Of Mice and Men (Beyond the LIne)

Compare how do we as a society treat mental challenge people differently than in the novel Of Mice and Men?

Isn’t it funny how things can change and be so different? Back in the 20’s people would shoot mental retarded people for sport and now we can’t even look at them the wrong with getting ridicule or punish. In the novel of Mice and Men, Lennie a mental challenge person, travels with his companion George. Together they face many tribulations but only one makes out alive. Throughout the book, Lennie had to keep his mouth shut because George didn’t want any unnecessary attention draw to Lennie. George was afraid, that people would hurt Lennie because he was different. I began to think how much we have grown as a society. Today, we have the upmost respect for the mentally retarded, they get special treatment, special teacher and made jokes about mental retarded people are looked down upon.
Mentally retarded children walk and talk later, are slightly shorter and are usually more susceptible to physical problems and illnesses than other children. They also generally score lower on tests of motor ability and physical fitness, although this is more due to neglect and lack of opportunity to improve than their disability. Teachers have a website that gives pointers on how to teach a mentally retarded child. For example, never underestimate students' abilities. Give lots of praise. Let a child repeat a success several times so they can enjoy their sense of accomplishment. Provide prompt feedback. In the story of Mice and Men, Lennie only got praise when he was doing labor. George verbally abused him.
George always made jokes about Lennie, he called “him crazy bastard” and more. Now many Celebrities can’t even make a joke about mentally ill people, without having to apologize for it later. Let’s take a look at President Obama. Towards the end of a 40mintues appearance on a show, the president talked about how he’s gotten better at bowling and has been practicing in the White House bowling alley. He bowled a 129, the president said. “That’s very good Mr. President,” Leno said sarcastically. “It’s like the special Olympics or something,” the president. Many people got offend by this comment. Sarah Palin is "outraged" over his comment. She had this to say “I was shocked to learn of the comment made by President Obama about Special Olympics. This was a degrading remark about our world's most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world."
Congress raised hundreds of millions of dollars from two voter-approved programs for the mentally ill and poor children. Mentally retard Children can get money from the government. They have their own scholarship and they even get special classrooms and teachers.
Furthermore, look at how far we have come as a nation. We no longer torment and harass the mentally impaired. We as a society value every mind and we try our best to support and provide the disadvantage people with help and care. There are numerous programs out there to look after and care for mental ill people. People that have a great influence in our country are highly advised not to make jokes about the mentally challenge. Not only do we provide programs but teacher are train a special way to teach them. I find myself wondering, what if Lennie lived in this time period? Maybe he wouldn’t have been shot. What do you think?

Of Mice and Men (Between the Lines)

Why is Lennie responsible for the death of their "dream"? And how did Lennie's death affect George? Is this the question?

I believe, that Lennie killed the dream by continuously getting in trouble, Lennie has forced them to run from the law a couple times and cost them their money and their jobs. Lennie's death affected George because George was responsible for killing Lennie. He felt obligated to be the one to end his life because he felt responsible for helping Lennie run and for the death of the young girl,Curley's wife and the mice.

OF Mice and Men (Between the Lines)

Describe the Conflice between Curley and Lennie.

One conflict in the novel that takes place between two characters is the hatred that Curley feels toward Lennie. Because Curley is a smaller man, he feels overpowered by how big Lennie is but is a man who can not handle being overpowered by anyone. By accident, Lennie killed Curley's wife inresulted George killed Lennie. The conflict is really not resolved until George kills Lennie at the end of the novel after Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife. Through this conflict, we learn that Lennie really does not have any idea of what is going on in his life or in the world around him -- his naivety shines through when you realize that he has no idea that Curley hates him. Additionally, you do find out just how strong Lennie is when he crushes Curley's hand out of anger toward him. The reader finds out that Curley is insecure and must be in charge and have total power no matter what

Of Mice and Men (Between the Lines)

What does the Crooks' room look like? How does it smybolize him?

Crooks' room really isn't a room. It's a small little area, its a place where ranchers store farming equipment. The room is filled with all the stuff Crooks has collected in his life. Therefore, the room is symbolic. Crooks is not considered a man by the people on the farm. He's just a piece of equipment. That's why he's out in the barn with all the other pieces of equipment, and that's why he's bent over like an old, broken down piece of equipment. Crooks, understandably, becomes excited about the possibility of joining the George/Lenny farm because he thinks that maybe he'll finally have a room to call his own, and he'll finally be accepted as an equal. The room truly represents how trapped Crooks is in his life, and how little others regard him.

Of Mice And Men (Between the line Questions.)

In chapter 3, Of Mice and Men, there are some similarities between Candy and his dog and George and Lennie. Explain the similarities

George, Lennie, Candy and candy’s dog have numerous similarities. Both partners have been together for a long time. But the bigger picture is the way, they both depend on each other. George and Candy, depend on Lennie and the dog for companionship. But, Lennie and the dog depend on George and Candy to take care of them. Also at the end of the book Lennie get shot just like the dog did in chapter three