When I first accepted the book, Of mice and men, I found its cover interesting and I read all of the comments. When I finished reading chapter1, though I was impressed by the elaborate description of the surroundings, I couldn’t find anything that might lead the story to be “A thriller” like The New York Times commented on the back of the book. I ignored the desolate cover and the comments that obviously indicate a tragedy and just continue to read, faithfully expected the time Gorge and Lennie achieve their dream and live happily together.
But after I read the conclusion of Peter’s essay, I rushed to read the rest. After I finished it I recognized Peter’s words on Thursday saying the detail Steinbeck described in his novel all are related and affect the story. Just like Carlson’s deed and Candy’s thought toward the old dog that influence the main character, George, to make a decision on his follower’s destiny, Lennie’s.
Overall, I really like this novel. The description is so detailed that I could imagine the picture. It is as if Steinbeck observed it from reality. Beside, the story is very well plotted and very engrossing.
I've read two other Steinbeck's novel, The Red Pony, and East of Eden but i found they weren't very enjoyable as this one, may be because I read them in simplified version in Penguin Readers. However, I found what East of eden and Of mice and men have in common, the trouble in both story are caused by a woman, who didn't behave well and they both died. Does Steinbeck want to denote that women are troublemakers and should be got rid of? I think I must fetch The Red Pony which i already forgot all the story and read it again to find some clue. What do you think? Am i too pessimistic?
But after I read the conclusion of Peter’s essay, I rushed to read the rest. After I finished it I recognized Peter’s words on Thursday saying the detail Steinbeck described in his novel all are related and affect the story. Just like Carlson’s deed and Candy’s thought toward the old dog that influence the main character, George, to make a decision on his follower’s destiny, Lennie’s.
Overall, I really like this novel. The description is so detailed that I could imagine the picture. It is as if Steinbeck observed it from reality. Beside, the story is very well plotted and very engrossing.
I've read two other Steinbeck's novel, The Red Pony, and East of Eden but i found they weren't very enjoyable as this one, may be because I read them in simplified version in Penguin Readers. However, I found what East of eden and Of mice and men have in common, the trouble in both story are caused by a woman, who didn't behave well and they both died. Does Steinbeck want to denote that women are troublemakers and should be got rid of? I think I must fetch The Red Pony which i already forgot all the story and read it again to find some clue. What do you think? Am i too pessimistic?
2 comments:
I was in two minds about putting that final sentence in my essay because I didn't want to give away what happens too much. If it prompted you to read teh rest of the book to see what happens, then I'm glad I decided to leave it in.
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No, not all of Steinbeck's women are portrayed negatively - in The Grapes of Wrath, set in teh same period as Of Mice and Men, the women, especially the mother in the main family, are strong and nourishing figures who struggle mightily to hold their families together in the midst of upheaval and desperation.
And I like your review comments about the novel.
Thanks for sharing them along with your other thoughts.
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