Steinbeck stuff

"The loose-hung soldiers, having very little experience in war and none at all in defeat, opened fire with their rifles" (1.)

This passage from John Steinbeck's, The Moon is Down, clearly illustrates the innocence of the people and how unexpectedly this invasion took them. This also shows that like Lenny and George, they didn't really have a backup plan, they simply did what seemed right in the moment and didn't look at the possible negative consequences or outcomes.

"The drawing-room of the palace was very sweet and comfortable. the gilded chairs covered with their worn tapestry were set about tiffly like too many servants with nothing to do" (2.)

""Beside the fireplace old doctor Winter sat, bearded and simple and benign [...] He watched in amazement while his thumbs rolled over and over on his lap.

This seemingly unnecessary detail regarding setting is very signature to all of Steinbeck's works, and the way in which Steinbeck uses setting becomes more clear the more you read books by Steinbeck. This setting sets the mood but more importantly it allows the reader to visualize the entire scene and not only focus on the words and action. This setting allows you to step back and gain more perspective on the events occurring, and by putting these events in context it somehow makes the work seem more laid back and allows the reader to not take everything so seriously. Something that we should all do now and again.

"Dr. Winter was a man so simple that only a profound man would know him as profound." (2)

This quote portrays the profound nature of these works. A common theme in Steinbeck is living simply, and how extraordinary that is, as simple as it sounds. Mack in the boys in Cannery Row, George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men, and Dr. Winter in The Moon is Down.

"Be still! Don't talk like that! These people! these horrible people! These cold people! They never look at you! (63)

This quote illustrates the destructive nature of man, and the evil of mankind. This is an obvious theme of this book; the theme of evil goes hand in hand with any war novel. This theme is also very clear in of mice and men, with the shooting of the dog, to the shooting of Lennie.

From Mice to Men

When George and Lennie arrive at the ranch George assures Lennie of their connection and the integral theme of male companionship is raised.

Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. . . . With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar room blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us. (13-14)

To me these next two quotes represent the American dream.

"All kin's a vegetables in the garden, and if we want a little whisky we can sell a few eggs or something, or some milk. We'd jus' live there. We'd belong there. There wouldn't be no more runnin' round the country and gettin' fed by a Jap cook. No, sir, we'd have our own place where we belonged and not sleep in no bunk house" (63).

A much more cynical view of the American dream.

"I seen hundreds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an' that same damn thing in their heads. Hundreds of them. They come, an' they quit an' go on; an' every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it. Just like heaven. Everybody wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It's just in their head. They're all the time talkin' about it, but it's jus' in their head" (81).

A huge issue of this novel is the goodwill of mankind and the distrusting view of mankind, this issue is prevalent to the reoccurring theme of the “traveler” who enjoys traveling just for fun, in cannery row.

“Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy. I just like to know what your interest is" (25).

This is also on the issue companionship, this time with candy and his dog.

The old man [Candy] squirmed uncomfortably. "Well-hell! I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him." He said proudly, "You wouldn’t think it to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen." (111)

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck...where to begin? Like many of the characters in Steinbeck's novels, the characters seem to struggle with remaining carefree yet responsible enough to survive. Similar to Mack and the boys in Cannery Row, George and Lennie seem to drift through life and space; they seem to be ethereal representations of the time period and the ideal, thoughtful and carefree lifestyle that seems integral to most of Steinbeck's works. Also like many of Steinbeck's others writings, Of Mice and Men is set in California.

The two main characters, George and Lennie, are quickly categorized as wondering blue-collar workers. George expresses loneliness, which is interesting because it isn't an emotion ever connected with Mack and the boys at all. I interpreted this as George looking for some support to care for Lennie, and lets face it, no matter how great of a person Lennie is, it is inevitable that George will yearn for some non-retarded company. This is an interesting commentary on how men can live, and how true male companionship is a much needed part of this carefree yet observant and intellectual lifestyle that always seems to posses faint undertones of the Beat Movement of San Francisco, although Of Mice and Men was published before the 1950's.

Remaining on the issue of relations between George and Lennie comes the issue of power, which is a reoccurring theme throughout the novel. A parallel that immediately jumped out at me that remained hidden to my previously unversed eye was the link between Lennie's control and mishandling of his mice, and George's own control and mishandling of Lennie. In a way they both have the much needed tragic flaws, George's quick temper and Lennie's strength, that keeps that from properly connection with their "lessors".

Also, another theme that seems to weasel its way into all of our readings is the concept of the authors perception of the American Dream. George and Lennie's constantly reoccurring dream of owning a farmhouse seems to be the thing keeping them going, yet this American Dream is not meant to be, leaving the sole George once again drifting and destitute, staring over the mountains with a shot-gun in his hand.