Comparing Characters In 'Of Mice And Men And The Test'
Practice Essay Construction
Question: “Worlds within the texts often prompt us to question the worlds outside texts. With reference to at least one written or visual text you have studied, write an essay in response to this statement.”
INTRO
Thesis: Worlds created within texts often reflect reality and encourage the reader to inquire about issues present in our world.
Supporting sentences: Texts such as Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and “The Test” by Angelica Gibbs, present the reader with universal issues such as racial prejudice, power imbalance, the importance of aspirations and the understanding of gender roles in society. These real issues are conveyed so efficiently to the reader through the manipulation of narrative conventions …show more content…
such as language and characterization.
PARA 1
Topic sentence: Racial prejudice affects the lives of millions today as the issue is universal and continuous.
Supporting: Of mice and Men by John Steinbeck and “The Test” by Angelica Gibbs present the impact of racial prejudice on the victim and society through the manipulation of characterization and language. Both narratives are set in early 20th century and therefore the discrimination between white Americans and African-Americans is bluntly obvious.
Main Idea: Characters in “The Test” represent the characteristics of three distinct groups within society: 1) Victim (Marion) 2) Perpetrator (The inspector) 3) Onlooker (Mrs.
Ericson) – quote – “If only I could pay you half of what you are worth.”
Questions
* Is there a real difference between the onlooker and the perpetrator? * Are they enforcing the same value? * Is Marion accepting or challenging her given expectations as an African-American women? * What part of her identity seems to define her most? WHY?
Main Idea 2: Crooks in the novella Of Mice and Men is disabled both physically and socially as an African-American living in prejudice America. Although accepting of his place within the ranks of the workplace, his bitter attitude towards others reveals his desire for a better life.
Questions:
* Is the outcome for Crooks and Marion the same? * Does the lack of a true resolution for these characters depict the fact that these problems will never be solved but only made clear? * Does stereotyping others make us more comfortable?
Through racial prejudice in we see a divide in society between those with power and those who are …show more content…
powerless.
PARA 2:
Topic sentence: Power imbalance is evident in all aspects and levels in society. In many ways, without a power structure, society would not function. But when does a power structure lose its purpose?
The Test: Mrs.
Ericson does not want to challenge the power structure because she benefits from the system. Instead, she denies its existence in order to escape self-guilt.
Both novels present the reader with power relationships in order to establish a reader-character connection: * Predator- prey * friendships * employee -employer
Due to Lennie’s intellect he is unaware of such relationships and therefore less aware of their boundaries. Lennie’s given power is in the form of strength. Therefore he is product of the ‘Predator –prey’ system. (Mouse-Dog-Curley’s Wife-Lennie) If even the most innocent of creatures (Lennie) have the ability to kill, does this highlight the fact that we all feed off the oppression of the weak? However, through the death of Lennie, the reader realizes that intellect prevails over brute strength as reality is much clearer.
PARA 3:
Topic sentence: Through-out one’s life, we hold dreams which rarely make the complete transition into reality.
However, having aspirations and goals in life gives us a sense of purpose in all areas of our life. When our aspirations merge with our dreams does possibility begin to override reality? Of Mice and Men explores this issue through the dreams of Lennie and
George.
Do dreams only set us up for disappointment if we let them?
Is sharing a dream a positive or negative? Does it make it too real?
Lennie keeps dream alive but George destroys dream through understanding.
Question: “Worlds within the texts often prompt us to question the worlds outside texts. With reference to at least one written or visual text you have studied, write an essay in response to this statement.”
INTRO
Thesis: Worlds created within texts often reflect reality and encourage the reader to inquire about issues present in our world.
Supporting sentences: Texts such as Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and “The Test” by Angelica Gibbs, present the reader with universal issues such as racial prejudice, power imbalance, the importance of aspirations and the understanding of gender roles in society. These real issues are conveyed so efficiently to the reader through the manipulation of narrative conventions …show more content…
such as language and characterization.
PARA 1
Topic sentence: Racial prejudice affects the lives of millions today as the issue is universal and continuous.
Supporting: Of mice and Men by John Steinbeck and “The Test” by Angelica Gibbs present the impact of racial prejudice on the victim and society through the manipulation of characterization and language. Both narratives are set in early 20th century and therefore the discrimination between white Americans and African-Americans is bluntly obvious.
Main Idea: Characters in “The Test” represent the characteristics of three distinct groups within society: 1) Victim (Marion) 2) Perpetrator (The inspector) 3) Onlooker (Mrs.
Ericson) – quote – “If only I could pay you half of what you are worth.”
Questions
* Is there a real difference between the onlooker and the perpetrator? * Are they enforcing the same value? * Is Marion accepting or challenging her given expectations as an African-American women? * What part of her identity seems to define her most? WHY?
Main Idea 2: Crooks in the novella Of Mice and Men is disabled both physically and socially as an African-American living in prejudice America. Although accepting of his place within the ranks of the workplace, his bitter attitude towards others reveals his desire for a better life.
Questions:
* Is the outcome for Crooks and Marion the same? * Does the lack of a true resolution for these characters depict the fact that these problems will never be solved but only made clear? * Does stereotyping others make us more comfortable?
Through racial prejudice in we see a divide in society between those with power and those who are …show more content…
powerless.
PARA 2:
Topic sentence: Power imbalance is evident in all aspects and levels in society. In many ways, without a power structure, society would not function. But when does a power structure lose its purpose?
The Test: Mrs.
Ericson does not want to challenge the power structure because she benefits from the system. Instead, she denies its existence in order to escape self-guilt.
Both novels present the reader with power relationships in order to establish a reader-character connection: * Predator- prey * friendships * employee -employer
Due to Lennie’s intellect he is unaware of such relationships and therefore less aware of their boundaries. Lennie’s given power is in the form of strength. Therefore he is product of the ‘Predator –prey’ system. (Mouse-Dog-Curley’s Wife-Lennie) If even the most innocent of creatures (Lennie) have the ability to kill, does this highlight the fact that we all feed off the oppression of the weak? However, through the death of Lennie, the reader realizes that intellect prevails over brute strength as reality is much clearer.
PARA 3:
Topic sentence: Through-out one’s life, we hold dreams which rarely make the complete transition into reality.
However, having aspirations and goals in life gives us a sense of purpose in all areas of our life. When our aspirations merge with our dreams does possibility begin to override reality? Of Mice and Men explores this issue through the dreams of Lennie and
George.
Do dreams only set us up for disappointment if we let them?
Is sharing a dream a positive or negative? Does it make it too real?
Lennie keeps dream alive but George destroys dream through understanding.