Theme Analysis

In last week's blog response, I asked you to select a theme that "hit home" with you the most. Now that you have set your sights on a theme you would most like work with some more, it is time to test your skills of analysis. Scan through the last chapter (6) in Of Mice and Men and see if you can pull out a moment from the text that, upon close reading, says something about your selected theme.

For example, imagine that I am a student who was most interested in the theme of "The American Dream." When scanning chapter 6 I came across this moment in the text:

"A water snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its periscope head from side to side; and it swam the length of the pool and came to the legs of a motionless heron that stood in the shallows. A silent head and beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head, and the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically."

Next, try to analyze how this moment is somehow connected the theme you have chosen. It mights sound something like:

One of the final images of setting that Steinbeck offers us in Of Mice and Men involves a snake being eaten unexpectedly by a taller, silent bird. The snake "gliding smoothly up the pool" is similar to an American citizen in the 1930s attempting to work their way towards a goal of prosperity. The snake moves its way around obstacles as it sees them, just like a hardworking citizen has to jump some hurdles in the pursuit of their dream. However, the unfortunate truth of the matter is that "The American Dream" is beyond the grasp of most people because of unforeseen enemies to their progress. The tall heron might be a symbol for the more powerful upper or dominant class of society silently waiting in the shadows. The heron ultimately swallows the snake, and in the same light, many Americans dreams are snatched from American people in ways that they do not suspect. 

In chapter 6 in, Of Mice and Men, freedom is portrayed within George and Lennie.  "Come on George.  Me an' you'll go in an' get a drink."........."yeah a drink"page 107)  After killing Lennie, George had the freedom to do whatever he wanted.  He always complained about Lennie saying that if Lennie wasn't there, he could have done whatever he wanted.  George does not have Lennie as a burden anymore.  He is a free man which means that he has the right to do anything.  If he went to town to get a drink and Lenine was alive, then he would have to arrange something to make sure Lennie would be okay.  Now he doesn't have to go through that trouble of taking care of Lennie.  From the minute George pulled the trigger, he was free! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9irH7ruetdo