1. In the first two chapters of Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck begins the story by laying out the setting. It is described with a river and "golden foothill slopes" curving "up to the strong rock Gabilan Mountains, (Steinbeck 1). Next, Steinbeck describes the two main characters. George is described to have strong features, while Lennie is said to be big and "shapeless of face" (Steinbeck 2). The first chapter should be titled "He forgets" because in this chapter Lennie's forgetfulness is something George complains about, and tells Lennie things that he is afraid Lennie will forget; such as where Lennie is supposed to go if he gets into any trouble. Also, in the first chapter we learn about the incident in Weed and why they got chased out. In the second chapter, they make their way to the Ranch, even though they were supposed to be there that morning, but talk to the boss around ten o'clock. This chapter should be titled "Suspicion" because there is a lot of it going on in this chapter. First off, the boss gets suspicious about George because he is doing all the talking for Lennie. The boss asked "What are you trying to put over?" and George lies in his reply, saying that they are cousins and Lennie was kicked in the head by a horse therefore he isn't too bright. Next, George gets suspicious of the Swamper, Candy overhearing Lennie and George's conversation. When Curley, the boss's son, comes in George gets suspicious of him because he thinks Curley is one to start trouble; he is right. Apparently Curley likes to pick scraps with big guys which worries George because Lennie is a big guy and neither George nor Lennie want any trouble. Last but not least, Curley's wife comes him supposedly looking for Curley, but George also thinks she is trouble and tells Lennie "You leave her be." (Steinbeck 36)
2. One character in the first two chapters that is important to the story is Lennie. Lennie is a huge man and he walks heavily "dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws"(Steinbeck 2) In these two chapters we learn that Lennie is mentally challenged it seems, and forgets a lot. He means no harm, and he really wishes he could remember stuff. "I forgot," Lennie said softly."I tried not to forget. Honesty to God I did, George." (Steinbeck 4) Lennie also likes to hold mice in his pocket so he can rub their soft little heads, but he always ends up petting them too hard and by doing so he kills them. For this we learn that Lennie likes to touch soft or pretty things; also the reason they were kicked out of Weed. Lennie saw a girl wearing a dress, and he wanted to touch it but the girl didn’t understand, and Lennie didn’t let go, so the girl ran back and told people that Lennie had raped her. Lennie's somewhat absent mind is an essential thing to remember in the story, and it lets you know that something might become of it, such as it getting them into trouble as it has before.
3. In the first chapter, George tells Lennie all the things he could do if he was on his own. This shows the reader that although George sometimes wishes he wasn’t with Lennie, that he still stays with him for a reason. He cares for Lennie whether he would like to admit it or not. He has a plan for the both of them, and must not be able to see leaving Lennie alone. On one level, George must have some sympathy for Lennie other wise there wouldn't be a reason to why George still travels with him. As George said, there were so many things he could do, "I could live so easy... I could stay in a cat house... I could eat any place I want...Get a gallon of whisky..."(Steinbeck 12) However, they seem to have a bond that is more important. George begins to feel guilty after what he says, because he knows that they each need each other; "Lennie broke in..."Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you..."(Steinbeck 15)
4.This reading makes me think about how we all need someone to be there for us. It makes me think how hard it would be for me in life if I traveled alone so to say. It is not so much that I am very dependant on others all the time, but I do enjoy having someone to talk to. Last April, my best friend at the time was Chelsea. When something medically serious happened to her and she was gone for a whole month I went about crazy. We did so much together and we always spent time hanging out and talking. True, I had other friends but it wasn’t the same. I don't think I could imagine going through life without having someone to talk to. I'm an only child so most of my childhood I’ve been responsible for keeping myself entertained, but it is not the same because I had friends that I went to school with.
5. Overall, these first two chapters clearly laid out the setting and characters that are necessary to pay attention to. With all the suspicion of trouble makers and what happened back in Weed, I can only predict that more trouble will follow. Perhaps with Curley starting trouble or Lennie making a mistakes. Perhaps even with Curley's wife, for "I seen her give Slim the eye..." (Steinbeck 31) said Candy.
6.
Brusquely - quickly or abruptly
cesspool - a deep hole in the ground into which sewage from sinks, toilets, etc. is drained.
Complacently - in a pleased manner
derogatory - insulting
sycamores - a type of shade tree with leaves like the leaves of a maple tree.
No comments:
Post a Comment