Naturalism as a Mirror of the 1930's

Literature is often a reflection of the time period in which it was written or, in the case of historical fiction, of the time period it is focused on. Authors will often find sneaky little ways to demonstrate the dominant characteristics of the time period by blending in details, that, at a closer glance, reveal these hidden themes.

In class, we viewed several videos (in the LitByFleming blog video bar) that gave us a look at some major events and common themes or characteristics of the 1930s. John Steinbeck certainly considered these elements when writing Of Mice and Men. In fact, it might be said, his writing style intentionally made use of naturalism in order to capture and expose some of the attitudes and characteristics of the American 1930s.

Let's see if you can make the connection! Think about some of the naturalistic elements we identified in class (Chapter 1). What aspects or characteristics of the 1930s are being demonstrated to us at those moments in the text? What do you believe John Steinbeck was trying to show us or expose about the way people, life, or society was during this time in American history?



Chapter one '"Of Mice and Men" displays many characteristics of a human. It shows the extents people had to go to get a job. In the beginning of chapter one Lennie and George are walking to get another job and once they stop to rest Lennie and George find a large dirty pool of water, which Lennie carelessly drinks out of. They describe Lennie as becoming animal like in this section."His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse." (3) After this George of course steps in to intervene, worried that Lennie may become sick after in taking the not so fresh water. This showed that Lennie no longer showed human characteristics but in fact animistic traits. At the time there wasn't as much technology as now, obviously. Which made things boring alongside with the small amount of jobs in the 1930 this could have probably brought out the wild side in people.

Steinbeck presents that life back in the 1930 was nothing, but hard. He demonstrates that if you want something you have to take the risk and all the journeys to get what you want in life. He shows that you can never take a short route in this process . If you want something you must put an effort in to get it. 

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/g/great_depression_1930s/index.html

Picturing the History Behind Of Mice and Men

For a moment the place was lifeless, and then two men emerged from the path and came into the opening by the green pool.
They had walked in single file down the path, and even in the open one stayed behind the other. Both were dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders. The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose. Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely.


The first man stopped short in the clearing, and the follower nearly ran over him. He took off his hat and wiped the sweat-band with his forefinger and snapped the moisture off. His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself. (1.2-4)




Sound familiar? Kind of like the pictures, right? In writing, compare and contrast this opening section from Of Mice and Men to the pictures you analyzed in class. What does the text and the photographs show us about the 1930s? Be specific!

I choose the picture of the man walking on a road by himself. The reminded me of Lennie and George how they both walked looking for a job. The man could look like George because Lennie would probably be taller and well built just like his description. The picture shows us how the 1930s was a hard time. and how you might have had to travel to find a good job.

Chapter 1: Notes

1.) Question:
George is the character involved, The question I have for George is why would he promise to take on such a large responsibility of protecting, caring for, somewhat "raising" a handicap civilian? I say this because the smallest thing Lennie will do, George will get annoyed  already knowing Lennie isn't a normal person.

2.) Prediction:
My prediction is George and Lennie will get to the job and Lennie will accidentally blurt out what made them loose their other job and that's going to make George furious.

3.) Connection:
My connection is that George and Lennie remind me of my Mother and Father size wise because my dad towers over my mother while my mom is only 4'11.