Naturalism as a Mirror of the 1930's

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? 

The aspects that are demonstrated at those moments in the text is how hard people had to struggle to look for a job. Lennie and George was so hungry that they had to eat like animals. On page 15, second paragraph the text shows the eagerness they had to eat a can of cold beans to look for a job. "They sat by the fire and filled their mouths with beans and chewed mightily." Here shows how they would eat anything to conquer the hunger they had because a can of cold beans was their only options.

     In my opinion I believe John Steinbeck was trying to show us that people would strive for the opportunity to have a job. By using the 2 main characters he develops a story by showing the acts they had to do to even have a chance to have a job. For example, he shows them sleeping anywhere to get closer to what they believe can be a job. Also, he shows them eating cold beans, these are acts you would probably expect from an animal, eating anything and sleeping anywhere. But, this was the reality of life in the 1930's so he is trying to say don't take your way of life for assurance. 

Chapter 1 Note Taking

1) Question:  The names of the characters involved in Mice & Men is Lennie and George. The story is taking place on a path  a few miles south of Soledad during the 1930's. Some questions that I have about Chapter 1 is who are the parents of George and Lennie? And, who is more dependent of each other Lennie or George? I wonder because George is the strong one that can do a lot of labor. But, Lennie is the brains of everything so they both have an important role.

2) Prediction:  During the story so far we know that there is 2 guys name Lennie and George going around searching for a job. We ended the chapter with the two characters going to sleep. For Chapter 2 I believe they will find the job they are searching for. They are so determined to find a job that it will rise upon them soon. Because determination is a trait someone should have because it almost always pays off. 

4) Summarize: In the story so far we learned that their is two characters looking for a job during the 1930s. We already know that the 2 character names are Lennie & George. They are wandering around looking for a job because of things such as the Great Depression happening during that time period it's a difficult task. The two characters both depend on each other, because one is the one with the intelligence and the other one is the one with the strength. With no guaranteed job available they have to walk for days and sleep anywhere just to look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3apWhtC-uvU

-All you could do to find a job during the Great Depression was either go out and look for one or MARCH!

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 opening of Mice & Men relates to the pictures that we did in class. In the Bag Man on the Road, you can see the man with denim trousers and something slung over his shoulders. And also, he is walking down a single path maybe for job.  But, the only difference is that there is only 1 person instead of two.  The picture of Highway 84 there is a huge sign that explains that cotton pickers are wanted.
     Even though the sign does not to Mice & Men directly it still relates because in the story 2 men are walking lifeless, maybe for a job. In the picture Pea Picker the women with the dark face and restless eyes kind of also describes the women. So the two men that were walking down the path alone could have had a wife waiting for them back home.  By looking at  the pictures I now know a lot about the 1930s. I can now see the clothing people were during that time period. And also, how cars were not something you see everywhere, you had to walk to where you wanted to go. Who knew that 4 pictures can have a huge  meaning in a story or a time period.