OMAM vs. La Strada Comparison Paper
David Nguyen
Tlumack
Honors English 10: 2Y
11 Dec 2012
Comparative Essay between Of Mice and Men and La Strada By comparing Of Mice and Men and La Strada, they both come together to a similar point. Innocent figures are usually represented by nature while the opposite is described with a condescending connotation. Weapons are used to harm things and are able to assert dominance. When asserting dominance, one might say that the dominant being is a male showing masculinity while the one being dominated is classified as being a female showing feminism. When these two archetypes conjoin, it can be analyzed as innocence is inferior to weapons as weapons can disrupt a balance of nature, which can translate to how weapons and their users are more masculine to innocent figures which can lead to their ultimate doom. Steinbeck and Fellini show a common interest in innocent figures and weapons due to the presence of both in their literary work. In Of Mice and Men, Lennie is portrayed as an innocent figure. He is described in a simplistic way and with nature and animal terms. As Lennie is being described in the beginning of the novel, his walking is described as “the way a bear drags his paws” (Steinbeck 2). Although the bear is known to be scary and dangerous, it can also be a lovable, stuffed teddy bear that a young child would want to play with. On that notation, Lennie is classified as a harmless, lovable man who is dumbstruck and has no intention on harming anybody. However, Lennie’s friend, George, is described with the opposite of what Lennie was. He is classified as a man that was “small and quick, dark of face” (Steinbeck 2). Dark symbolizes evil or bad. So as Lennie is enjoying life, George will indeed know how to mess things up. Steinbeck makes the readers feel affection towards Lennie as he stumbles on throughout the novel. He is also recognized as being child-like. George describes Lennie as either a domesticated dog or a young male child when he says,
Tlumack
Honors English 10: 2Y
11 Dec 2012
Comparative Essay between Of Mice and Men and La Strada By comparing Of Mice and Men and La Strada, they both come together to a similar point. Innocent figures are usually represented by nature while the opposite is described with a condescending connotation. Weapons are used to harm things and are able to assert dominance. When asserting dominance, one might say that the dominant being is a male showing masculinity while the one being dominated is classified as being a female showing feminism. When these two archetypes conjoin, it can be analyzed as innocence is inferior to weapons as weapons can disrupt a balance of nature, which can translate to how weapons and their users are more masculine to innocent figures which can lead to their ultimate doom. Steinbeck and Fellini show a common interest in innocent figures and weapons due to the presence of both in their literary work. In Of Mice and Men, Lennie is portrayed as an innocent figure. He is described in a simplistic way and with nature and animal terms. As Lennie is being described in the beginning of the novel, his walking is described as “the way a bear drags his paws” (Steinbeck 2). Although the bear is known to be scary and dangerous, it can also be a lovable, stuffed teddy bear that a young child would want to play with. On that notation, Lennie is classified as a harmless, lovable man who is dumbstruck and has no intention on harming anybody. However, Lennie’s friend, George, is described with the opposite of what Lennie was. He is classified as a man that was “small and quick, dark of face” (Steinbeck 2). Dark symbolizes evil or bad. So as Lennie is enjoying life, George will indeed know how to mess things up. Steinbeck makes the readers feel affection towards Lennie as he stumbles on throughout the novel. He is also recognized as being child-like. George describes Lennie as either a domesticated dog or a young male child when he says,