...Free Will People need to realize that their lives are controlled by free will because our decisions shape how our lives turn out so we need to make good decisions for a good future. This is shown in, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and the films, The Adjustment Bureau, and To Save A Life. Firstly, the environment that someone lives in shapes who the person becomes. Secondly, a relationship in a person’s life helps/hinders how a person achieves a goal. Lastly, the way a person overcomes an obstacle shapes a person’s life. In conclusion everyday people are faced with decisions that affect their lives so we need to make good decisions to have a good future, this is shown in, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, and the films, The Adjustment Bureau, and To Save A life. Firstly, the environment that someone lives in shapes who the person becomes. This is shown in “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck when, Crooks who is black, sleeps in the barn with the animals since his black. Lenny notices the light under the barn door so Lenny opens the door to find Crooks yelling at Lenny for intruding his area. “You got no right come in my room. This here’s my room. Nobody got any right in here but me” (Steinbeck, 68). Since Crooks lives in a racist environment he gets treated quite poorly which makes Crooks an angry, cranky and stubborn man towards the other farm hands, and white people in general. This is also shown in the movie “To Save A Life”. Jake and his friends all just think...
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...Of Mice and Men was published in the year of 1937. At the time of this novel being published John Steinbeck was living in Pacific Grove, California with his newly wedded wife, Carol Henning. During this time Mr. Steinbeck was considered a freelance writer and also was a caretaker in Lake Tahoe. Steinbeck’s intentions for writing this novel was to describe and help us get a feeling of life during the Great Depression, along with the struggles they faced with decision making. Of Mice and Men was intended for simply Americans that were caught up in the Great Depression Era but as time went by, it transformed into a book for teens and adults. John Steinbeck is very familiar with the subject of the Great Depression because he was alive during it and was able to recapture the struggles during the Great Depression. Literary Perspective...
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...Of Mice and Men is a popular book written by John Steinbeck. In Of Mice and Men we are shown a brotherly relationship between our characters, George Milton and Lennie Smalls. George is almost like a parent or guardian for Lennie, and Lennie often gets into trouble. Lennie is unaware of his own strength, thus killing many small animals like mice and puppies. The deaths of these animals are just one symbol out of the many throughout this book. There’s symbolism from mice to Curley’s wife, and from Crook’s quarters to Lennie’s puppy. The symbols that are most important include Curley, Crook’s quarters, and the dream of owning a farm. Have you ever had a dream that was deemed impossible or unlikely? In Of Mice and Men we get a glimpse of George’s...
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...Of Mice and Men Theme Essay For many it is hard to live life without a dream or goal to work towards. For George and Lennie, two characters in Of Mice and Men,by John Steinbeck, the friendship and dream shared between them is crucial to their survival. Without each other they would be lost in a cruel world. In Of Mice and Men, a historical fiction novel by John Steinbeck, the theme, everybody needs something to believe in, is supported by Steinbeck's use of writing structure. At the beginning of every chapter, Steinbeck describes the surroundings in immense detail. This structural aspect of the book remains constant throughout the novel. The description of the outside world helps readers understand why George and Lennie need something to hold onto, such as George and Lennie’s dream of surviving on their own and not having to depend on someone else to give them money. In the beginning of chapter one, the surroundings are described as “... beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway in the evening to jungle- up near water.”(pg 2) This quote shows that Lennie and George are walking down the same trodden path that many others have...
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...Collin Ryan Block 8RH Of Mice and Men Essay Many people believe that the novella Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, is the most fantastic piece of short fiction ever written. Some people say this because of the many themes that are depicted in the literature. The statement can be proven true by the two concepts or themes: “the importance of relationships” and the “responsibility to others.” These themes are portrayed by his two main characters George and Lennie. “The importance of friendships” is one theme of many presented in the novella Of Mice and Men. The novella shows the relationship between the main characters George and Lennie, and how they try to reach their goal of owning their own land. It may seem a little odd to the other characters because at the time of the Great Depression it was normal to be alone by themselves. The reason why they were able to survive was only by their friendship that is emphasized by their dependence on each other. When Lennie said, “I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you,” was essentially the true dependence that both George and Lennie have for one another. Lennie also sees his friend George as a role model and sees him as guidance on how to live his life indicated when Steinbeck added the phrase, “he pulled his hat down more over his eyes the way George’s hat was.” George needs Lennie as much as Lennie needs George regardless of Lennie being the one who is mentally challenged and in need of constant directing...
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...Dreams greatly influence people to look beyond their troubles and strongly motivate people to exert more effort towards their goals. Dreams also improve people’s outlook on life as it is a chance for more happiness. This is very evident in John Steinbeck’s novella, “Of Mice and Men” when we see Lennie complain about the bunkhouse but tolerates staying there because of his dream, which is to tend the rabbits. Another example would be George. On the weekend, instead of spending all his on tempting offers, he stashes it in the bank to save up for his and Lennie’s dream ranch. Lastly, Candy is also a prime example of this statement. When Candy is let in on George and Lennie’s dream, Candy’s outlook on life improves and even...
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...and Of Mice and Men are known for his use of realistic dialogue to convey his thoughts on the Great Depression. This dialogue indicates that the author believes, no matter how hard they try, members of the proletarian class could not achieve their American Dream. During the novel The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck uses his characters to show that the Great Depression was filled with hardships for the proletarians consequently limiting their ability to prosper. One example is when, in chapter one, an unnamed man trying to knock down a house says “There is nothing I can do. I’ll lose my job if I don’t do it” (The Grapes of Wrath 45). If this man chooses to destroy a house, he is destroying a family’s dream, but if he does not, his own children may starve. By destroying another man’s hopes and dreams, he is preserving his own. Another example of this is when Tom, regarding Uncle John’s small home, says “He only has one room and a cookin leanto” (The Grapes of Wrath 87). This is a blunt description of life in the Great Depression for the proletarian class. Many people were reduced to living in cramped, one room homes. These quotes show that the characters, due to their low wages and unfair treatment,...
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...life. Whether they are to become a scientist, discover new and amazing things, or become a star basketball player and be the highest paid player in the league; people dream about their future. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, is a story about two men’s, George and Lennie, eagerness of owning their own ranch. The readers follow them through the obstructions that stand in the way of that eagerness, which reveals the nature of dreams, loneliness, and sacrifice. Ultimately, Lennie, the mentally handicapped man who makes George's intention of owning his own ranch worthwhile, becomes the biggest hurdle to achieving that target. Through his use of characterization, imagery and setting, and symbolism in Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck demonstrates that dreams serve as an incentive, particularly when one is faced with the adversities of life. Steinbeck’s diction reveals that dreams cause people to persevere in attempts to accomplish their goals.On Sunday nights, all the ranchmen go to the club and the “weak ones” get left behind: Candy, Crooks, and Lennie. Lennie decides to go into the barn to play with his dog and while he is in there he gets approached by Crooks, the stable buck. At first Crooks is...
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...“The best laid schemes Of Mice and Men often go askew.” is a great quote that sums up Of Mice and Men and is from the poem, To A Mouse. The story, Of Mice and Men takes place in California during the great depression. George and Lennie are farm laborers who are searching for work. The have one dream that propels them forward is to own a house and live off the fatta’ the land. John Steinbeck used many sneaky ways at hinting about future events. He used foreshadowing when the farm dream was dead, when Curley’s wife died and when Lennie died. One way Steinbeck used foreshadowing was with the farm dream being dead, an example of this is when George stops his fantasy. The author states, in doc C, “ Listen to the rain commin’ down on the roof… Nuts! I ain’t got no time for more.” This explains that George...
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...following chart: WORK | YEAR | AWARD | MEDIUM | “The Murder” | 1934 | O. Henry Award | Print | Tortilla Flat | 1935 | Commonwealth Club of California Gold Medal for Best Novel by a Californian | Print | In Dubious Battle | 1936 | Ibid | Print | Of Mice and Men | 1938 | N.Y Drama Critic’s Circle Award | Play | “The Promise” | 1938 | O. Henry Award | Print | Of Mice and Men | 1939 | American Bookseller’s Award | Print | LifeBoat | 1944 | Academy Award nominee for Best Story | Print | A Medal for Benny | 1945 | Ibid | Print | The Moon is Down | 1946 | King Haakon Liberty Cross | Print | Viva Zapata! | 1952 | Academy Award nominee for Best Original Screenplay | Play | N/A | 1963 | Honorary Consultant in American Literature to the Library of Congress | N/A | N/A | 1964 | U.S Medal of Freedom; Press Medal of Freedom | N/A | Based on this list of awards Steinbeck earned throughout his literary career, it is evident why he is so respected and honored in this day. While most people know John Steinbeck as one of the great American writers of all time, many of these individuals do not know the other side of his story: the initial hate and criticism he received for his most popular literary works, Of Mice and Men...
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...“With us in ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us.” (Steinbeck 14). In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck two men have a dream. George and Lennie believe they have a future. They believe that they are special, they are different from the other men on the ranch. George describes a dream farm, which I believe is his and Lennie’s American dream. The dream farm symbolizes the quote “The best laid schemes Of Mice and Men often go wrong and leave us nought but grief and pain for promised joy.” As you can see the dream farm plays a major role in the story. In the story Of Mice and Men the dream farm is a huge symbol of the American dream during the great depression. Off of prior knowledge I know that the American dream during the great depression was to own land. George and Lennie’s American dream is to own their own ranch. The dream farm shows their American dream compared to others on the ranch. “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. They come to a ranch an’ work up a stake and the first thing you know they’re poundin their tail on some other ranch. They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to.” (13) George...
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...There are several major themes in the novel, “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. Themes such as the condition of the working class and friendship. The biggest theme, however, is the American Dream. Steinbeck portrays the theme of the great American dream throughout the book with characters. Characters such as Lennie, George, Curley's wife, and Crooks. The characters of the book represent different styles of dreams. Steinbeck is showing the readers that the American dream is overrated, along with creating unrealistic goals for people. The biggest dream in the novel is the one that is shared between two men, Lennie and George. Their dream is the classic dream of freedom. They want to “live off the fatta the lan’” (page 14), meaning they want their own ranch and animals, along with no rules. However, the dream is very unrealistic for these two specific men. George and Lennie are an odd pair. George is small in size, but not in attitude, with slight anger issues. Lennie is giant-like yet sweet. He is also mentally challenged. So for these pals, their dream is hard to achieve. The reasoning for that is because Lennie usually gets into some sort of trouble, due to the fact that he doesn’t know any better, and making the men leave work. Which means not making money. While George...
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...Of Mice and Men Kiescha Giles Of mice and men is a novel written by author John Steinbeck, published in 1937. It’s about George Milton and lennie small, two displaced workers. Who move from place to place in California in search for new job opportunities during the great depression in United States of America? John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a fable about what it means to be human. Steinbeck's story of George and Lennie's ambition of owning their own ranch, and the obstacles that stand in the way of that ambition, reveal the nature of dreams, dignity, loneliness, and sacrifice. Ultimately, Lennie, the mentally handicapped giant who makes George's dream of owning his own ranch worthwhile, ironically becomes the greatest obstacle to achieving...
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...The Teachings of John Steinbeck, Through the Novel Of Mice and Men During the 19th and 20th century, modernism was introduced. Modernism was a movement that sought to break ties with the classical and traditional ways of life. Many Authors during this time moved away from the American lifestyle and even the country. John Steinbeck was no exception to this movement. In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, the author uses a simplistic writing style to present the two characters “American Dreams”, while also using symbolism to connect the reader to the characters and the plot of the story. Throughout the book there are many symbols, and each symbol has a story to be told and a lesson to be learned. Candy’s dog for example, represents everyone who...
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...Since the beginning of time, gender roles have been a topic brought up in arguments. Women in Of Mice and Men are treated like property. This shows how much women were disrespected and misunderstood. The roles of what women are expected to do in their jobs and in society were not the same as men. Everything from how they were treated in the workplace to how they were expected to act and look was just completely different. A woman’s life seemed to be just more difficult than a man's life. A woman's life and a man’s life in the 1930’s was very stereotypical and very different. Around this time, women were expected to play the role of being a housewife. Woman had goals and dreams, but they couldn't be accomplished because they had to stay home. The evolution of gender roles over the past century have changed enormously. Around the 1930’s/1940 or the Great Depression, when Of Mice and Men takes place women's rights were very slim.Women had very different behavioral expectancies than their men counterparts. While most men went to work, the women stayed home which was not much different than before. However, women often felt as though their role in the home had been enhanced, and it typically did not negatively affect their feelings . Men had to work really hard for money, because women were expected to stay at home and play the roles of housewives. “Nother time I met a guy an’he was in pitchers . . . he said he was gonna put me in the movies. Says I was a natural. Soon’s he got...
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