Of Mice and Men Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The Gigantic Rabbit. Looks innocent doesn't it? But it is truly evil.

Chapter 6 Response:
This was an amazing conclusion to an amazing book. This once chapter revealed so much, especially about Lennie. Lennie's visions of Aunt Clara and the gigantic rabbit are obviously figments of his own guilt. This proves that Lennie is intelligent, but he just can't find the ability to harness and show it. Lennie knows, deep down, that because of him, George suffers. He also knows what George must do. His own mind reveals that to him through Aunt Clara and the gigantic rabbit. Sinise does not add these visions in the movie. I think that this is because he was not able to show them in the way that Steinbeck writes about them in the book. Also, in a movie, it would seem completely out of place; out of nowhere a large rabbit appears and starts to verbally beat up poor Lennie. It would confuse the audience, so I think that Sinise made the right choice, though he could have found other ways for Lennie to acknowledge that he makes George's life miserable. Moving on, I think that this book as a whole was a masterpiece, depressing as it was. It really outlined some of the more dreaded aspects of life; loneliness, the impossibility of some dreams, the lack of need for the unusable. All the characters suffer from loneliness, except George and Lennie, because they have each other. Candy and his dog are deemed unneeded because they are no longer of use. Candy's dog is killed for this, as though it was a toy thrown out because it was too old. In the book, I for one thought that somehow George and Lennie would accomplish their dream. But it was was never meant to be. Steinbeck really outlined these morose elements of life.

Of Mice and Men Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Powerslave by Iron Maiden

Into the Abyss I'll fall - the eye of Horus
Into the eyes of the night - watching me go
Green is the cat's eye that glows -
In this Temple
Enter the risen Osiris - risen again.

[Chorus:]
Tell me why I had to be a Powerslave
I don't wanna die, I'm a God,
Why can't I live on?
When the Life Giver dies,
All around is laid waste,
And in my last hour,
I'm a Slave to the Power of Death.

When I was living this lie - Fear was my Game
People would worship and fall -
Drop to their knees.
So bring me the blood and
Red wine for the one to succeed me,
For he is a man and a God -
And He will die too.

[Chorus:]

Now I am cold but a ghost lives in my veins,
Silent the terror that reigned -
Marbled in stone
A Shell of a man God preserved -
For thousand ages,
But open the gates of my hell -
I'll strike from the grave

[Chorus:]
Tell me why I had to be a Powerslave
I don't wanna die, I'm a God,
Why can't I live on?
When the Life Giver dies,
All around is laid waste,
And in my last hour,
I'm a Slave to the Power of Death.
Slave to the Power of Death...
Slave to the Power of Death...

This song, Powerslave, is about the sorrowful death of an Egyptian Pharoah who does not want to die. During his life, he believed he was an immortal, but when his (or her) death approaches, he feels sorrowful and full of regret.

Response to Chapter 5:
The sorrowful event that occurs in Chapter 5 has, well, everyone to blame. If Curley treated his wife better, she would not feel lonely and would not have talked to Lennie. If Lennie had listened to George and not even talked to Curley's wife then he would not have felt her hair and killed her. If George had made sure Lennie would not have any contact with Curley's wife, then she would not have died. If Curley's wife had confronted Curley and told him that she was lonely, then perhaps she would not have felt lonely. It is a chain of mistakes and bad choices from everyone that lead to the tragic event that occured. There is not much difference between the text in this chapter and the movie. However, one scene that did not occur was an emotional Candy blaming everything on Curley's wife and lamenting the fact that the dream of having a place of their own would never occur now.

Of Mice and Men Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Loneliness. Notice that the man is staring out in the distance, without anyone with him. His mind is distant, and he feels incredibly lonely. This connects with one of the more prominent themes in the book; loneliness and companionship. In the book, in the valley of Soledad (loneliness in Spanish), all the ranchers feel exceptionally lonely, except the two friends George and Lennie. These two are happy because they have each other and they have a dream.

Response to Chapter 4:

In this chapter, Steinbeck really outlined racism. The way that Crooks explains his position, stating that nobody wants him around because he is African American, and how he can't go into the cabins and play cards with all the other ranchers. Also, what really showed the racism that was there at the time was how Curley's wife spoke to Crooks. Crooks was brave enough to stand up to her, but, after she spoke to him, he stopped talking and backed down. I personally think that Sinise should not have focused on the loneliness theme rather than the racism theme. However, I suppose that it was the right decision to make. A movie about racism may not have attracted as many viewers as a movie about a woman's loneliness, because of the fact that racism is too sensitive an issue to discuss in a movie. Because of his move to play down the racism, chapter four was completely transformed by Sinise. The scene where Candy, Lennie, Crooks, and Curley's wife are in one room never happens. The dialogue that occurs between Curley's wife and Lennie takes place before George and the men go into town, but that is the only thing that is even remotely similiar to the chapter in the movie.

Of Mice and Men Characters and Response for Chapter 3

Chapter 3

My interpretation of Crooks as Morgan Freeman.



Whit as a stereotypical 'Joe' rancher. Note all the rancher qualities.

Chapter 3 Response:

Chapter 3 was quite an intriguing chapter. Once again Steinbeck has outdone himself. Even for something like Carlson reloading and cleaning a gun's barrel, he writes an entire paragraph, detailing every last step. That is what writing is all about; making descriptions so that the reader can actually see what is going on, allowing them to step into the book. When I am reading that one paragraph (Page 58) I can almost hear Carlson tinkering with his pistol. Such is the power of imagery. In this chapter, a certain structure of power is revealed to us. It gives us insight as to who really is in charge and who has the authority. In the beginning of the book, we think that it is Curley who is in charge and keeps the ranchers in line. But, Curley is actually intimidated by the ranchers, as seen when he bursts into the room with Slim yelling at him. If anything, Slim is the true holder of power, not Curley.

Of Mice and Men Photos and Response for Chapter 2

Chapter 2


The Boss, I thought that this picture fits because it just shows the typical cowboy authority/boss

My portrayal of Candy as Gandalf. I believe that Candy is exactly like Gandalf; both feel lonely and do not have a family, both are old, and both are very wise.



Candy's Dog

My interpretation of Curley. Even though the large man in this cartoon drawing does not represent Curely physically, he does represent his character. Curely is a very mean person who likes to bully around people because of his own lack of certain qualities; the stereotypical bully.



Curely's Wife


Rocker Paul Di'Anno as Carlson. I chose Di'Anno because Carlson is a big stomached man, as is this rocker.


My portrayal of Slim as Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden. Similar features include long hair and a hatchet face.

Response to Chapter 2:
Chapter 2, as I noticed while reading it, was put into the story in order for more of the plot to unveil itself, as well as all the characters becoming introduced to George and Lennie, who, so far, are uncomfortable in this ranch. Steinbeck purposely wrote this chapter so the George and Lennie get acquainted with their fellow ranchers as well as getting to know possible problems that may occur. Foreshadowing takes place a lot during this chapter, such as George telling Lennie to stay away from Curely and his wife, sensing that confrontations would lead to conflict. Overall this chapter helps establish more of the plot and begins to develop the main theme of loneliness and friendship.

Of Mice and Men Photos and Response for Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Picture of John Steinbeck, acclaimed writer and author of Of Mice and Men.

My interpretation of Lennie Small (not drawn by me). I chose this picture because it seemed to outline the characteristics of Lennie, pale eyes and a shapeless face.


My interpretation of George Milton. I chose Tom Cruise because he illustrates George's qualities; strong features and restless eyes.

Soledad

Response to first chapter:

Prior to reading Of Mice and Men, I was unsure of Steinbeck's potential as a writer, and the techniques that he used. However, upon reading the first three pages of the first chapter, I quickly gained some understanding concerning this. Steinbeck is someone that I like to call a "imagery magician". The vivid images that the reader receives during this excellent read are completely stunning. For one and a half pages this wonderful author is able to draw me in by describing the setting of the story in sheer detail. Steinbeck truly is an author of great prowess and talent. Also, the conflict, themes, and plot of the book are incredibly daring, and keeps me turning pages with great haste in an effort to learn what happens next.