Character Analysis: Of Mice And Men
Shlok Bansal
Ms. McGowan
English 9 Honors, Period 3
3 December 2015
Of Mice and Men Critical Triangle Assignment
Comprehension Question:
Describe the fantasy/goal that is shared by George, Lennie and the other farmhands?
The goal that is shared by George, Lennie and the other farmhands is that they want to have a stake of land that they can call their very own. George and Lennie are going to have a stake with rabbits, chickens, pigs and “Live of the fat o’ the land” (Steinbeck 105). George and Lennie are going to save up their pay so that they can make their dream a reality.
Interpretation Question:
Analyze why Curley’s wife does not have a name in the novella? In the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck the only character that isn’t …show more content…
clearly distinguished by a name is Curley’s wife. One possible reason that Steinbeck decided to do that might be during this period of time women were considered as a lesser compared to their male counterparts. Another reason could have been that in the novella women were portrayed as trouble and not needed. Steinbeck demonstrates an example of this portrayal when he talks about how Lennie accidently killed Curley’s wife. Yet another example would be the reason that George and Lennie had to move form Weed. A final reason why Curley’s wife doesn’t have a name could be that Curley thinks that his wife doesn’t need to have a name because he is already a well-known person around the bunkhouse. Steinbeck clearly has his reasons for not naming Curley’s wife, and shows us how the 1930s were a harder period of time for women.
Criticism Question:
Does the concept of companionship/friendship take place in this novel? Discuss your personal connection to the words friendship & companionship. In the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, one theme that arises is, that of friendship and companionship.
There is clearly a bond that is shared by George and Lennie from the very first pages of the novella, when George, watching out for Lennie tells him not to drink too much water. As the story develops there is a deeper, more complicated, bond and connection that George and Lennie make. For example in the scene where Lennie and George are making a dinner of beans and Lennie says that he wants ketchup with his beans and George gets angry with him because they don’t have any ketchup. George always thinks that Lennie is a pain because he has a mild mental disability making it hard for him to remember things. He often dreams about life would be like if he didn’t have to deal with Lennie but, despite the fact that George thinks Lennie is a pain, he feels that he has a moral obligation to Lennie’s Aunt Clara to take care of him after she passed away. Lennie is the type that needs care in order to survive and without George he would probably not have a friend to confide in and also not be able to find a job. In the novel, companionship is demonstrated best by the fact that George and Lennie always travel together. Traveling together at the time was very uncommon and usually it was every man for himself. Friendship and companionship are quite evident in the novella but these concepts can also take meaning in real
life. The concept of friendship means that you have someone that you can trust and that you can rely on to be there for you when need them most. A good friend will always watch out for you and never try to intentionally hurt you. Friendship is a concept that can mean many things to many different individuals, but to me it means that you are good kind and compassionate friend to whomever you choose. Companionship and friendship can be interpreted in many ways. Perhaps the best part of the friendship/companionship concept is that each person will have a different interpretation of it making it unique for each individual person.
Ms. McGowan
English 9 Honors, Period 3
3 December 2015
Of Mice and Men Critical Triangle Assignment
Comprehension Question:
Describe the fantasy/goal that is shared by George, Lennie and the other farmhands?
The goal that is shared by George, Lennie and the other farmhands is that they want to have a stake of land that they can call their very own. George and Lennie are going to have a stake with rabbits, chickens, pigs and “Live of the fat o’ the land” (Steinbeck 105). George and Lennie are going to save up their pay so that they can make their dream a reality.
Interpretation Question:
Analyze why Curley’s wife does not have a name in the novella? In the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck the only character that isn’t …show more content…
clearly distinguished by a name is Curley’s wife. One possible reason that Steinbeck decided to do that might be during this period of time women were considered as a lesser compared to their male counterparts. Another reason could have been that in the novella women were portrayed as trouble and not needed. Steinbeck demonstrates an example of this portrayal when he talks about how Lennie accidently killed Curley’s wife. Yet another example would be the reason that George and Lennie had to move form Weed. A final reason why Curley’s wife doesn’t have a name could be that Curley thinks that his wife doesn’t need to have a name because he is already a well-known person around the bunkhouse. Steinbeck clearly has his reasons for not naming Curley’s wife, and shows us how the 1930s were a harder period of time for women.
Criticism Question:
Does the concept of companionship/friendship take place in this novel? Discuss your personal connection to the words friendship & companionship. In the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, one theme that arises is, that of friendship and companionship.
There is clearly a bond that is shared by George and Lennie from the very first pages of the novella, when George, watching out for Lennie tells him not to drink too much water. As the story develops there is a deeper, more complicated, bond and connection that George and Lennie make. For example in the scene where Lennie and George are making a dinner of beans and Lennie says that he wants ketchup with his beans and George gets angry with him because they don’t have any ketchup. George always thinks that Lennie is a pain because he has a mild mental disability making it hard for him to remember things. He often dreams about life would be like if he didn’t have to deal with Lennie but, despite the fact that George thinks Lennie is a pain, he feels that he has a moral obligation to Lennie’s Aunt Clara to take care of him after she passed away. Lennie is the type that needs care in order to survive and without George he would probably not have a friend to confide in and also not be able to find a job. In the novel, companionship is demonstrated best by the fact that George and Lennie always travel together. Traveling together at the time was very uncommon and usually it was every man for himself. Friendship and companionship are quite evident in the novella but these concepts can also take meaning in real
life. The concept of friendship means that you have someone that you can trust and that you can rely on to be there for you when need them most. A good friend will always watch out for you and never try to intentionally hurt you. Friendship is a concept that can mean many things to many different individuals, but to me it means that you are good kind and compassionate friend to whomever you choose. Companionship and friendship can be interpreted in many ways. Perhaps the best part of the friendship/companionship concept is that each person will have a different interpretation of it making it unique for each individual person.