Naturalism

 Literature is often a reflection of the time period in which it was written or, in the case of historical fiction, of the time period it is focused on.  Authors will often find sneaky little ways to demonstrate the dominant characteristics of the time period by blending in details, that, at a closer glance, reveal these hidden themes.

     In class, we viewed several videos (in the LitByFleming blog video bar) that gave us a look at some major events and common themes or characteristics of the 1930s.  John Steinbeck certainly considered these elements when writing Of Mice and Men.  In fact, it might be said, his writing style intentionally made use of naturalism in order to capture and expose some of the attitudes and characteristics of the American 1930s.

     Let's see if you can make the connection!  Think about some of  the naturalistic elements we identified in class (Chapter 1).  What aspects or characteristics of the 1930s are being demonstrated to us at those moments in the text?  What do you believe John Steinbeck was trying to show us or expose about the way people, life, or society was during this time in American history? 

       Steinback uses diction to describe Lennie's and George's surroundings. "The water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight before reaching the narrow pool." (1) He uses adjectives to describe how beautiful their surroundings are. But that isn't how it really is, it's how Lennie and George see it. After their trip, they're going to be yearning for water. He makes it sound like the 1930s were magnificent, and joyful by the way he describes it. Then he describes, "The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: smalll, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws." (2) He describes Lennie as tired, and he compares how he's walking to a bear.


I believe Steinback was trying to show us that society sucked, but still sucks. They had to run, because Lennie, not knowing any better, petted a girls dress. If there was such a problem, they should have educated so. The 1930s were a time of misery, and loneliness. " They had walked in single file down the path, and even in the open one stayed behind the other." (2) They were together, but they weren't. They were basically making that trip by themselves.





Here's a link talking about jobs in the 1930's. http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/money_06.html

Chapter 1 Notes

Questions:
       In chapter one two characters are introduced, Lennie, and George . George takes on the more parental role, he watches over Lennie . Lennie is described as the more muscular one, who doesn't know right from wrong, as George is described as the smaller of the two, and very caring over Lennie . In chapter one, the duo is walking down a long road, and finally stops for shelter . Why does George care so much about Lennie? It states because of his aunt, but is there something else behind all of his front? Why does Lennie like soft things so much? What did he think he was doing when he was touching the girls dress?

Prediction:
       I think that either Lennie will mess up his and George's chances of getting a job by telling the interviewer why they were running . Or he'll listen to George, and they'll both get a job . Maybe George could start looking for a girlfriend like he says he'd like to . Their lives would go on good, until Lennie messes up again . But I think George will stay with him through it all, he has so far .

Reflect:
       I feel bad for Lennie when he offers to run off, and not to be a bother . It sort of reminds me of myself, I always feel as if  I'm bothering people, and I offer to leave . I feel like Lennie thinks he's disappointing his friend, and doesn't want to anymore . I also feel like Lennie, when George tells him not to mess up with the interview, how he tells him to do a certain thing, not to mess anything up . I think the author wrote the book to show how some friends stick with you through thick and thin . The theme that is popping up for me is selflessness, George protects Lennie as if he was his own blood . I do enjoy the book so far, I was thrilled when my teacher told me we were going to read it . My favorite cousin, is an eighth grade teacher, and recommends me all these books, and this happened to be one of them . I've loved all the books shes recommended, I'm not going to doubt her now .

Picturing the History Behind Of Mice and Men

    For a moment the place was lifeless, and then two men emerged from the path and came into the opening by the green pool.
     They had walked in single file down the path, and even in the open one stayed behind the other. Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders. The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely.

     The first man stopped short in the clearing, and the follower nearly ran over him. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat-band with his forefinger and snapped the moisture off. His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself. (1.2-4)

Sound familiar? Kind of like the pictures, right? In writing, compare and contrast this opening section from Of Mice and Men to the pictures you analyzed in class. What does the text and the photographs show us about the 1930s?  Be specific!

The text I've just read reminds me of the second picture we viewed in class. Steinback describes how both the men are dressed, "Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders." Even though there is one man, it describes him perfectly, wearing all black, and with a large sack carrying his belongings. The picture reminds me of the first man described, thin but defined. 

I think Steinback is trying to show how tough it was in the 1930s. How the men would have to go travel  a long lonely way, to find work. The man in the picture is by himself, he's probably left his family behind, so he could settle himself.  "They had walked in single file down the path, and even in the open one stayed behind the other." It says how they were walking down the paths by themselves, not even conversing with each other.