Novel Reaction: Thinking Forward

We have investigated many captivating themes that exist in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men over the last few weeks.  You have explored the desperation and poverty of the American 1930s through pictures and video.  You have witnessed how John Steinbeck used naturalism to portray certain characters as "human beasts" acting on impulsiveness and instinct for self-preservation.  You have examined how the author used literary devices such as sentimentalism, diction, tone, parallelism, and foreshadowing in order to propel these themes.  You have close-read and analyzed the text digging deeper and deeper for evidence of themes such as Power vs. Powerlessness, Individual vs. Community, The American Dream, Euthanasia, Racism, Loneliness, and maybe even a little Sexism.  Pat yourself on the back!  You have been critically thinking about this novella on so many different levels. 

For this week's blog response, you need to make some pretty serious decisions!  We are quickly approaching the time where you will be expected to write your Research Paper based on a topic of interest from Of Mice and Men.  If you have been keeping up with your reading, completing your notes, participating in conversations and activities during class on the various themes, and completing your blog responses this choice will be fairly easy!  If not, you may be in for a struggle....

What topic or theme that we have touched on during this unit has "hit home" with you the most?  Which theme or topic has a personal connection for you?  Which did you find most captivating or interesting to discuss and investigate during this unit?  Select a topic/theme from the list above that peaks your interest, and, in this week's blog response, discuss why you find it fascinating, which moment in the story you think about when reflecting on this theme, and how this theme is relevant in today's world.

    The theme that I have found the most interesting would most likely be racism. This is because whenever the topic of racism is brought up, I tend to do individual voluntary research. It might not be in depth research, but I like to maybe Google search pictures of segregation or something like that. It just fascinates me how big of a deal the color of your skin was to other people. While this isn't as much of a problem today, as everything public like schools (and water fountains) are integrated, there are still hints of racism around the world, which I still can not understand. 
   
     If I had to pick a moment in the story I thought about most, it would be pretty much all of chapter 4, where Lennie and Candy end up hanging out in Crooks' room. That chapter is, by far, the most racist chapter in this whole book. It explains how living segregated would be, includes racial slurs, and shows just how powerless Crooks is compared to others.  If you'd like more info on segregation, check out this website from the National Museum of American History!