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.

A topic or theme that hot me the most is freedom.  When I say freedom, I think of disability, age, loneliness and even gender.  I think that gender has a personal connection to me.  In this world, jobs are differentiated between women and men.  For example, nurses are known as jobs for women, building houses is a job for men, and teachers are mostly women.  If I say that I wanted to be a pharmacist, it would be fine because I am a girl.  If I said that I wanted to build a house, people would ask me why in the world would I want to do that.  In this world, women and men jobs are different based on strength.  Jobs that involve physical strength is mostly for men.  A theme or topic that I found most captivating or interesting to discuss and investigate during this unit is The American Dream. 
Loneliness and the why characters are lonely in this story peaks my interest.  I get fascinated by this because this topic tells and gives me a feel for what people had to face and realize the different ways people can be lonely.  In the story, Curley's wife tells Lennie about her not being able to do anything and that getting married because she had to ruined her career, her life.  I learned how women can feel lonely at many times.  Crooks is lonely based on his color.  He was kept separately and was telling Candy and Lennie how it feels to be alone, away from other men.  After reading this, I understand that loneliness comes within race and gender.  In today's world, people, even teenagers judge people by their color.  Many people are racist towards Africans and make jokes about other cultures.  Women have rights now but jobs are still listed as women should have this kind of job and men should have that kind of job.  There is still loneliness in the world, as it may be no parents, no friends and even in different countries, girl's are not even allowed to leave the house.  Loneliness exists back in the 1930s as well as now may it be race, gender, disability, etc.

This is a video that shows people all on their own trying to fend for themselves while there is no one to help them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZz7mwvmm7A