Of Mice and Men

Chapter 4 Reflection

            In chapter four, some themes that I believe are emerging from Of Mice and Men follow below.

            One of the themes I believe are truly beginning to stand out for me are how Crooks is describing himself as the ‘outsider’. He’s always saying how since he’s black, it’d be weird if people were to hang out with him as there is no one there that is colored at the bunk house/ranch.  Crooks said he’s not wanted and says, “’Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black.” I think the main thing that was being conveyed was discrimination between race/color.

            Another theme is the trust between Lennie and how Lennie still depends on George. Crooks keeps on supposing things that would question the bond between the two. “S’pose he gets killed or hurt so he can’t come back.” He’s making Lennie wonder if Lennie could survive without George. Lennie keeps on depending on George because Lennie doesn’t exactly know what he’s doing. Lennie can’t handle being alone, and what if he gets in trouble? George won’t be there to get him out of it like always.

Chapter 3 Reflection

            One of the themes I have to discuss right now is how Lennie has a desire for mice, rabbits and soft-pretty things. The question is: why does he need them? What I think it means is that he needs comfort. When situations get bizarre, he doesn’t know what’s happening and he needs something. Near the start of Chapter 3, George was having a talk with Slim about Lennie. On page 41, he explained “So feels this red dress an’ the girl lets out a squawk, and that gets Lennie all mixed up, and he holds on ‘cause that’s the only thing he can think to do.” Lennie didn’t know what was happening and he held on to the dress because he needed someone.

            Another one of themes that I think was brought up was the relationship between older swamper Candy and his smelly dog. Candy was saying how the dog was very good at herding sheep. Now, the dog is getting too old and smelly. The dog hasn’t herded sheep for a while and is just there to be a companion for Candy. The dog has outlived his purpose, which is why had to be shot. This relates to Lennie. Lennie is really good at being strong and carrying things. Once he has outlived his purpose, he might be shot too.

Chapter 2 Reflection (Editorial)

            So far, of Mice and Men have many themes appearing in Chapter one and two. I have some themes of my own I would like to talk about.

            One antagonist, Curly’s wife, gives the eye to people, giving a sign she wants to flirt. When you think about her, Steinbeck is showing women in a way that kind of offends them. On page 28, the swamper mentioned, “Well – She got the eye. I’ve seen her give Slim the eye.” John Steinbeck was trying to show how people thought women were like in the years past.

            One theme that has been a massive change was how there was pleasant scenery in Chapter 1 and there is less scenery, but a much-like bunkhouse in Chapter 2.

Chapter 1: The Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green. The water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight before reaching the narrow pool.

Chapter 2: The bunkhouse was a long, rectangular building. Inside, the walls were whitewashed and the floor unpainted. In three walls there were small, square windows, and in the fourth, a solid door with a wooden latch.

The scenes have pretty much-changed showing how different the nature is from work.

The last theme I want to share is about Lennie and George with their dependence with each other. When Curly spoked to Lennie, George answered for Lennie, but Curly wasn’t happy. “Well, nex’ time you answer when you’re spoked to.” Usually ranchers don’t depend on each other much, They aren’t use to dependence. George was making sure Lennie wouldn’t mess up, but Lennie’s dependence for George to answer is a BIG theme in of Mice and Men, relating to isolation.