Earlier this evening, I finished reading John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" for the third time :-) because Michelle is studying this book for her Literature and to guide her properly, I have to revise the book and think deep and hard about many aspects of the novel. She thought I was bonkers when I cried in my one on one with her as I explained the deep implication of the ending of the story.
Without a doubt, Steinbeck remains my favorite American author together with Ernest Hemingway, Arthur Miller and Paul Auster. I am just so amazed that each reading has elicited a different response each time. When I read it as a young teenager in Form 1, I was angry at Lennie for the way in which George had to bail him out so many times. Then in my twenties, I was more enraged with the sub-plots of the story and felt quite frustrated with the corrupting power of women and the impossibility of the American Dream faced by desperately poor Californian wanderers. Now, in my forties, I realize that Steinbeck wanted us to realize the predatory nature of human existence in this simple tale that also embodies idealized male friendship - very rare in modern society.
I have read and possess almost all of Steinbeck's books with the exception of the more obscure ones such as "America and Americans", "In Dubious Battle", "The Log from the Sea of Cortez", "Forgotten Village" and "A Russian Journal". My favorites would be "The Grapes of Wrath", "Of Mice and Men", "East of Eden", "The Pearl" and "The Red Pony".
To appreciate the book, we must understand his background. John Steinbeck was born in 1902 in Salinas, California, that became the setting for much of his fiction, including "Of Mice and Men". As a teenager, he spent his summers working as a hired hand on neighboring ranches, where his experiences of rural California and its people impressed him deeply. In 1919, he enrolled at Stanford University, where he studied intermittently for the next six years before finally leaving without having earned a degree. For the next five years, he worked as a reporter and then as caretaker for a Lake Tahoe estate while he completed his first novel, an adventure story called Cup of Gold, published in 1929. He only achieved critical and commercial success six years later when Tortilla Flat was published in 1935.
Steinbeck sets "Of Mice and Men" against the backdrop of Depression-era America. The economic conditions of the time victimized workers like George and Lennie, whose quest for land was thwarted by cruel and powerful forces beyond their control, but whose tragedy was marked, ultimately, by steadfast compassion and love - qualities which are so absent in our society today (pardon my cynicism). Just as George and Lennie dream of a better life on their own farm, the Great Plains farmers dreamed of finding a better life in California. The state's mild climate promised a longer growing season and, with soil favorable to a wider range of crops, it offered more opportunities to harvest. Despite these promises, though, very few found it to be the land of opportunity and plenty of which they dreamed. And isn't that the way dreams seem to go sometimes, when we have to wrestle against fate and other circumstances that are way beyond our control?
To be honest, critical opinions of Steinbeck's work have always been mixed. Steinbeck was strongly influenced by his contemporary, Ernest Hemingway stylistically and in his emphasis on manhood and male relationships, which figure heavily in "Of Mice and Men".
Even though Steinbeck was hailed as a great author in the 1930s and '40s, and won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1962, many critics have faulted his works for being superficial, sentimental, and overly moralistic. But I like this!!! Though "Of Mice and Men" is regarded by some as his greatest achievement, many critics argue that it suffers from one-dimensional characters and an excessively deterministic plot, which renders the lesson of the novel more important than the people in it. To a certain extent, this is a valid argument but I often question what was his hidden agenda in writing this tale, given the fact that he puts in so much effort in his works and was such a devoted and disciplined writer.
Frankly, "Of Mice and Men" teaches us all a grim lesson about the nature of human existence. Nearly all of the characters, including George, Lennie, Candy, Crooks, and Curley's wife, admit, at one time or another, to having a profound sense of loneliness and isolation. Each desires the comfort of a friend, but will settle for the attentive ear of a stranger. Curley's wife admits to Candy, Crooks, and Lennie that she is unhappily married. Crooks tells Lennie that life is no good without a companion to turn to in times of confusion and need. Very skilfully, Steinbeck renders the characters helpless by their isolation, and yet, even at their weakest, they seek to destroy those who are even weaker than they!!! Perhaps the most powerful example of this cruel tendency is when Crooks criticizes Lennie's dream of the farm and his dependence on George. Having just admitted his own vulnerabilities—he is a black man with a crooked back who longs for companionship—Crooks zeroes in on Lennie's own weaknesses.
In scenes such as this one, Steinbeck records a profound human truth: oppression does not come only from the hands of the strong or the powerful. Crooks seems at his strongest when he has nearly reduced Lennie to tears for fear that something bad has happened to George, just as Curley's wife feels most powerful when she threatens to have Crooks lynched. The novel suggests that the most visible kind of strength, that used to oppress others, is itself born of weakness. How true - not only in the book but around us too!!
In "Of Mice and Men", Candy's dog represents the fate awaiting anyone who has outlived his or her purpose. Once a fine sheepdog, useful on the ranch, Candy's mutt is now debilitated by age. Candy's sentimental attachment to the animal—his plea that Carlson let the dog live for no other reason than that Candy raised it from a puppy—means nothing at all on the ranch. I was very upset at this point of the novel. Although Carlson promises to kill the dog painlessly, his insistence that the old animal must die supports a cruel natural law that the strong will dispose of the weak. Candy accepts his decision much as he loves his dog and more importantly, he internalizes this lesson, for he fears that he himself is nearing an age when he will no longer be useful at the ranch, and therefore no longer welcome. How true of many sectors in society who look down on the elderly!!! This should not be the case at all.
I think the part which I love most because it always moves me to tears is the tragic end of George and Lennie's friendship. This melodramatic end has such a profound impact that anyone can sense that the friends have, by the end of the novel, lost a dream larger than themselves!! And that is most disheartening - to be propelled forward by a dream and then to lose it....*sighs*
The farm on which George and Lennie plan to live—a place that no one ever reaches—has a magnetic quality, as Crooks points out. After hearing a description of only a few sentences, Candy is completely drawn in by its magic. Crooks has witnessed countless men fall under the same silly spell, and still he cannot help but ask Lennie if he can have a patch of garden to hoe there. The men in "Of Mice and Men" desire to come together in a way that would allow them to be like brothers to one another. That is, they want to live with one another and have the best interests of others in mind, to protect each other, and to know that there is someone in the world dedicated to protecting them. Given the harsh, lonely conditions under which these men live, it should come as no surprise that they idealize friendships between men in such a way.
But wait a minute - isn't that too unrealistic?
Ultimately, however, the world is too harsh and predatory a place to sustain such relationships. Lennie and George, who come closest to achieving this ideal of brotherhood, are forced to separate tragically. With this, a rare friendship vanishes, but the rest of the world—represented by Curley and Carlson, who watch George stumble away with grief from his friend's dead body—fails to acknowledge or appreciate it. And isn't it so true in this cruel world in which we live? Some can be great friends to others who don't appreciate them and the giver of love walks away in deep sorrow while the one who rejects love continues to live with a hardened heart....
I wonder if Steinbeck wanted to wake us from our slumber and to make us see more of ourselves in the characters he created in "Of Mice and Men" so that we can live more, love more and judge less...condemn less. What do you think?
If you have not read it, please get your hands on the book or check out the e-book version which is available in cyberspace. In the mean time, I am going back to Orhan Pamuk's "SNOW" - another brilliant tale. Have a lovely evening, dear blog reader and God bless you!
It is not easy to maintain a relationship or a marriage. It takes a lot of effort, commitment, tolerance, patience, understanding, acceptance etc. Here are six tips that help keep couples together long after they tie the knot, (and after many of their friends and acquaintances have decided to divorce).
TIP#1 -- CONTINUE DATING
Over the years, people often drift apart. Relationships and marriages become stale because couples fail to do new and special things together. That's why going on new and refreshing dates is so important. In fact, there is something about "dating" that creates a sense of magic in a relationship and can even bring relationships out of a rut.
While on a date, you also put more effort into your appearance, have more uninterrupted time to communicate on a deeper level and are naturally drawn closer together. This creates more intimacy.
Stuck for ideas? Spend the day visiting an historic part of the city, have lunch at a new café', go the zoo or museum, the aquarium, take a drive to the next town or city and spend a few hours out of familiar surroundings.
TIP#2 -- DELAY IS OFTEN BETTER
It's a well-documented statistic that couples that have dated for a year or longer before marriage have a significantly lower rate of divorce than those who married after a short dating period. A year of dating gives time for many emotions to surface and many character traits to be discovered. You may see the halo around your mate's head in the summer, but start to see some horns coming out by wintertime.
Then you wonder, "Who is this person?"
TIPS#3 -- ALWAYS EXPRESS YOUR LOVE
Oftentimes, as a relationship matures, partners tend to stop praising each other because they assume their partner already knows what they're thinking. When in reality, a day should never go by without you praising your partner. Compliment them on their
cooking, reaffirm that they're the greatest person in the world, or tell them they do a great job with the kids. Always flirt with your mate - it helps to keep the juices flowing and it makes both of you feel attractive. If you want to be loved and romanced by your sweetheart, love and romance them first. When they're feeling loved, it is much easier to love in return.
Are you a super supporter of what your mate does and says? Do you cheer them on and praise them constantly? Or do they constantly hear complaints, criticisms, or nothing?
TIP#4 -- TAKE TIME TO UNDERSTAND YOUR PARTNER
Couples with the most problems are often the ones that say, "I just don't understand him/her.
Question: How knowledgeable are you about your mate's profession or the degree they are pursuing? Do you know anything about his or her family heritage? Are you able to have a meaningful conversation about his making airplanes out of Beer cans hobby, or her interest in Wine?
If you are a man, do you fully understand what women experience during PMS or
menopause?
If you are a woman, do you fully understand aspects of Colon Cancer, and what you can do to be conscious about other male medical issues to help keep your partner healthy?
You don't need to become each other's mirror image, but make an effort to learn about the things that interest your partner in life and you'll grow closer as a result.
TIP#5 -- ANSWER THE *BIG* QUESTIONS
Does your partner want kids? Do you both want careers? Do they have a history of spending their way into debt? Do they go to church? Are there any illnesses that run in their families?
The biggest reason almost half of marriages end in divorce is because couples fail to ask each other the right questions BEFORE they get married.
People think they'll be able to change their spouses after marriage and everything will be better. That is a sad myth that many believe. If you fail to sit down and discuss
finances, religion, sex, housing, your future, and other topics in great detail, you could end up with nothing but argument after argument for the rest of your life.
TIP#6--DON'T WAIT TO GET HELP
It is inevitable that as a married couple, you will hit many tough challenges over time. The dynamics of the marriage changes as you have children, age, grow together as a couple, along with some outside circumstances that may come into play. If at some point you feel you need help, get help. If you're finding the communication is off, or that you and your mate are talking at each other instead of to each other, do not be afraid to seek help. There are also some times when couples need to do an assessment of their relationship, and take inventory. Be proactive before things escalate.
The Internet provides a wealth of self-help e-books and CDs that you can download. Seek help from your pastor or spiritual counselor, or your neighborhood Community Center. If you have the financial means to spend on professional counseling, do it. However, with the recession that we are currently facing, it is suggested to be as frugal as possible. A couple doesn't need to spend thousands to keep their relationship in tact. Informational resources and free counseling from people that do it through a community, church, or occupational provision can offer direction to a couple as they try to get back on track, as well as enhance their communication. Sometimes, a trusted, third set of ears can help.
In the end, if you both have completely different views, desires and goals in life, there's no guarantee that chemistry or "I love you's" will help you stay together.
Make it your utmost priority to do what you did to attract your partner throughout your relationship.
To learn more, visit: http://www.bettersexloverelationship.info
Author's Bio
K. M. Green is currently working towards completion of a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Texas at Arlington. Having extensive experience in Fine Dining Food and Beverage, other work experience has been in the Legal field, working as a Transcriptionist or Interpreter. Writing subjects include Relationships, the Service industry, Political Commentary, Spiritual Growth, and Food and Wine.
Enjoy the ride; There is no return ticket.
George Carlin's Views on Aging
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life ! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.
But! wait!! ! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and make it to 60.
You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!
You get into ! your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'
Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3.Keep learning. ! Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them , at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!
Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy sh*t ...what a ride!'
HAVE A NICE DAY AND A WONDERFUL LIFE!!!
I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important.
My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.
Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.
Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.
Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.
Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.
Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.
Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.
Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.
Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.
Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.
What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!
-- Author Unknown
