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