What are the characters from the book, Of Mice and Men, symbolic meanings? Explain.
Throughout the book the author, Steinbeck, gives the characters symbolic meanings to send a message to readers of this book. There are five characters I would like to address in this essay about this question. These four characters are Curley’s wife, Candy and the Dog, George, Curley, and Slim. I think they are important to the plot of the story and the message that the author delivers about the 1900’s.
Curley’s wife represent women during the 1920’s, which was when this book was written. She obviously is married to Curley, a guy who works on the ranch and has no job outside of the home. In the 1900’s women really had no career they were looked at as vulnerable and weak. They had to take care of the house like cook, clean, and tend to the needs of their husbands while trying to be a mother too. Men who were married to these women only flaunted them around and looked at them as trophies. Women were being compared to as objects not human beings. They had little to no legal rights or freedoms. And if a woman went out and got a job they were considered a floozy. They were degraded and people used harsh and derogatory language towards them. How can you be degrading to someone who wants to be independent and upgrade their lives with their own success? The authors purpose was to show you how women were treated, others people perspectives of them, and how they underestimated us.
As for Candy and the Dog, they represent senior citizens and old people. The author shows , not only in the 1900’s but even today, how other treat them harsh. Today senior citizens get robbed, killed, or hurt in various of ways. Some have no homes or can’t afford to pay for their medications. Instead of the younger generation trying to help we sit back and watch the people that have been of great help to us in the past suffer. In this book, the dog is harshly killed and is taken away from Candy. Just like that we also take the last of our grandparents hard earned money or possessions and once they are out of cash and of no use we “throw them away”. In our society the government treat seniors the same take their money and leave them out to dry once their old.
Another character who also has a symbolic meaning is Curley. He is the co-worker in the workforce that continually tries to show off or intimidate someone. Because he is the son of the Boss who owns the ranch, he thinks he can be snobby to people and get away with it. He abuses his authority like others in the workforce. He reminds me of the manager who you always have to deal with that has a smart mouth and no patience what so ever. He also could represent men during this time because of his misogynistic and chauvinistic attitude. He flashes his wife around and gives her orders like she’s his servant.
George is thrown into the working class category. He is very down to earth and fairly a good person. He represents the people in America who try to survive with low pay, minimum wage jobs. He tries to better himself by following after the American Dream of becoming rich and successful. Many people go out to work everyday trying to be a good citizen when the government and big Ceo’s, lawyers, and doctors make it hard for them to get a good paying job like Curly and the Boss. These type of people just take, take , and take. They just get rich off of the poor or working class. And not once do they give back because they are selfish.
On the other hand Slim represents African Americans during this time, which still had no rights. He was referred to as a “nigger” and a stable buck. It was hard for African Americans to find good jobs and some were lucky to even have a job. They always had the most laborious jobs of them all. They were also treated with cruel conditions and were never looked at with respect because they were the minorities in our country.
The author depicts the world of the 1920’s by give each character out the book a symbolic meaning to help you better understand the message he sends out. Curley’s wife shows how women had no careers and were degraded and underestimated. They were even flaunted around like trophies by their husbands and had no rights. And through the character Slim, he shows how African Americans were disrespected with being called a “nigger” and other cruelty. Steinbeck really does an awesome job of depicting peoples’ views of seniors. Candy’s dog was shot after all of the years he lived with that dog. And George who has to put up with Curley’s bull crap while trying to do his job to survive.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Bench Mark Essays :Beyond the Line
How does the relationship of George Lennie relate to that of characters in a show you’ve watched before?
George and Lennie’s relationship is an interesting but awkward relationship. While George can be upfront and sarcastic with Lennie he always his there to watch his back and never intimidate him or let anyone else do the same. In the book, Of Mice and Men, George tells Lennie to watch out for Curley’s wife because she causes trouble on the ranch and not to be afraid of Curley and his bulling ways. On the other hand he likes to snatch mice from Lennie and throw them away. A motif that keeps coming up in the book is how repeatedly George tries to make Lennie seem like an animal by talking to him in such a stern way. For example, when Lennie kept forgetting where they were going when they traveled to the ranch. And when George asked Lennie what he did with his bus pass Lennie thought he lost it when actually he never had it from the beginning.
George and Lennie’s relationship reminds me of a lot of television shows I’ve watched before but nothing relates more than the characters from Rugrats. It seems very extreme that I would compare babies and children’s’ relationships to theirs. It’s really hard for me to narrow down to what characters they remind me of in the Rugrats because in some kind of way all of the children relate to George and Lennie. Lennie reminds me of Chucky because out of all the other babies Chucky is the most scariest, lame, and naive characters. He has this “uh duh are you stupid” type of attitude like he’s stuck on stupid same as Lennie. Now on the other hand George reminds me of leader of the pack or kids named Tommy. Tommy always tries to take up for the rest of the babies if they are being harmed by Angelica’s bullying. He even tries to help Chucky get over his fears in some episodes. Angelica even reminds me of Curley because she never picks on people of her age she likes to mess with the babies and she flaunts her new toys and neat clothing that her mother spoils her with. Sometimes she even uses these things to bribe the babies including Chucky, Lil, and Phil, to do her dirty work.
One particular relationship from the Rugrats that relates to that of the book is Angelica and Chucky’s. Although George doesn’t really bully Lennie to like Angelica to a certain extend he uses Lennie. The ways he uses Lennie is by taking him along on his adventure so that they can be more exciting because in realty who wants travel alone. Everybody wants company when traveling. And just like Chucky, Lennie won’t resist George’s leadership and guidance. The author, John Steinbeck, tries to make it seem as if Lennie needs George to survive but can’t we also say that George would get bored to death with Lennie there. So in a sense we can say the same for George. In the cartoon show Rugrats, I remember in one episode Angelica tells Chucky, “ Go get me a Popsicle you twerp and do it fast or else I will burry you in the sand box . Now fetch.” Angelica harsh attitude reminds me of George’s sarcasm and sternest attitude towards Lennie.
It amazes me how much the characters from a cartoon really relates to that of a book. If I didn’t know any better I would think that the cartoon was based on the book somewhat. I could go on and on never ending when comparing the two that’s how much the characters have in common. I never noticed that just until I asked myself this question, “How does the relationship of George and Lennie relate to that of characters in a show you’ve watched before?” I had no idea that would have so many traits alike.
Characters’ relationships can relate to other characters whether in another literary work, real life, or on a show. But there nothing like a comparison from the book, Of Mice and Men, and the cartoon show, Rugrats. George and Curley both remind me of Angelica because George carries along Lennie for enjoyment even though he can sometimes be a pain. And like Angelica, Curley can be a bully. Also at the same time George shows traits of Tommy when he takes up for Lennie and looks after him in Lennie’s best interest. Therefore the relationship of George and Lennie’s relates to that of Tommy and Chuckey’s because Tommy tries to stop Angelica from bullying the babies especially chucky and Tommy tries to help Chucky get over his fears of Angelica. Like in the book George warns Lennie about Curley. And Lennie is scary, lame, and naïve about situations like Chucky.
George and Lennie’s relationship is an interesting but awkward relationship. While George can be upfront and sarcastic with Lennie he always his there to watch his back and never intimidate him or let anyone else do the same. In the book, Of Mice and Men, George tells Lennie to watch out for Curley’s wife because she causes trouble on the ranch and not to be afraid of Curley and his bulling ways. On the other hand he likes to snatch mice from Lennie and throw them away. A motif that keeps coming up in the book is how repeatedly George tries to make Lennie seem like an animal by talking to him in such a stern way. For example, when Lennie kept forgetting where they were going when they traveled to the ranch. And when George asked Lennie what he did with his bus pass Lennie thought he lost it when actually he never had it from the beginning.
George and Lennie’s relationship reminds me of a lot of television shows I’ve watched before but nothing relates more than the characters from Rugrats. It seems very extreme that I would compare babies and children’s’ relationships to theirs. It’s really hard for me to narrow down to what characters they remind me of in the Rugrats because in some kind of way all of the children relate to George and Lennie. Lennie reminds me of Chucky because out of all the other babies Chucky is the most scariest, lame, and naive characters. He has this “uh duh are you stupid” type of attitude like he’s stuck on stupid same as Lennie. Now on the other hand George reminds me of leader of the pack or kids named Tommy. Tommy always tries to take up for the rest of the babies if they are being harmed by Angelica’s bullying. He even tries to help Chucky get over his fears in some episodes. Angelica even reminds me of Curley because she never picks on people of her age she likes to mess with the babies and she flaunts her new toys and neat clothing that her mother spoils her with. Sometimes she even uses these things to bribe the babies including Chucky, Lil, and Phil, to do her dirty work.
One particular relationship from the Rugrats that relates to that of the book is Angelica and Chucky’s. Although George doesn’t really bully Lennie to like Angelica to a certain extend he uses Lennie. The ways he uses Lennie is by taking him along on his adventure so that they can be more exciting because in realty who wants travel alone. Everybody wants company when traveling. And just like Chucky, Lennie won’t resist George’s leadership and guidance. The author, John Steinbeck, tries to make it seem as if Lennie needs George to survive but can’t we also say that George would get bored to death with Lennie there. So in a sense we can say the same for George. In the cartoon show Rugrats, I remember in one episode Angelica tells Chucky, “ Go get me a Popsicle you twerp and do it fast or else I will burry you in the sand box . Now fetch.” Angelica harsh attitude reminds me of George’s sarcasm and sternest attitude towards Lennie.
It amazes me how much the characters from a cartoon really relates to that of a book. If I didn’t know any better I would think that the cartoon was based on the book somewhat. I could go on and on never ending when comparing the two that’s how much the characters have in common. I never noticed that just until I asked myself this question, “How does the relationship of George and Lennie relate to that of characters in a show you’ve watched before?” I had no idea that would have so many traits alike.
Characters’ relationships can relate to other characters whether in another literary work, real life, or on a show. But there nothing like a comparison from the book, Of Mice and Men, and the cartoon show, Rugrats. George and Curley both remind me of Angelica because George carries along Lennie for enjoyment even though he can sometimes be a pain. And like Angelica, Curley can be a bully. Also at the same time George shows traits of Tommy when he takes up for Lennie and looks after him in Lennie’s best interest. Therefore the relationship of George and Lennie’s relates to that of Tommy and Chuckey’s because Tommy tries to stop Angelica from bullying the babies especially chucky and Tommy tries to help Chucky get over his fears of Angelica. Like in the book George warns Lennie about Curley. And Lennie is scary, lame, and naïve about situations like Chucky.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Bench Mark Essays :Between the Line
1.)What differences exist between Curley and George?
Differences that exist between Curley and George are that Curley is married while George is single. Curley also is the son of the boss on the ranch. Curley's attitude is nasty, arrogant, and rude. He walks around with his head on his shoulders like he's someone to be reckoned with. He even flaunts his wife around in a sense as if she a trophy. He tries to bully Lennie too. Although George has a very sarcastic attitude towards Lennie and is up front with him, he never tries to intimidate or bully Lennie. And he is a low, working class guy and down to earth with good intensions unlike Curley.
2.) Can you write in your own words of what George meant by "I seen em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her".
When George makes this quote from above he meant that he has seen women with similar traits as Curley's wife but hasn't seen any (women) that are worst than her sneaky, "rat trap" ways.
3.) Can you provide an example of how the character, George, might be chauvinistic or misogynistic?
Evidence that allows me to believe George is chauvinistic is in the book on page 32, he says, “Don’t even take a look at the Bitch.” I don’t care what she says and what she does.” In this quote he refers to Curley’s wife as a bitch. He tells Lennie this to keep him away from her because she’s considered a “rat trap” who gets people in trouble all the time. Other characters at the ranch also share similar views about her including Candy, the old man.
Differences that exist between Curley and George are that Curley is married while George is single. Curley also is the son of the boss on the ranch. Curley's attitude is nasty, arrogant, and rude. He walks around with his head on his shoulders like he's someone to be reckoned with. He even flaunts his wife around in a sense as if she a trophy. He tries to bully Lennie too. Although George has a very sarcastic attitude towards Lennie and is up front with him, he never tries to intimidate or bully Lennie. And he is a low, working class guy and down to earth with good intensions unlike Curley.
2.) Can you write in your own words of what George meant by "I seen em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her".
When George makes this quote from above he meant that he has seen women with similar traits as Curley's wife but hasn't seen any (women) that are worst than her sneaky, "rat trap" ways.
3.) Can you provide an example of how the character, George, might be chauvinistic or misogynistic?
Evidence that allows me to believe George is chauvinistic is in the book on page 32, he says, “Don’t even take a look at the Bitch.” I don’t care what she says and what she does.” In this quote he refers to Curley’s wife as a bitch. He tells Lennie this to keep him away from her because she’s considered a “rat trap” who gets people in trouble all the time. Other characters at the ranch also share similar views about her including Candy, the old man.
Bench Mark Essays :Between the Line
1.)What differences exist between Curley and George?
Differences that exist between Curley and George are that Curley is married while George is single. Curley also is the son of the boss on the ranch. Curley's attitude is nasty, arrogant, and rude. He walks around with his head on his shoulders like he's someone to be reckoned with. He even flaunts his wife around in a sense as if she a trophy. He tries to bully Lennie too. Although George has a very sarcastic attitude towards Lennie and is up front with him, he never tries to intimidate or bully Lennie. And he is a low, working class guy and down to earth with good intensions unlike Curley.
2.) Can you write in your own words of what George meant by "I seen em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her".
When George makes this quote from above he meant that he has seen women with similar traits as Curley's wife but hasn't seen any (women) that are worst than her sneaky, "rat trap" ways.
3.) Can you provide an example of how the character, George, might be chauvinistic or misogynistic?
Evidence that allows me to believe George is chauvinistic is in the book on page 32, he says, “Don’t even take a look at the Bitch.” I don’t care what she says and what she does.” In this quote he refers to Curley’s wife as a bitch. He tells Lennie this to keep him away from her because she’s considered a “rat trap” who gets people in trouble all the time. Other characters at the ranch also share similar views about her including Candy, the old man.
Differences that exist between Curley and George are that Curley is married while George is single. Curley also is the son of the boss on the ranch. Curley's attitude is nasty, arrogant, and rude. He walks around with his head on his shoulders like he's someone to be reckoned with. He even flaunts his wife around in a sense as if she a trophy. He tries to bully Lennie too. Although George has a very sarcastic attitude towards Lennie and is up front with him, he never tries to intimidate or bully Lennie. And he is a low, working class guy and down to earth with good intensions unlike Curley.
2.) Can you write in your own words of what George meant by "I seen em poison before, but I never seen no piece of jail bait worse than her".
When George makes this quote from above he meant that he has seen women with similar traits as Curley's wife but hasn't seen any (women) that are worst than her sneaky, "rat trap" ways.
3.) Can you provide an example of how the character, George, might be chauvinistic or misogynistic?
Evidence that allows me to believe George is chauvinistic is in the book on page 32, he says, “Don’t even take a look at the Bitch.” I don’t care what she says and what she does.” In this quote he refers to Curley’s wife as a bitch. He tells Lennie this to keep him away from her because she’s considered a “rat trap” who gets people in trouble all the time. Other characters at the ranch also share similar views about her including Candy, the old man.
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