post 7 of 7 -Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6


Hey Julianna,

I agree with you that Lennie seems to remember the most important information that he thinks is important in his life. I think Aunt Clara showed up in Lennie’s imagination because he felt so much guilt of what he did and wanted to feel like it was truly his fault of killing Curley’s wife and the pup. Although we know it was an accident. I agree when you said that George never really trusted Lennie 100% because he knew that Lennie would forget about keeping their dream a secret and would tell everyone about their plan. George was a nice guy. Who kinda never pressured Lennie to much. Although, he sometimes got mad when their job was at risk.

post 6 of 7 -Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6


Hey Julianna,

I also agree with you that Lennie didn’t want to kill Curley’s wife and pup on purpose because he doesn’t truly know his own strength. I think that Curley’s wife mom didn’t let her daughter get the job because maybe she thought that women were supposed to stay home and do the housework. Another reason could be that her mother wanted her to marry Curley because she thought Curley was a good guy and would give her daughter what she deserved. Likewise, the mom might have doubted that her daughter would be famous in the future and didn’t want her feelings to get hurt if she didn’t succeed.

            Steinbeck might have chosen rabbits because probably when he was younger he wanted to have a rabbit(s), but never got the opportunity. Maybe, Steinbeck’s favorite animal is a rabbit. I think Curley’s wife never had a name because probably the author couldn’t come up with a name that would describe her and would make it a little harder for the reader to cope with the idea that she had died. Like if she was a real person with a name and all.

Post 7 of 7- Julianna

Julianna Hale
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hi Griselda, it's our final post for the first book(yay!)

I just wanted to start by saying that I think it is completely sad about what happened to Lennie. The fact that George cared about him so much that he shot him was so bittersweet. He would rather have let Lennie die and be with all his rabbits and puppies, then to have seen him rot in a jail cell for killing Curley's wife. You are right that a theme is smartness. George always tells Lennie to repeat things so that he won't forget but sometimes he ends up forgetting anyway. In this case, however, he remembered what George told him about going into the brush and waiting for him there. It seems that Lennie only retains the information that his brain thinks is most important in his life. He never seems to forget about living "off the fatta the lan'" or raising rabbits and he doesn't forget about hiding either, his brain seems to pull out the necessary information at the right time. Lennie does end up "seeing his Aunt Clara" but why do you think Lennie thought she was saying what a burden he was to George. I would think that him seeing her would be foreshadowing his death but nothing is mentioned about that. Finally, I do think that a theme in the book is trust. From the very beginning Lennie trusted George no matter what, even up to the very end. However, I don't think George ever trusted Lennie 100%. He was always telling Lennie not to tell other people about their plans of getting enough money to get their own land but even when Lennie did tell, George didn't seem mad at all; like he knew it was going to happen anyway.

Post 6 of 7- Julianna

Julianna Hale
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hi Griselda

I agree with you very much that Lennie becomes heartbroken and frightened. I think it is very sad that Lennie doesn't understand his own strength. All he wanted Curley's wife to do was be quiet; he was touching her hair and she said, "You stop it now, you'll mess it all up...let go..you let go." (91) She started screaming and Lennie didn't want to get into any trouble so he kept holding on and shaking her until her neck broke. I honestly believe that he didn't kill the pup or Curley's wife on purpose. As I said, Lennie is a big guy who doesn't know his own strength and it just got way out of hand. As you mentioned, she was telling the story of why she ended up marrying Curley and it was because her mom wouldn't let her get a good job. I'm guessing that this was probably in 1910 so do you think her mom had a belief that women shouldn't work, that they should stay home and cook and clean or do you think there was another reason? It was mentioned that Curley's wife asked why Lennie had a thing with rabbits and that he likes to pet soft things. This is a completely over analyzing question, but why do you think Steinbeck chose rabbits and not ducklings or lamb? Could Steinbeck possibly have a personnel story about rabbits from his own life? My final question/comment is, why do you think Curley's wife never got a name? She was never called by anything specific; it was just Curley's wife. I feel that she had a big enough role in the book to get a name. Do you think that giving her name could possibly make it harder for the reader to read when she dies because a name makes somebody real, who they are?

post 5 of 7 -Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6

Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna,

While reading your post I agree with you that another theme Crooks portrayed was bravado because as you said, “At first Crooks thinks that Lennie wants to come in and bother him because he is Black but after he realizes Lennie wants to pet the puppies, he lets him in but is still very cautious. He acts like he wants to be left alone but he really does like having the company of other people”.

I agree with you that he treasures his job and doesn’t want to lose it, but currently doesn’t love his job on the farm. I agree with you that he seems like a quiet guy, who just wants to do his job. But he does seem to be a conflicted man, who stands up for what he believes. Crooks showed that when he had the argument with Curley’s wife.

Post 5 of 7- Julianna

Julianna Hale
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hi Griselda

As I was reading your post for section 5 (pgs. 65-81) I do agree with you that a theme in this section in loneliness but I think a more appropriate theme is bravado. Crooks is just sitting in his room and he says, "Don't come in a place where your not wanted" (69). Then he tells Lennie to "Come on in and set a while" (69). At first Crooks thinks that Lennie wants to come in and bother him because he is Black but after he realizes Lennie wants to pet the puppies, he lets him in but is still very cautious. He acts like he wants to be left alone but he really does like having the company of other people. I do agree with you that he does show confidence. He does stand up to Curley's wife but then he loses all that confidence after she says, "Listen, Nigger, you know what I can do to you if you open your trap?" (80), which is exactly what you said.  He stands up for what he believes in but he treasures his job more and doesn't want to lose it. I like that Crooks is a quiet guy. When Lennie talks about petting the rabbits and living off the fat of the land, Crooks brings up living with them but doing a lot of the house work and farming. He doesn't want to lose his job but he doesn't like his current job on the farm; he seems like a very conflicted man.

post 7 of 7 (pgs. 97-105) -Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6

Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna,

          As I read the last section of the book (pgs. 97-105) I noticed a theme Lennie portrayed was smartness because he had remembered what George told him in the beginning. Lennie said, “I di’n’t forget, you bet, God damn. Hide in the brush an’ wait for George” (98).  Another theme Lennie showed was imagination because he thought he saw his Aunt Clara. Lennie was imagining things because he felt guilt of killing someone and the trouble he had caused George from the beginning.

           Lennie’s aunt stated, “All the time he coulda had such a good time if it wasn’t for you” (99). Lennie responded, “I know, Aunt Clara, ma’am. I’ll go right off in the hills an’ I’ll fin’ a cave an’ I’ll live there so I won’t be no more trouble to George” (99). Aunt Clara disappeared and there stood a rabbit that said, “ Tend rabbits. You crazy bastard. You ain’t fit to lick the boots of no rabbit. You’d forget ‘em and let ‘em go hungry” (99). Lennie replied angrily, “I would not forget” (99). The rabbit wickedly said, “He’s gonna beat hell outta you an’ then go away an’ leave you” (100). Lennie yelled, “He ain’t, I tell ya he ain’t” (100). Lennie was yelling George’s name and George showed up. 

          Another theme I saw was trust between George and Lennie. For example, George was making Lennie trust in him because he didn’t want Lennie to know that he was about to kill him. George was telling the story about how they would own land and stuff. George told Lennie, “Look acrost the river, Lennie, an’ I’ll tell you so you can almost see it” (102). George took Carlson’s Luger out, but before killing Lennie in the back of his head, George said, “No, Lennie. I ain’t mad. I never been mad, an’ I ain’t now. That’s a thing I want ya to know” (103). 

         George wanted Lennie to remember the goods times they had together and what they would have been in the future. This connects to real world situations because sometimes people do what they believe is going to be better for others and themselves. For example, when George killed Lennie, he did that so Lennie wouldn’t suffer more. Like getting hanged or go to jail for killing Curley’s wife.

post 6 of 7 (pgs. 82-96) -Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6

Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna,

While reading section 6 (pgs 82-96) I noticed that there were many themes that Lennie portrayed such as heartbroken and frightened because Lennie killed the pup although he didn’t mean to because he loved it. Lennie whispered, “ Why do you got to get killed? You ain’t so little as mice. I didn’t bounce you hard. Now maybe George ain’t gonna let me tend no rabbits, If he fin’s out you got killed” (83). Lennie was also frightened that George wouldn’t let him tend the rabbits if he found out. Likewise, Lennie was angry because Lennie said, “God damn you. Why do you got to get killed? You ain’t so little as mice. Now I won’t get to tend the rabbits. Now he won’t let me” (83). Lennie portrayed anger because he knew that it was an accident, but still hated himself for killing the pup.

When Curley’s wife came in and started talking to Lennie, Lennie replied, “George says I ain’t to have nothing to do with you­­­ ---talk to you or nothing” (84). But, Lennie was consoled when Curley’s wife said, “ Don’t you worry none, He was jus’ a mutt. You can get another one easy” (85). Curley’s wife got mad at Lennie because he kept repeating, “If George sees me talkin’ to you he’ll give me hell” (85). Then Curley’s wife said, “I coulda made somethin’ of mself. Maybe I will yet” (85). She started explaining to Lennie about two individuals who had said she had talent. But instead of working for them, she married Curley because her mom wouldn’t let her carry a career.

Lennie was in his own business and announced, “Maybe if I took this pup out and throwed him away George wouldn’t never know. An’ then I could tend the rabbits without no trouble” (87). Curley’s wife asked, “ What makes you so nuts about rabbits?” (87). Lennie replied, “I like to pet nice things with my fingers, sof’ things” (87). Curley told Lennie, “Feel right aroun’ there an’ see how soft it is (88). Lennie touched her hair and stroked harder. Lennie got angry when Curley’s wife started to scream, so he shaked her hard. Curley’s wife neck cracked. Lennie put the pup into his jacket and left Curley’s wife covered with hay in the barn floor. Candy  saw Curley’s wife dead body and called the others. Curley was determined to catch Lennie and kill him as he stated, “Don’t shoot ‘im? He got Carlson’s Luger. ‘Course we’ll shoot ‘im” (95).

            

Post 4 of 7 -Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6

Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna,

I agree with mostly everything you said on your post. But I disagree when you said that Curley’s wife might not do anything to ruin her relationship with Curley because if she keeps flirting with the guys and gets caught by Curley. Then, things could screw up between them. I also disagree with you when you said that Curley’s wife might not try anything with Lennie because. Curley’s wife might have noticed that Lennie likes her because of the way he looks at her. She might try to flirt with him and get something from him.

Replying to your question of why everyone seems to care that Lennie is in the barn petting the new puppies is that they might be afraid that Lennie will crush them. The reason why is because they know he is very strong, the way he crushed Curley’s hand. Although, they know that he won’t purposely hurt the new pups. I also think it’s funny how Curley and his wife always seem to be looking for each other and asking the people in the barn if they have seen the other one.

post 3 of 7 - Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna,

         Responding to your question about if whether I thought that killing Candy’s old dog was a punishment for Candy and his dog was. I think it wasn’t a punishment for Candy or the dog. But later a relief for Candy and his friends after the tragic event because I don’t think Candy or any of his friends would have liked to see his dog suffer more and get older. I think that was the purpose of why Carlson was so eager to kill Candy's dog. 

         However, I think that shooting the dog was not the correct choice, because instead they could have put him to sleep. That’s what I would have done. But maybe, back then they weren’t as medically advanced, as they are now. I think that the dog’s death was horrible because I don’t think Candy’s dog deserved to die like that.

         I also agree with you that it was really nice of Slim to tell Carlson to take a shovel with him. So that the dog would have a proper burial. Likewise, I agree that it would have been better if Candy would have had a time to say a few words to his dog after his burial. However, I don't think Carlson and the other's should have pressured him like that. They could have given him more time to make his decision.

Post 2 of 7- Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna,

Answering your questions, I think that Lennie acts the way he does because he doesn’t have the ability to take care of himself. He depends on George because he might have had autism. The reason I think this is because he doesn’t really know how to express himself when he talks. In addition, Lennie hasn’t been able to take care of himself since childhood.

            I think he likes petting soft things because little pets are more vulnerable than him. Also, I believe that he feels that he can have the power to take care of someone that is more defenseless than him. Likewise, he doesn’t want to feel like he is a bother to George. That’s why he wants to keep the pet because he wants company and doesn’t want to feel lonely.

Furthermore, I agree with you that an important theme in this section was race because African Americans weren’t treated equally as whites in that time. I also agree that if it were to take place in our era, the African American would be in the same room as whites. Moreover, in our time,  the people wouldn’t care if he was African American or not. Everyone would just get along just fine.

 

Post 4 of 7- Julianna

Julianna Hale
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hi Griselda, I somewhat agree with you that Curley's wife is trouble. She seems to be kind of a flirt but I don't think she is going to do anything that ruins her relationship with Curley. I don't think she is going to try anything with Lennie, George, Slim, etc. I do agree with you that a theme in the book is hope. George and escpecially Lennie have very high hopes for making enough money to live offa the fatta the lan' (57). I think it is actually very sweet that Lennie really wants to have the rabbits because he loves to pet small, furry animals. Something that I was wondering while reading this section was why does everybody care that Lennie is in the barn petting the new puppies? Are they just afraid that he might actually crush them like he did with the mice he had? Everybody knows that he isn't going to purposefully hurt them. However, I do feel like Lennie is strong enough to fend for himself and others. Like you mentioned, he crushed Curley's hand when he was laughing at him. They had to take him to the doctor and everything. I actually like that they use blackmail against him. They say that if Curley tells what Lennie did to him then they would tell why Lennie did it. Slim said, "If you don't tell nobody what happened, we ain't going to. But you jus' tell an' try to get this guy canned and we'll tell ever'body, an' then will you get the laugh" (64). Finally, I think it is very funny how Curley and his wife are always coming in and saying if they had seen each other. They never seem to be in the same place at the same time and everybody is getting mad. George and Slim are tired of saying no, they haven't seen them and they are getting tired of looking for each other. I just thought that was a funny little side note that Steinbeck added.

Post 3 of 7- Julianna

Julianna Hale
Of Mice and Men
John Steineck
Read by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hi Griselda, as I was reading section 3 (pgs. 38-48) I think that you are very right about the growing friendship of Slim and George. They are opening up to each other and talking about the life that George and Lennie had before they came to work on the ranch. George was telling Slim about the time in Weed when Lennie "reach[ed] out to feel this red dress an' the girl let out a squawk, and that gets Lennie all mixed up, and he holds on" (41). That is why they had to run away from Weed and that's why there are in the knew town looking for a job. George feels like he can open up to Slim which is a really good thing. Another thing I saw in this section, which you also mentioned in your post, was when they killed Candy's dog because he was stinking so much; do you think that was too big a punishment or way both for Candy and the dog. Candy just had to lay there in bed and listen to the gunshot while they killed the dog. For the dog, he was so old and sick, I don't even know if killing him was the right choice. I would have just let him die peacefully on his own and left him outside if he smelled that bad. What would you have done? I think it was really nice for Slim to tell Carlson to silently follow with a shovel so that the dog could be properly buried, it would have been nice though if they had asked Candy if he wanted to go for the buriel and say a few words because Candy "had him so long. Had him since he was a pup" (44).  

Post 2 of 7- Julianna

Julianna Hale
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hi Griselda,

As I was reading section 2 (pgs. 17-37) I agreed with you that another them in the book was anger. George stands up for who and what he believes in. He says to the boss, "No, he ain't [much of a talker], but he's sure as hell of a good worker. Strong as a bull (22). George doesn't want Lennie to talk to anyone in fear of him saying something wrong and getting them into trouble. He cares for Lennie. I was also wondering, what do you think are some possible reasons why Lennie might act the way he does. When they were at the brush, he was carrying around the dead mouse because he wanted to pet it, but why? Do you think he could just be mentally retarded, Down Syndrome and they didn't know about it back in the 1920s, or autism which they also didn't know about. They understood the symptoms and signs of autism back in the 1900s but the term wasn't actually used until the 1940s; 20 years after the book took place (http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/history-of-autism). I think that you are right when you mentioned that intimidation was a theme in the novel but I think that a bigger theme was race. The "nigger" had his own living quarters. Also the old swamper said, "give the stable buck hell, too...Sure. Ya see the stable buck's a nigger" (19-20). If this were to take place in our era, the African-American wouldn't have his own room and it wouldn't matter what race he was. Also, people wouldn't "give each other hell" if they were black or not.

post 5 of 7 (pgs. 65-81) -Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna, 

          While reading section 5 (pgs. 65-81) I noticed that a theme that described Crooks was loneliness. He pretended that he doesn’t like being in the presence of people because he knows he would get in trouble by Curley or the boss. But Crook prefers to be treated like a normal person, and not a disrespected African American who doesn’t have many rights. Crook, Candy and Lennie seemed to be having a great time. Lennie and Candy told Crook’s about the plan George and them had. But Crook explained, “You guys Is just kiddin’ yourself. You’ll talk about is a hell of a lot, but you won’t get no land…” (74). Candy angrily replied, “You God dam right we’re gonna do it. George says we are. We got the money right now” (74). After a while, Crooks was getting into the conversation and stated, “…If you… guys would want a hand to work for nothing---just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand…” (75).

          But they didn’t have such a good time when Curley’s wife showed up. All of them didn’t feel comfortable with her there. Another theme I saw Crook portray was confidence because when Curley’s wife came in and she said, “Funny thing, If I catch any one man… I get along fine with him. But just let two of the guys get together an’ you won’t talk”. “…You’re all scared of each other, that’s what… Ever’ one of you’s scared the rest is goin’ to get something on you” (75). Crook responded, “Maybe you better go along to your own house now. We don’t want no trouble” (76). Curley’s wife just kept talking and Crook stated, “I had enough, You got no rights comin’ in a colored man’s room… Now you jus’ get out, an’ get out quick. If you don’t, I’m gonna ast the boss not to ever let you come in the barn no more” (78).

On the other hand, Crook was scared when Curley’s wife said, “Listen, Nigger. You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?” (78). Curley’s wife specified, “You know what I could do?” (78). A theme I found in this section that Crooks represented was intimidation because he was scared of what Curley’s wife would do, if he spoke because he was an African American. “Crooks had reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ego--- nothing to arouse either like or dislike” (79). Crooks responded in a toneless voice, “Yes, ma’am” (79). George and the others came in and left Crooks in his room again.

Post 4 of 7 (pgs. 49-64) -Griselda

Griselda Casillas

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna,

         As I was reading section 4 (pgs. 49-64) I noticed that Curley’s wife seems to be the trouble as Whit said, “Ever’time the guys is around she shows up. …Seems like she can’t keep away from guys” (51). George responded, “She’s gonna make a mess. They’s gonna be a bad mess about her. She’s a jail bait all set on the trigger” (51). I wonder if Curley’s wife will do something that will prove them right? When George and Whit are talking, Whit says, “If you got idears, you ought ta come in town with us guys tomorra night” (51). Whit was inviting George to Sucy’s place because the guys in the barn had a really good time there.

A theme I noticed in this section was hope because without noticing that Candy was in the bedroom with them, George and Lennie started talking about the dream again.  Lennie explained, “We could live offa the fatta the lan’ ” (56). George replied, “…An’ it be our own, an’ nobody could can us…” (57). Candy interrupted them and told them, “S’pose I went in with you guys. Tha’s three hundred an’ fifty bucks I’d put in. I ain’t much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some. How’d that be?” (58). George agreed and they all started talking about how amazing It would be like. George told them, “Don’ tell nobody about it. Jus’ us three an’ nobody else” (60). They promised each other to keep it a secret.

Curley, Slim, Carlson, and Whit entered. Curley was furious and asked Lennie, “What the hell you laughin’ at’ " (61). Lennie was smiling at the great memory of the ranch. Curley was super angry and punched Lennie. Lennie kept repeating, “Make ‘um stop, George” (62). George said, “Get ‘im, Lennie!” (62). Lennie grabbed Curley’s hand so hard that they were going to take him to the doctor. But before they went, Slim told Curley, “I think you got your han’ caught in a machine. If you don’t tell nobody what happened, we ain’t going to. But you jus’ tell an’ try to get this guy canned and we’ll tell ever’body, an’ then will you get the laugh” (63). Curley agreed and they took him to the doctor.

George told Lennie that it wasn’t his fault because Lennie did what he told him to do. Lennie asked, “I can still tend the rabbits, George?” (64). George said, “Sure. You ain’t done nothing wrong” (64). Another theme I saw was loyalty because Lennie did what George asked him to do.

post 3 of 7 (pgs. 38-48) -Griselda

Griselda Casillas

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna,

          As I read section 3 (pgs. 38-48) I noticed that one of the themes was friendship between George and Slim. Slim had given one of the pups to Lennie because George had asked him. George had thanked Slim, but Slim said, “It wasn’t nothing, I would have had to drowned most of ‘em anyways. No need to thank me about that” (38). George told Slim why Lennie and him  traveled together. George said, “It ain’t so funny, him an’ me goin’ aroun’ together. Him and me was both born in Auburn. I knowed his Aunt Clara. She took him when he was a baby and raised him up. When his Aunt Clara died, Lennie just come along with me out workin’. Got kinda used to each other after a little while” (39). Slim said, “ He ain’t mean, I can see Lennie ain’t a bit mean” (41). George replied, “ Course he ain’t mean. But he gets in trouble alla time because he’s so God damn dumb. Like what happened in Weed…” (41).
          George shared his most intimate secret with Slim. George explained to Slim that they had to leave Weed because Lennie had touched a women’s dress and didn’t let go. So the women said she had been raped and the men in the town were looking for them. Carlson proposed again that they should kill Candy’s old dog and if Candy didn’t want to, then he would. When Slim didn’t oppose, Candy said, “Awright--take him” (47). Whit and George were playing cards, but Candy just stared at the ceiling on his bed.

Post 2 of 7 (pgs. 17-37) -Griselda

Griselda Casillas

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna,

          In section 2 (pgs. 17-37) I read that George and Lennie had arrived at the farm that they would work at. We met a few new characters here. George and Lennie met Candy. George and Lennie met the boss who asked them a few questions. The boss noticed that George didn’t let Lennie speak and asked George, “Say--- what you selling’? Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your interest is” (23). George told him that he promised his "aunt” that he would take care of his “cousin”, Lennie. The boss told him that he would watch out for George. The boss told George that he would keep an eye on him . Also,the boss told them, “Go on out with the grain teams after dinner…”.  George got mad at Lennie because he said, “You was gonna leave your big flapper shut and leave me do the talkin’. Damn near lost us the job” (23-24). Lennie responded that he forgot and asked George if he had been hit on the head by the horse as George had said to the boss. George said, “Be a damn good thing if you was, save ever’body a hell of a lot of trouble” (24). George was just angry that Lennie had disobeyed him. 

          One theme I saw that George portrayed was anger towards Curley because he said, “This guy Curley sounds like a son-of-a-bitch to me. I don’t like mean little guys” (27). Curley’s wife came in looking for Curley, but they told her they hadn’t seen her. George told Lennie, “Listen to me, you crazy bastard. Don’t you even take a look at that bitch. I don’t care what she says and what she does. I seen ‘em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her. You leaver her be” (32). 

          After that George and Lennie met Slim. They also met Carlson who proposed to Slim, “why’n’t you get Candy to shoot his old dog and give him one of the pups to raise up?” (35). Lennie heard Slim say that he had five pups left and told George, “You ask him right away, George, so he won’t kill no more of ‘em” (36). Curley came in and asked George if he had seen his wife. George said he had about an hour ago, but didn’t know where she went. George was really frustrated and explained to Lennie, “Ya know, Lennie, I’m scared I’m gonna tangle with that bastard myself. I hate his guts. Jesus Christ! Come on. They won’t be a damn thing left to eat” (37). It seems like George isn’t going to get along with Curley. 

Post 1 of 7 (pgs. 1-16) -Griselda

Griselda Casillas
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Hey Julianna,

As I was reading your first post I definitely agree with you that the most important theme in pgs.1-16 is friendship between George and Lennie. I also agree with the fact that George is the one with the brains and good ideas. George feels that it is his responsibility to take care of Lennie because Lennie is not so smart. For example, when George and Lennie had stopped to rest beside the pool, Lennie took great gulps of water. George said, “Lennie, for God’s sakes don’t drink so much”. “Lennie you gonna be sick like you was last night”. Lennie told George to drink some water. But George replied, “I ain’t sure It’s good water, looks kinda scrummy” (5). As a result, George told Lennie, “…You never oughta drink water when it ain’t running”. You’d drink out of a gutter if you was thirsty” (5). This shows that George really cares about Lennie and doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him.

George told Lennie that they were going to go to a farm just like the one in Weed. George told Lennie, “That ranch we’re goin’ to is right down there about a quarter mile. We’re gonna go in an’ see the boss. Now, look --- I’ll give him the work tickets, but you ain’t gonna say a word. You jus’ stand there and don’t say nothing. If he find out what a crazy bastard you are, we won’t get no job, but if he sees ya work before he hears ya talk, we’re set” (8). It seems to me that George doesn’t really want Lennie to screw things up this time, and politely asks Lennie to let him do all the talking. George and Lennie are determined to get enough money to make their dream come true. Of having their own place, owning some land, and animals.

Section 1 of 7- Julianna

Julianna Hale
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Read book one by Oct. 6
Post by Oct. 6

Griselda, as I was reading the first section (pages 1-16) I noticed that there was one obvious leader and one obvious follower/listener. I think that George was the one with all the brains and good ideas and it was up to him to tell Lennie what to do if he ever got into trouble. For example, when George and Lennie were hiding in the bushes, George said to Lennie, "...if you jus' happen to get in trouble like you always done before, I want you to come right here an' hide in the brush" ( Steinbeck 15). Lennie had no problem following that but George told him to repeat it over and over so that he wouldn't forget. It seems like the two characters are running away from something because they hide in the brush like they don't want to be seen. I also read that George thinks Lennie isn't smart but he still likes him. Lennie says, "If you don't want me, you only jus' got to say so" (13). George replies, "I want you to stay with me, Lennie" (13). Finally, it seems that they have big plans for themselves. Lennie asks George to tell the story of what they are going to do once they make enough money. George says, "we're gonna have a house together and a couple of acres an' a cow and some pigs and..."(14). I think that an obvious theme that can be seen is friendship. There are two guys who don't have to do anything with each other; one is smart and the other isn't. However, they choose to stick together and that shows true friendship.