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 "Hit Home" the most for me was the theme of power vs powerlessness. I was very familiar with that topic.

Again, the theme of power vs powerlessness has a personal connection for me. I always think of my dad and I because he has power over me because he is my father and sometimes he'll take advantage of that.

I found the theme of sexism very interesting. The fact that women were so different from men in this time period really caught my attention.

The theme of power vs powerlessness is strangely fascinating to me. I really like how the book shows how powerful some people are and how they can control another person like a puppeteer controls his puppets. 

This theme is evident in a lot of areas in the book. Specifically, the theme is shown through the characters Lennie and Curley's wife. When Lennie was feeling Curley's hair for too long, she screamed, "Let go" (Steinbeck 91). Lennie did not let go. Curley's wife was powerless; she had no control over the situation. Lennie was powerful and would not let go.  

This theme is relevant in our world today. In jobs, or simply in a family, there is those who rule and those who struggle to obey the ruler. For example, in current jobs today, bosses have control over their employers. If the boss says jump, the employer says how high. In our society, power vs powerlessness is a grievous event that occurs in everyday life. Also, in families this is seen. Some parents use a controller to manipulate their children. It's as if in our society children sometimes do not have a mind of their own, their actions are controlled by the one who holds their controller. 

Check out this link on the powerlessness of children in our society
http://www.parentingforsocialchange.com/power.html