Detail Analysis
In his novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses parallels in his first paragraph to help outline the main characters and their actions throughout the story. His incredible use of foreshadowing helps us to know the characters before we have even met them.
"the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green." The area is green, representing the idea of being young and new. The river is deep, showing its strength and the dependence placed on it. Lennie is the green character, acting like a young child and seeing everything as new. George could be represented as being "deep," because his thoughts run deeper and have more meaning, and Lennie is dependent on him.
"slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains." The mountains are "strong" and will always be there. The rocks are, in a sense, an extension of the mountains. Lennie is physically very strong and will help George, and George could be said to be an "extension" of Lennie, always staying with him and helping him through life.
"a path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches to swim in the deep pool, and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway." The path is beaten and worn, constantly walked on and relied on by people to get from one place to another. Both George and Lennie are beaten down and worn. Lennie is constantly walked on because he is not very bright and does whatever his is told. George is worn down by taking care of Lennie for his whole life. Lennie always relies on George to help him travel, to get him from one place to another.
Tone Analysis
In Of Mice and Men, the tones of helplessness and obligation convey the dependence of Lennie and George's dedication to him. Several quotes throughout the novel support the tone words.
"I forgot again." Lennie's memory is constantly a hindrance to him and George. He forgot almost everything that happened, and had to repeat things several times to remember them. George would always repeat his instructions to Lennie to be positive that he would not forget them. "Oh, so ya forgot that too, did ya? Well, I ain't gonna remind ya, fear ya do it again." George made sure to never remind Lennie of bad things he had done in the past, in fear that he would repeat his mistakes. Lennie though, did not understand why the things he did were bad. He had to be told whether his actions were right or wrong. "I ain't sayin' he's bright. He ain't." "He's my...cousin. I told his lady I'd take care of him. He got kicked in the head by a horse when he was a kid." George constantly told lies to protect and help Lennie. He lied to the boss of the ranch they went to work at so that he could secure a job for Lennie, and help him to make a living. Without George to speak for him, Lennie would not be able to get a job, and therefore would have no money for food, clothes, and other necessities.
George obviously feels some sort of obligation to Lennie if he is willing to lie to the ranch boss about him. He cared more about getting Lennie a job than getting caught lying to the man. Lennie: "I can go away any time." George: "No--look! I was jus' foolin', Lennie. 'Cause I want you to stay with me." George thought that he had to help Lennie, and would not let Lennie run away to live alone in the woods. George wanted Lennie to stay around, and George felt as though he needed to help Lennie. Also, George stayed with Lennie, never abandoning him, even though George understood that leaving Lennie behind would be the easiest path to take. "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." George thought he should help Lennie secure a job and make a living, going far enough to talk for Lennie and create a charade of Lennie's real past.
Theme Analysis
I believe that the theme of this book is that, in some small way at least, we are responsible for helping to look after humankind. I would agree, in a sense, with the statement "I am my brother's keeper." The tones represented in the novel give support to the theme. George's feelings of obligation towards Lennie parallel the theme, showing that many people do feel as though they need to help others, and take care of their fellow humans. Lennie's being helpless shows that everyone needs some help at some point, and when they are weak or feeling down, they need someone to lean on who is willing to be nice and offer a hand.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Dorothea Lange
Dorothea Lange was quite an exceptional photographer. Her photos were inspiring and often filled the gazer with awe. A series that really caught my eye were the set of Migrant Mother pictures. She saw a young woman with several children in a lean-to tent just sitting on the side of the road, and immediately asked the woman to allow her to take pictures. Dorothea managed to capture the sorrow and hardship forced upon the family during the Great Depression. I felt, in a way, connected to the mother, because I could hardly imagine the terrible times that she had to go through, trying fruitlessly to provide for her family in a time when money was virtually nonexistant in the middle and lower classes.
The photos made me stop and think about all the things that Americans take for granted everyday. While many around the world do not even have enough food or clean water, we walk around all day texting, or listening to iPods, checking Facebook, or trying on our newest(fashionable) clothes for all our friends to see. Our lives seemed to be ruled by possessions, while others fight for life everyday. After thinking about the photos, I immediately became much more thankful for all that I am lucky enough to have.
The photos made me stop and think about all the things that Americans take for granted everyday. While many around the world do not even have enough food or clean water, we walk around all day texting, or listening to iPods, checking Facebook, or trying on our newest(fashionable) clothes for all our friends to see. Our lives seemed to be ruled by possessions, while others fight for life everyday. After thinking about the photos, I immediately became much more thankful for all that I am lucky enough to have.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Animal Farm
In the book Animal Farm Orwell used animals as characters, instead of humans, to tell a parallel story of the Russian Revolution.
A big reason, in my opinion, the Orwell may have used animals, is because the use of actual humans to parody the revolution may have greatly offended many. Humans may have taken it as a more direct insult to their race, and the book would very likely not have been as successful.
Even though Orwell used animals, he applied very human-like qualities to them that allowed them to be related to. Humans could identify themselves with different animals, and could even forget the fact that they are actually animals. The story was very well conveyed, and the themes of the story were well represented and debated throughout the book.
A big reason, in my opinion, the Orwell may have used animals, is because the use of actual humans to parody the revolution may have greatly offended many. Humans may have taken it as a more direct insult to their race, and the book would very likely not have been as successful.
Even though Orwell used animals, he applied very human-like qualities to them that allowed them to be related to. Humans could identify themselves with different animals, and could even forget the fact that they are actually animals. The story was very well conveyed, and the themes of the story were well represented and debated throughout the book.
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Giver
Over the past year, I have been required to read a number of books with all kinds of messages. Some books have been about who we are as people, others science fiction with clues to the future, but one of the most touching and well written stories we have read is Lois Lowry's The Giver.
Jonas is an Eleven, and he is very anxious about the upcoming ceremony of the Twelves. In his world, turning twelve means growing up. It means slowly leaving the world of childhood and entering training for a future occupation. Jonas attends his ceremony to learn his future job, but is shocked when his identity number is skipped at the assignment. But he need not worry, because he is soon announced as the new Receiver of the Memory, the most honored position in all of the city. Throughout his training, memories of olden times are transmitted to Jonas, and he is given all the pain and suffering and all other unknown emotions that were known in past times, but not in his own.
Themes of controversy were represented throughout the book. Choice and freedom was a big issue between Jonas and the Giver. After the idea of choice was presented to Jonas, he began to wonder why the people in the community were not allowed to make their own decisions, such as their occupations or their spouse. He debated with himself over the pros and cons of choice, thinking that it would not be safe for people to decide because they might not make the right decisions.
Another controversial issue brought up in the book was euthinization. When a person in the community became to old, or if a newchild was not acceptable, the were released. Everyone in the community viewed this as wonderful for the old and sad for the young. In their minds, the concept of release was just a transport to another community. Jonas learns later that during release the life of the person is taken away, which introduces him to the concept of death.
The Giver was an exceptional, life-changing book, and I would recommend it to anyone, young or old.
Jonas is an Eleven, and he is very anxious about the upcoming ceremony of the Twelves. In his world, turning twelve means growing up. It means slowly leaving the world of childhood and entering training for a future occupation. Jonas attends his ceremony to learn his future job, but is shocked when his identity number is skipped at the assignment. But he need not worry, because he is soon announced as the new Receiver of the Memory, the most honored position in all of the city. Throughout his training, memories of olden times are transmitted to Jonas, and he is given all the pain and suffering and all other unknown emotions that were known in past times, but not in his own.
Themes of controversy were represented throughout the book. Choice and freedom was a big issue between Jonas and the Giver. After the idea of choice was presented to Jonas, he began to wonder why the people in the community were not allowed to make their own decisions, such as their occupations or their spouse. He debated with himself over the pros and cons of choice, thinking that it would not be safe for people to decide because they might not make the right decisions.
Another controversial issue brought up in the book was euthinization. When a person in the community became to old, or if a newchild was not acceptable, the were released. Everyone in the community viewed this as wonderful for the old and sad for the young. In their minds, the concept of release was just a transport to another community. Jonas learns later that during release the life of the person is taken away, which introduces him to the concept of death.
The Giver was an exceptional, life-changing book, and I would recommend it to anyone, young or old.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
A Closet Cross Examination
DA: So Miss Bray, I see that your closet is quite...unorganized.
NB: Uhm...yes sir.
DA: I see here that you have repeatedly stored uncommon closet items in this space for several years now.
NB: Yes sir. I suppose I have.
DA: Do you not find anything odd about that?
NB: About what, sir?
DA: Miss Bray, could you tell me what this is?
NB: It is an unpacked box, sir.
DA: Hmm...suspicious. And could you tell me what is in it?
NB: Just some stuff from my old house.
DA: You mean to tell me that after living in this house for three and a half years, you still have not unpacked all of your belongings.
NB: I guess not.
DA: Hmm...suspicious. And these clothes...could you tell me where they were stored.
NB: I believe they were just sitting in my suitcase. Oh, and those were thrown on the shoe shelf. And that shirt was on the door knob.
DA: So it is true that you don't actually place things in your closet in a controlled manner?
NB: Well, yes.
DA: Upon entering your closet, we also found a roll of duct tape, an abandoned Mr. Potato Head, and a witch's hat. Tell me Miss Bray, are you a witch?
NB: Not that I know of.
DA: Well then why do you have a witches hat in your closet?
NB: I am not sure sir...
DA: Hmm...suspicious.
NB: Uhm...yes sir.
DA: I see here that you have repeatedly stored uncommon closet items in this space for several years now.
NB: Yes sir. I suppose I have.
DA: Do you not find anything odd about that?
NB: About what, sir?
DA: Miss Bray, could you tell me what this is?
NB: It is an unpacked box, sir.
DA: Hmm...suspicious. And could you tell me what is in it?
NB: Just some stuff from my old house.
DA: You mean to tell me that after living in this house for three and a half years, you still have not unpacked all of your belongings.
NB: I guess not.
DA: Hmm...suspicious. And these clothes...could you tell me where they were stored.
NB: I believe they were just sitting in my suitcase. Oh, and those were thrown on the shoe shelf. And that shirt was on the door knob.
DA: So it is true that you don't actually place things in your closet in a controlled manner?
NB: Well, yes.
DA: Upon entering your closet, we also found a roll of duct tape, an abandoned Mr. Potato Head, and a witch's hat. Tell me Miss Bray, are you a witch?
NB: Not that I know of.
DA: Well then why do you have a witches hat in your closet?
NB: I am not sure sir...
DA: Hmm...suspicious.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Celebration
I find cause to celebrate when I have worked hard to pull something off. Since January, I have been working hard every day on my part in The Sound of Music. I would walk around my house going over my part in the music that I sang, or I would run through my lines in my head.
All of my hard work paid off, because recently my high school performed our play. We had great audiences each night, and no matter what little snags we ran into along the way, we always got to the end with great results. Though I am extremely sad that the play is over, I am happy that my friends and I were all able to try hard enough to have a wonderful show.
All of my hard work paid off, because recently my high school performed our play. We had great audiences each night, and no matter what little snags we ran into along the way, we always got to the end with great results. Though I am extremely sad that the play is over, I am happy that my friends and I were all able to try hard enough to have a wonderful show.
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