Something that really stood out to me during the first section of OMAM was the creative characterization. Especially when used with Lennie. The way Steinbeck creates Lennie, especially with the scenario with the mice, both tie into the title, and make me understand Lennie completly. He is a mentally disabled man, who is living during the Great Depression - what a setback. Even smart able bodied men were struggling to find jobs in those days, what hope does Lennie have? But countless times in the first section, Lennie displays selflessness. What really stood out to me was when he offers his imaginary ketchup to George. "I'd leave it all for you. You could cover your beans with it and I wouldn't touch none of it."
He reminds me of a Golden Retriever. Very sweet and eager to please, but not the smartest. Not quite aware of just how big he is.
In contrast, seeing how challenged Lennie is, gives me a huge appreciation for George, (which I assume will grow as the story unfolds.) Here is a man, struggling to find a job, but pursues it with someone who he contantly needs to take care of. The stress! Although a couple times he complains about having Lennie there, I know that deep down he is gratefull for someone to spend time with, and feels the needs to care for Lennie.
If you were living during the Great Depression, and someone like Lennie approached you wanting to look for a job together would you accept? Would you let that person hang around even if it meant more responsibility?
Yes, you can definitely tell that George cares for Lennie deeply, especially when he made him repeat his course of action for the next day; be silent so they can get the job. I think George would be lonely if he got the job and Lennie didn't, even if Lennie said he would just go live in a cave so George could live a normal life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dilyn. George shows much affection for Lennie and I think they work great together. I think that if George got the job, Lennie would act very kind and happy for him, all he wants is for George to live a normal life, but deep down I think both of them would be upset.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. They obviously care for each other greatly. I think that George sometimes 'babies' Lenny but overall he tries to treat him as a equal. They are both trying very hard to find a job, but I think that George knows that Lenny might not get a good job.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with this. Lennie is shown to be a very sweet and sincere, yet very very stupid man. It's not Lennie's fault that he is that way and I think George recognizes that. However, George is sometimes a little harsh with Lennie, but he still genuinely cares about him. He is a fatherly figure for Lennie, providing food, sticking with him even after the bad things he's done, and helping him finding a job (even though it's for him too). I think George is doing an excellent job taking care of Lennie considering their conditions. They obviously care for each other a lot and I hope that they will stay tight throughout the rest of the book.
ReplyDelete(Nice job writing this by the way)
I agreenwith Kaitlyn, George 'babies' Lennie from time to time but I think he does that because he doesn't want Lennie to get in trouble or get hurt. Lennie and George are the perfect friends and George cares about Lennie a lot.
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