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 chose the first picture of the two people and the horses because, they are traveling just like the two characters in the book. The two people in the picture are opposite just like the people in the book. The only difference is that the people in the picture have horses but the people in the story do not. They look like they are going on a journey or traveling and thats what i think the people in the book are doing.
Maria,
ReplyDeleteI like that you chose the picture with the two people and the horse. I found it interesting that you said the two people in the picture "are opposite just like the people in the book." John Steinbeck really did go put a lot of effort into creating characters that were very opposite from one another. Traveling or having to go to great lengths to get a job was the one thing that many people had in common with each other during this time period. What characteristic about Lennie and George as opposites really stands out to you in these first paragraphs? Why do you think Steinbeck made such a big deal about these characters being so opposite from one another?