of this book that make me afraid of what will happen as the story progresses, especially what might happen to Lennie. One thing that makes me nervous is how Lennie is drawn to such fragile things, and his love for them becomes a danger to their lives. When George tells the story of how Lennie would kill the mice and the fact that Lennie won't leave the puppies alone just makes me nervous about how much power Lennie possesses, and his failure to ackowledge that power. This fear becomes more realistic when George mentions the tale with Lennie and the woman in the dress, which also leads me to worry about Curley's wife and what more conflict she can conjur up. A major conflict comes in the book when Lennie crushes Curley's hand. One can tell that Lennie's instinct is to avoid conflicts like these because he doesn't fight back at first. The things he does to stop the conflicts, such as pinching the mice's heads and crushing Curley's hand show that Lennie can't really grasp the gravity of his actions. These events cause me to worry constantly about poor Lennie and all the awfully possible situations that can occur.
ReplyDeleteOf Mice and Men has an interesting story, but it would be drab and mediocre without the great characters. Normally I hate an exaggerated character like Lennie but he really seems to fit into the novel. One event that really struck me as odd was when Candy's dog was put down. I just thought it was weird that the same day George and Lennie show up is the one day after all the years of Candy's smelly dog that the men finally decide to put him down. I also hated how George told Lennie to fight back against Curly, even though he knew what would happen. he could have ruined their chances of ever buying he house, even after the 12 page description of how good it would be. Another part about Curly I don't get is why he backed down from slim but not Lennie. Slim insults Curly and talks back at him for being accused and Curly doesn't really want to fight him but instead he picks Lennie out of all the other people in the room because he's smiling, even though Lennie is a tank. The foreshadowing is a little too obvious, it seems like Curly HAD to fight Lennie just because George warned him about it earlier in the book, and they'll probably get back in trouble and have to meet in the bushes. Maybe peaceful Lennie will kill some cats with sticks and snap their necks with his bear hands for eating rabbits if they ever get their house, but considering how short the book is I doubt there will be enough pages for them to carry out their plan of working for a whole month and buying the house. Curly is called a terrier or small dog a few times, and Lennie is associated with a lumbering bear and is like more of a big stupid dog that follows his master "George" unquestioningly, or as best as he is able to comprehend.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very sweet of George to care for Lennie so much. Yes, he yells at him and even rants to him about what he could do if he didnt have to care for Lennie, but you can tell that George really does care. George is the one that gets Lennie jobs and helped Lennie when he touched a girl in Weed. George cooks for Lennie and also tells him not to speak when they get to the ranch. He does all of these things because he cares for Lennie and wants him to be okay. The meeting place at the campsite is another sign of George's love towards Lennie, showing that if Lennie gets in trouble, there is always a spot where he can go to find George. Their relationship is a little complex but deep down you see the love and appreciation each one has for the other.
ReplyDeleteOne of the first things that stood out for me was the fact that George constantly complains about what his life would be like without Lennie. He keeps saying that he would be living an easy life with money, great food, and of course, lots and lots and whiskey. However, it seems to me as though George really depends on Lennie. Lennie is really the good worker because of his strength and George uses that to get these jobs, but also Lennie is someone that George can talk to; if Lennie is not there, then George is just another ranch worker with no future and no one to talk to. Another big point was the killing of Candy’s dog and Candy himself. The reason that Carlson kills the dog besides that fact that it stinks is because Carlson thinks that he is doing the dog a favor by putting it out of its misery. Later, when Candy is talking with George about there future plans, Candy asks George if they will put him down when he gets too old, like Carlson did to his dog. I think this is a bit of foreshadowing of a possible separation between George and Lennie because of Lennie’s disabilities similar to the dog and Candy. Finally, George seems to always be repeating to Lennie what their future home will be like. This is very similar to the “American Dream”, living a life of freedom and happiness. However, that dream is not always achieved and this might be foreshadowing for the possible failure of George and Lennie’s dream.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Lennie and George is extremely interesting to me. It is kind of like a child and his/her parents. There is no way that Lennie would be able to properly function in the world without another's guidance, in this case, George. In the beginning of the book, I was struck by the fact that George didn't really take advantage of Lennie. Considering that although its ideal to have someone take care of Lennie selflessly and without taking advantage of him, a lot of the time that wouldn't be the case. Then it sort of made sense when George was talking and said he used to take advantage of Lennie but stopped once he realized its dangerous potential. I think that made the relationship all the much better to me, as a reader, made it deeper and more complicated.
ReplyDeleteCurley's character and position, although extreme, is not unheard of or nonexistent. Although an extreme version of most cases, in all aspects of life, you will see that unjust favoritism/inequality in efforts or achievement of status.
I believe there are two reasons why Candy was so attached to his dog, one of which is more emphasized than the other. First, of course, is that he raised the dog from a young age and consequently has a strong connection with it. Second, to an extent the dog reminds Candy of himself. The other characters speak of the dog being useless, and therefore not worthy of being helped, kept, or tolerated. Candy, himself, is getting to the point where he is useless, and fears that if his co-workers have that mentality towards the dog, they would soon have that mentality towards him as well.
I am really getting into this book so far. It's becoming intriguing to read. One event that has struck me is the fact that George wants to keep mice in his pocket. I'm curious to see what deeper mean there is behind it and see how it contributes to the title, "Of Mice and Men." Another thing that has i've noticed is foreshadowing when George tells Lennie to go back to their camp and hide in the brush if something were to happen. This stood out to me after the trials they face at their new job. The third thing that has stood out is, like most others have said, the relationship between George and Lennie. I agree with Jesse- George complains about Lennie and how his life is with him, yet he doesn't tell Lennie to leave when he offers to go live a cave. Their relationship is co-dependent: George depends on Lennie for his working ability, while Lennie depends on George as a companion. They make an interesting pair, and I'm curious to see how it changes throughout the duration of the novel.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I hate my computer with a passion. Now that being said, I have been very interested in this story so far. It doesn't have your traditional plot line of hero/heroine trying to prevail over some external conflict. The story seems to be more of an account of the life of two men, Lennie and George. Both of these characters have some interesting characteristics and quirks that make this book so enveloping to the reader. Lennie is...out there. I'm not sure if I should mark him as dangerous to everyone including himself or just as misunderstood due to his mental incapacities. His fascination with animals, both dead and alive, is very unexpected and I am quite curious at the significance of that. In my opinion, the best part of the first three chapters was when Lennie crushed in Curley's hand. To see this little jerk, Curley, brought to his knees for trying to pick on Lennie when he had not done anything left me chuckling to myself. George is an entirely different character, obviously. He seems like he tries to be in control and that he knows everything going on, but I'm not quite sure if this is just a visage. The most interesting thing about George is how he is always playing with cards. Is he really playing a game or is it just a nervous habit? Steinbeck mentions him playing both solitaire(?) and euchre, but he does not mention it after that. At the top of my list in characters though is Slim. Slim is who I would call the John Wayne of this story. He is an extremely cool character who everyone seems to instantly trust. Also, he seems like he's very rough and tough but knows when and where to pick his fights. Lastly, when he goes and cares for his horse it shows his caring. I only have one more question about the story. What is the point of Candy having a dog and Carlson going out and killing it? Is Steinbeck trying to make everyone empathetic(?) or is foreshadowing something? Any ideas anyone?
ReplyDeleteSo far, I really enjoy the story. I like how different each character is and how Stteinbeck stresses their individuality. It amazes me how George and Lennie can be such good friends, when they have totally different personalities. they both share the dream of one day owning their own land, but I wonder if it's ever going to happen. Steinbeck foreshadows a lot of negative things like hiding in the brush, or Lennie's problem with touching things he likes.
ReplyDeleteI find the relationship between George and Lennie to be interesting considering the differences in their personalities. George seems more like a protector of Lennie even though Lennie is very strong and big in stature. Lennie has the mentality of a child considering that he always looks to George for help. I also thinks its quite curious that Lennie has such a strong infatuation with mice and rabbits, he tries to care for the mice but ends up killing them because he doesn't know his own strength. There is also a lot of foreshadowin in Chapter 1 when George was talking about how Lennie couldn't let go, which kind of gives some indication as to how they got in trouble and there is also the foreshadowing to events when George tells Lennie to hide in the brush if there is ever any trouble. I thought that the death of Candy's dog was really sad. It showed a lot of symbolism with Lennie.
ReplyDeleteOkay...so in the novel so far, many different, and odd things stood out to me in the plotline. One such example is when, near the middle of the first chapter, George discovers that Lennie is concealing a dead mouse in his pocket for the purpose of petting. Maybe Lennie's obsession with soft things could not only imply his dependance on outside objects for his own personal security, but also could it forshadow how his obsession or material needs could end in dire consequence? Another event that really stuck out was that George had told Lennie that he didn't want him to talk when they reached the ranch. To me this resembles the average man's (at the time) mentality that those mentally handicapped, or slow, at the time were completely inferior to the common man. For this reason, George talked for Lennie to the boss, who ironically thought that something strange is up between the two of them. The final event that stood out is; after discussing Curley's wife with a fellow worker, she comes by George and Lennie's cabin and is visibly flirtatious with the two of them, and Lennie was virtually spellbound staring at her. Could this possibly be a foreshadow things to come? Another mess like Weed? Hm......... :)
ReplyDeleteI have noticed many interesting things in this novel so far. First, the differences in personality between Lennie and George are extreme, but they complement each other. George is the more focused and driven personality because he is the one who keeps things moving forward and he has the big plans of owning land and where they are going in life. Lennie has the child-like mentality and only seems to be focused on the here-and-now of whats going on around him, proven by the fact that he cant remember what George has told him and also his fascination with mice and rabbits. George is the focused one who takes care of Lennie but Lennie provides friendship to George during the rough times. Another event that stood out to me was the whole dead mouse thing. Why would Lennie be obsessed with a dead mouse? why not find a live mouse? It seems like the mouse and eventually the pup are comfort items, stressing even more his child-like mentality and also his need to be taken care of by George. Lastly, I think that when George told Lennie to come back to the place they camped if there was any trouble is foreshadowing. Why would the author need to include a safe place for them if there was no need for a safe place in the upcomming story? There is going to be some type of problem, just like there was the incident in Weed.
ReplyDelete