Elizabeth Gooch

Elizabeth Gooch
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
Historical Fiction
Just Right
Just finished (107)

1. The end of the book Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck we come to the end of Lennie's adventures and struggles. Towards the end of the book Lennie accidentally kills Curley's Wife by breaking her neck while he was feeling her hair. He realized that this was a horrible thing he had done so he went to the bush by the river. He went there because he had remembered what George had said to him about how if he got into a lot of trouble he should go there and wait for George to come and find him. So, Lennie did go there and shortly after George found out about Curley's Wife and knew where Lennie would be. George, Curley and few other bunk mates then set out for the bush by the river and most had their mind set on killing Lennie, although George wasn't so sure that that was what needed  to be done. George then went ahead of the others and found Lennie by himself. He was talking to Lennie when he realized that it was time for him to go and he remembered what the man had said to Candy before killing his dog. He had told Candy that he'll shoot him right in the back of the head so that he won't feel any pain. So, George took out the gun and shot Lennie right in the back of his head. When the other men found him they were glad that Lennie was now gone and didn't understand why George looked sad. All except Slim who realized how much Lennie meant to George and offered George and drink. Then they walked off down the highway together.

2. Overall, I did really enjoy this book. Some things that helped me form my decision were the characters personalities. For example I liked how respected Slim was respected by everyone in the bunk even though he wasn't the oldest or toughest or even the boss's son like Curley is. I also did like that there was a character like Curley who started the issues between other characters. If Curley wasn't the way that he is there wouldn't have been much conflict throughout the book. I also liked this book because of all the foreshadowing that the author hinted at throughout the book. Even though I might not have understood it right away it was interesting to go back after I finished and realize how much the author really foreshadowed. For example, because Lennie did have trouble with a girl back in Weed I understood that that could show up again, but I didn't know where or with whom or how bad the situation would really be. I think the author is pulling me in as a reader with Lennie's disability and struggles. If Lennie wasn't like this the story would be completely different. This is a new author to me.

3.  One theme that has appeared throughout the novel is Family Blessing. This theme seems to appear in characters rather than plot. For example, George and Lennie were like family to one another which might not appear as a blessing at first although is it. If Lennie didn't have George he would probably be in jail and he would have anyone to keep him in line. He definitely wouldn't have been able to get a job either or many other things that he could with George guiding him. Also if George didn't have Lennie he would still be able to do things like get a job or save money to buy land, but his personality would be different. Perhaps he wouldn't be as caring to others as he is now, and not as responsible. Since he has been caring for Lennie for a long time now he has learned responsibility and how to care and teach others. This theme also appears with Candy and his dog. They had also been together for many years and he was Candy's companion. This is why Candy was so reluctant to give him up when the other bunk mates wanted him gone. Also, why he need persuading to finally let him die. This theme appears in those characters that are lucky in this book.

4. My favorite character in this book is Slim. I like Slim even though you don't know much about his backround but because he is so nice to everyone. He is the one who eventually goes off with George at the end and that could show that they eventually do become great friends. I also like that he is so respected my everyone and that he has so much authority. He has this authority because nobody would cross or question him. Although the author doesn't explain much about how he got this way I find it very interesting. Overall, I like Slim because of his personality and how kind he is to George, when nobody else may understand.

5. My least favorite character is Curley. Curley is the boss's son and he thinks he can control everyone because of it. I also don't like how bad tempered he is especially when he gets mad at Lennie right away because he is bigger and stronger than him. He is too judgmental and has little respect for others. I also don't like how much he picks on Lennie when Lennie wasn't even looking for trouble. He also is not nice to his wife. He doesn't seem to care about her much and just seems to use her as a "trophy wife". I never really liked Curley in the beginning and that didn't change throughout the book.

6. I definitely did not expect that George would kill Lennie at the end although I do understand why. If Lennie was to continue on his life would become even harder. He would have been placed in jail or eventually killed my Curley. He also would have continued to struggle over what had happened with Curley's Wife and would have felt horrible. I think the author hinted towards Lennie's death with Candy's dog's death. Lennie's death and Candy's dog's death were both quite similar at the end. They both were put out of there misery either it be mental or physical. I can understand why George did kill Lennie at the end and I think George knew that if he did it, it would be less painful than if Curley killed him. I think it took a lot of courage from George to do that because he knew it needed to happen.