As a Conclusion

Many authors find the inspiration to write in different aspects of their own life but it seems that Steinbeck found it in a poem. 'To a Mouse' by Robert Burns, is a poem focusing on the fragility of the lives we build. We build homes and a life yet one small thing can tear everything we have worked so hard on to shreds. This is, indeed, the case in the book Of Mice and Men. George and Lennie work incredibly hard to build themselves a proper home in which they will be able to spend their future, but one small event alters the entire plan. Forcing it to collapse. During the mid 1930's, at the time that the book was written, a great depression had brought many people to poverty. This only brought more proof of life's fragile properties. One stock market crash and suddenly numerous people were turned out of their homes; left begging on the streets. Steinbeck's choice to call his book Of Mice and Men was an interesting, yet meaningful, decision. It symbolizes the theory that was stated in the poem and suggests a loss of a home. Which is, in fact, extremely close to the actual plot of the novella. 

Alternative Ending

Orange streaks were etched into the sky. Sparrows called to each other within the brush and thrushes swooped low in the sky; their silhouettes dark against the setting sun. A brook flowed through a small clearing of the brush, the water splashing over small rocks jutting out from the crystalline surface. Translucent drops flying through the air.

A rustling sound came from the bushes as a muddy boot protruded the greenery then came the buzz of contained excitement as five men marched into the clearing. Leading the entire parade was Curley. Rifle swung over his shoulder.

“Where’d that bastard go?” Curley’s voice was loud and it interrupted the peace of the valley. But was met with silence. Even the birds had fled. And the creek seemed to have muffled its gurgling voice.

George was the last of the procession. His feet dragging in the dirt, shoulders slumped, leaving his head hanging. Glaring towards the ground. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his jeans. He seemed capable only to mutter over and over, “ Lennie, ya son of a bitch, I said no trouble. No goddamn trouble if ya want those bloody rabbits… ya son of a bitch.”

The march continued on with low whines from Carlson about his gun until Curley said, “George, ya better know where that bastard be goin’. I ain’t seen no one walk this far.”

George said, “ He be goin’ ‘round here. He ain’t know no other way.”

Slim turned back to look at George. His gaze scrutinizing before he spoke up, “ Curley this ain’t gotta be possible. Ya go with Carlson n Whitt. Go walk back n look under bushes. That son of a bitch gotta be hiding. Me n George’ll walk on. I’ll stay with ‘im. Ya go n find the guy.”

“Don’ let George go… n ill find me that bastard. Shoot his guts out, ” was all Curley said. Then he vanished into the brush. Walking back. His footsteps heavy. Whit and Carlson followed for what Slim said was law.

Only then did Slim look at George. His head and risen and a look had come into his eyes. His posture was no longer slouched, he’d straightened his back and his gaze was focused on Slim; awaiting an explanation. The large man only smiled and continued walking. His pace considerably quickened.

After the two men reached the larger clearing slim skidded to a stop. His heavy, work boots arising a cloud of dust. George finally mustered his voice and said, “Why’d ya do that.  You ain’t gettin’ nothin’.”

“That bastard ain’t mean to do it. He ain’t.” Slim’s eyes grew suspiciously moist but his head turned. “George.. you’re a good fella, take ‘im. Take ‘im away n make your choice. If ya ain’t back ill tell ‘em ya quit. Couldn’t stand it.” With that and a nod of his head, Slim was gone.

George looked after him with a lingering glance before turning towards the path. He was almost there. Almost at the clearing he had promised to meet Lennie. He would be there in a good quarter of an hour, and then they could decide. Suddenly he noticed the last rays of the sun glowing on his face and he hurried on his way; before the sun completely disappeared in the darkening sky.

Curley's Wife

Curley's wife is a unique character in the book. John Steinbeck proves to be extremely talented in character descriptions, especially in this case. Curley's wife portrays a very confident woman that is unsatisfied with what she has and does not hesitate to use her power to intimidate others. However, once a closer look is taken at her she seems to be hiding her true thoughts and feelings pretty well. In reality she is a lonely girl with broken dreams and a brilliant future lost to a ranch married to a man with money, but a man that is self centered and over confident.

The men living in the quarters are already aware that she is just hopping from one man to another, playing her cards, flirting and causing trouble before moving on to the next, regardless of the fact that she has a husband. When she talks sincerely without flirting, though, it is evident that she is just a lonely girl all alone on a ranch filled with only guys. Once upon a time she had dreams to be a movie star, but she has turned out to be just another girl trapped in a loveless marriage and tied to her home.

In most areas of the book she is made to sounds like such a nasty character but in the end I feel slightly sorry for her. She may act like a troublesome woman constanly annoying anyone but she is so much more underneath her tough, controlling exterior.

Perfect Life

Dreams are the fundaments of life. We, as humans, are constantly striving to achieve our goals and ambitions. As for me, I am unsure of what I truly want out of life at the moment. Such as everyone I have small goals but when it comes to the long run I am completely lost. Such as everyone, I have my own list of ambitions and dreams I one day hope to accomplish. A life unlike the one I live in now seems hard to imagine, and harder to imagine are my ideals in this other life. I am aware that at one point, I will have to live a different life but for now all I have is vague outlines of possibility. I hope to one day live in a family and a stationary home.

A perfect life for me would be one that I am able to live in all happiness. One that would cause minimal trouble. For everyone dreams are different, and they change as we change ourselves. Some things are achievable and some are not. However; I think finding true happiness is a common goal that is shared by all human-kind since over the years we have proven to be a greedy species.

Character Foils: Slim

"He might of been thirty-five or fifty"

-This quote shows that Slim might have look old but his working ability is much like a younger person because he is such a good worker

"His tone was friendly. It invited confidence without demanding it"

-This quote shows that Slim is a good person to be around with because he can make people feel good around them and have confidence by using his words but not using violence.

"He was capable of killing a fly on the wheeler's butt with a bull whip without touching the mute"

-This quote shows that Slim is a hard worker of his job and that people uses him as a role model to be such skillful in their own profession

Character Analysis: Curley's Wife

"Oh!" She put her hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward.

- The quote explains how Curley's wife was being a flirt to the two gentlemen; George and Lennie. She posed herself in a way that makes Lennie sort of like Curley's wife.

"If he ain't, I guess I better look someplace else," she said playfully

- It shows that Curley's wife didn't really care if Curley was there or not because she said it in like a jokey kind of way. It shows that Curley has no interest if Curley was their or not, and that she was just having fun joking around.

She smiled archly and twitched her body. "Nobody can't blame a person for looking," she said

- The quote tells that many men has looked at her in a flirty way and that she can't blame those that had for being beautiful. It shows that she is bragging about her looks in a way when she moves her body "she smiled archly and twitched her body"

My Bedroom Description

Cluttered photographs and tattered notes cling to white washed walls, smudged slightly by the occasional fingerprint. The blinds filter strips of sunlight only a single bed against one wall. The sheets tangled into a messy bundle of assorted stuffed animals and plumped cushions. A blue ornate shelf stands on one side of the bed. Filled with the small collections from childhood memories and small momentums of various countries and friends. Chipped paint covers the desk standing against the opposite wall. Once again, cluttered with the loose leaf papers and school books of daily life.

In the beginning of the second section of the book, a description of the Lennie and George's bedroom is written. From just a few, plain sentences a picture is painted and thoroughly described of the barren living quarters. If i were to live in such an empty room that didn't feel homy at all i would not enjoy it. The room that these two men must now live in says something about their current situation since they are unable to afford or live in a proper house that provides them with more then the bare necessities of life.

The room that George and Lennie (along with six other men) shared is extremely different to the one that I currently have.

Of Mice and Men-Section 1 Review

The first section of this novella changed my perspective of the book. I thought it would be a quick uncomplicated story but already, after reading the first chapter, I see that I was incorrect in assuming this. The story has already arisen many questions and the differences between these two main characters took me by surprise.

The two men are complete opposites of each other. While one has a large, burly structure the other is of small frame and quick on his feet. One is a little soft in the head and requires the utmost encouragement to think for even a few seconds, the other is constantly fretting and cautiously thinking over every slight detail. One of them is Lennie, the other is George. It seems that they both share a common wish: to get enough money before settling down on a farm surrounded by rabbits and various other pets. So far, though, it seems as if Lennie is more fixated on the rabbits while George is thinking more in the long run and even hoping to one day settle down with a marital partner.

Personally I found what we have read Of Mice and Men so far to be good and contrary to my earlier opinion, a story with a more complex plot line. However, I dislike the suspense and curiosity that arises, although I suppose that is the main aspect that makes this a good story. I have numerous questions from this section of the book. I am curious as to why Lennie and George are as close as they are. I would also like to know if there is anything particularly wrong with Lennie since at times he seems a little too childish. Lastly, I am anxious to find out if they both survive the next ordeal with Lennie’s forever failing memory.

Of Mice and Men

            Considering I have not yet read this book by John Steinbeck my general idea of the plot along with the characters is extremely vague. Seeing that it is meant to be one of the books written in the year 1937, my expectations have been set quite high. So far I gather that the book is based on the story of two men and the friendship they share over the years of life. Since, it is set in the great depression the enduring of labor and political turmoil is most likely included in the book. 

           From the back of the book I am guessing it is a slightly sad book of two men wanting to live a small peaceful life on a farm in the middle of nowhere. However, their plans get shattered constantly by intrusion after intrusion, and perhaps a romance for one of these men that comes close to destroying this life long friendship. 

California History 1937

1937, two years before World War 2 began, America was already living with rising unemployment, hunger and child mortality. The Great Depression had started and the majority of people were living in the midst of poverty due to this economic crash. Many families, most of which were immigrants, were put out of work or had to send their children into factories to work long hours just to put food on the table. These poverty stricken families mostly lived in one roomed apartments, sometimes cramming more then nine people into these cramped living quarters.

During the Great Depression, on December 10, 1937, California was dealt an especially hard blow. One of the main rivers in California, the North Yuba river flooded one of the towns along the banks. What little these people had was swiped away. Food. Homes. Everything. The whole town was left in a wrecked wasteland trying to piece together whatever they could in their washed away, penniless lives.

A huge drought hit the middle-western states and refugees from the 'dust bowl' flooded into California causing overpopulation in already densely populated area.

Overall the entire United States was affected by the Great Depression, but, California was affected by flooding, indirectly by drought and by the usual poverty.

Sources:
http://www.kentuckymine.org/sierran/Sierran%20Winter%202008.pdf
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist8/ok.html