Chapter 6- Personal Response

In this chapter, Lennie has strange hallucinations of Aunt Clara and a gigantic rabbit talking and scolding him in his own voice. I think he sees them because they act as his conscience, and they express his guilty feelings and his final thoughts. Steinbeck probably added it because he couldn't just have Lennie saying all of these feelings out loud, or else that would contrast on his mentally challenged character. I think that Sinise doesn't include them in the film version because it would be strange and in contrast with the rest of the movie. From beginning to end, the story is sad, serious, and realistic, but if he added the old women talking in Lennie's voice, and a gigantic rabbit as well, then this would change to a very fictional story.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. You could say that it is sad, and it is, but there is more than it just being a sad story, it has many lessons to teach. It teaches us about friendship, and how difficult it really is to reach that level of closeness, as George and Lennie did. We also learn about human cruelties and how our society disposes of the weak, as they did Lennie. Not only did this book teach us many important themes, it was entertaining and believable.

Aunt Clara

As I was reading the description of Aunt Clara in the last chapter, I pictured Mrs. Doubtfire automatically. Steinbeck described her as an older woman from what she was wearing, and she had thick eye glasses.

Chapter 5- Personal Response

The differences between the movie and the book continue in this chapter. One of the main differences is that in the movie when Lennie starts feeling Curley's wife's hair, she says "that's good" and there is a bit of sexual tension. On the other hand, in the book, she automatically jumps to saying "don't mess it up." I think Sinise added that in the film because it adds a thrill and is entertaining for the audience, it also goes along with the use of women in this story, as temptations and trouble makers. Throughout the book/movie until chapter five, there have been many tragic events, such as the death of Curley's wife. It is difficult to blame one person, for this event, for example, as all characters take blame for her death. Curley's wife is to blame for dressing seductively and luring in the men and Curley is to blame for keeping his wife as a "prisoner" and being overly protective. I think that George should not be blamed as he did all he could to stop this event from occuring again. Ironically, I believe Lennie should not take any blame, even though they were his own hands that killed her, he cannot control all of his emotions and actions because of his mental disabilities.

Poem on Dying Dreams

Dreams

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

Langston Hughes

I chose this poem by Langston Hughes because no matter what time or place, this poem can relate to you. It warns us to hold on to our dreams, as that is what keeps us going, and it gives us hope that one day we will fulfill them. This is very similar in that George and Lennie always had the dream of living on their own piece of land, having a laid back and free lifestyle, while at the same time, George kind of knew all along that that wasn't possible.

Chapter 4- Personal Response

In this chapter, Steinbeck really went into racism and made it clear as big issue, as it was in 1937. He showed this through Crooks and his stories, and he showed the some of the violence and anger associated with racism, and using the word ni**** was a part of it. Although, Sinise toned down the racism and rather focused on Curley's wife and her loneliness. I think the director did this because since the film was made in 1992, it would have been considered a bit rude and the subject might have been touchy, while Steinbeck probably included it because racism was still around then. Another reason Sinise might have taken it out is because focusing on Curley's wife and her problems might have been more interesting and attention grabbing for the audience.

Art Work- Loneliness

Berc Ketchian Lonely Lady

16 x 20 Oil

I think that this painting represents the theme of loneliness because not only does it show a woman with no company and no one to talk to, it shows that even when there are people around you, and you are not alone, one can still be lonely.

Chapter 3- Personal Response

Steinbeck focuses on the different social ranks in this chapter, among many other key ideas. We can tell that Slim is highly respected and Steinbeck has done alot to accomplesh that. First, he introduces Slim by his reputations, as we hear from others thier opinions on him before we actually meet him. Steinbeck also makes him have a control and power over the bosses son, therefore showing his strength. The foreshadowing continues in this section as when George tells Slim the story of Lennie "raping" the woman in Weed. This foreshadows the climax of Lennie killing Curely's Wife.