Veni, Vidi, Dormivi

Question: How do you know that George and Lennie have known each other for a long time?

It’s not hard to discover that George and Lennie have known each other for a long time. They basically say it straight out in the third chapter when they’re talking to Slim. Slim questions that it’s not that normal that two guys are working with each other for that long, and George answers “We have known each other for a long time”. Though I will of course put some other examples in except for that. On the way to the ranch Lennie is petting a dead mouse, and he vaguely remembered a woman who used to give him mice to pet. George tells Lennie he’s quite stupid, because that woman was Lennie’s aunt, who passed away a while ago. This tells that George knows Lennie very well as he knows Lennie’s family members. Seeing as the aunt has been dead for a while as well it indicates that George has known Lennie for quite some time. Also, the main thing behind all this: George and Lennie have been working with each other on many jobs, and Lennie always ruins it according to George. This tells us they’ve had quite many jobs, and that they’ve been working with each other for a long time. Based on the examples and facts above, we know that George and Lennie have known each other for a long time.

1.  Which one of John Steinbeck’s novels won a Pulitzer Prize?
John Steinbeck won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel The Grapes of Wrath.

2.  Where and what year was he born?
John Steinbeck was born in Salinas Valley, 27th February 1902.

3.  Name three of John Steinbeck’s books that were made into Hollywood films?

Here are three books by John Steinbeck that was made into Hollywood films: The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men and The Forgotten Village
4.  In what year did John Steinbeck write of Mice and Men?

Of Mice and Men was published in 1937 by Spangler (the publisher).
5.  What did John Steinbeck do during WWII?

During World War II Steinbeck was a war correspondent for New York Herald Tribune. If Steinbeck was caught he would have been executed, but all his missions were successful. Steinbeck got the Haakon VII medal of freedom because he contributed with helping the norwegian resistance movement.

6.  What US President awarded Steinbeck the United States Medal of Freedom.

Lyndon B. Johnson awarded Steinbeck the United States Medal of Freedom.

7.   What is John Steinbeck’s Museum called?

John Steinbeck’s museum is called The National Steinbeck Center.

8.  How old was Steinbeck when he died?

John Steinbeck was 66 years old when he died.

9.  What does the novel “The Moon is Down”, have to do with Norway?

The Moon Is Down is much like the German occupation of Norway druing World War II.

10.  Find out on the internet the two main characters “Of Mice and Men”.  Tell me a little about them and what the story is about  (8 sentences).

George Milton is an intelligent man, and he is also caring. With him is Lennie Small, a man who has mental problems, and he is incredible strong. Lennie can’t control his own strength, which gives him some problems. With an accident Lennie kills his puppy, and he is afraid that George won’t let him be near the rabbits anymore. Lennie is fond of soft and smoothe things, like animal fur and hair. George is having a ranch, and he and Lennie wants to make the dream of owning their own piece of land come true. The dream seems to be within their reach, but problems start when Lennie is accused for attempted rape because his uncontrolable strength when he touched a young woman’s dress. In the end the dream is crushed when Lennie kills Curley’s wife in an accident.

Question 1:    Write a list of all the characters in this story and describe what type of person they are.

Elaine – Elaine is a good person, though she is the one caught in a viscious circle. She is hanging around with friends that have bad influence on her. The “leader” of her friend-gang makes her do things that she doesn’t really want to do. She does not like Cordelia, but she still does whatever she tells her to do.

Cordelia – She is, to put it simple, cruel. She can’t stand being made fun of, and she bosses others around. She makes Elaine do things she doesn’t want to do. She is dependant on her friends, but she still treats them like dirt.

Carol – She is not as bad as the others. She is at the bottom a good person, but is bossed around, just as Elaine. Carol cares for others, and she takes things seriously. I think it would be best for her if she found her some other friends, like if she joined Elaine and her new friend Jill.

Grace – It’s not too much about her, but from we see she is basically Cordelia’s puppet. Cordelia’s opinion is her opinion, and she does what Cordelia tells her to do.

Elaine’s Mother – She cares for Elaine, and she knows that her friends aren’t good for her. That’s why it wasn’t hard for her to tell who threw Elaine’s hat from the bridge even if Elaine did not tell her.

Question 2:    What is the theme of this story?  What is the author trying to get across to the reader?

The theme in this story is how some friends have bad influence on others. She is trying to tell you that you should have your own opinions, and don’t just do as others tell you to. In the end you are caught in a viscious circle (which is why she gave that title to the text) and it is harder to stop. Stay away from people who have bad influence on you.

Question 3:    What did you like/dislike about this story, please be specific!

I like the theme in this story. The message the author gives is quite good, and the message counts just as much for today as it counted for 30 years ago. I am glad Elaine discovers that Cordelia has bad influence on her, and decides to find some new friends.