1970. Choose a
character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay
in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in
which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and
responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.
Lennie, from John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, is a character that exists in a society that renders him incapable to thrive. In this fictional society, Lennie and his mental disability are not thought of as he stumbles through life unable to stay in one place. This novel shows that the world can be a hard place and that not everybody has it easy.
In Of Mice and Men, people are highly regarded that can work hard without much controversy. For Lennie, this is hard. Since he is mentally unable to understand societal norms and mannerisms, he is often a target for trouble. The only thing society cares about is his strength, which is the only reason he is able to work and have any sort of life at all. These standards in society make it so that certain people thrive, but not everyone gets to have opportunities - even if it is out of their control.
Lennie, a strong and hard worker, is hired for his strength... and nothing else. This would seem to be a grace on first glance, but when he is always jumping from town to town, readers see that he is unable to find a place to stay. Lennie tends to cause trouble, but not out of evil intent. Instead, he is a simple minded man that doesn't understand the difference between right and wrong. Even though that is true, other people are unable to see that. This makes Lennie a target for misfortune and affects his everyday life. Instead of staying in one place and having a home like he wants, he is forced to the confines of his troubled world.
Even though Lennie does not get everything he wants and cannot seem to please anyone, that doesn't stop him. Lennie's mind is unable to see the problems. Instead, he responds with hopes and dreams to one day reach his goal to have a house and animals. These societal standards are barely shown in the way that he responds, which is part of his problem. His lack of recognition makes it even harder for others to sympathize, which leads to his ultimate downfall. Lennie never had it easy, and never will, which is why the world can seem to be a harsh place.
In Of Mice and Men, Lennie is unable to have a good life. Even though it is not his fault, society does not recognize his mental disability. This shows that the world is a harsh place and doesn't always recognize the misfortune of others.
This is a great way to characterize Lennie because he does suffer within society and the norms. This was very well written! However, I think your thesis could have brought the subject in a little deeper. There wasn't a clear thesis in the introduction, and that will help with the claims you make later on.
ReplyDeleteYou did a good job answering the question with details from the book. However, I think you could do a little more with the organization of the essay. I was a little confused with the what you were trying to answer in each paragraph. I think you could have also elaborated a little bit more on each part, especially describign the society. I didn't feel like I got the whole picture of how the society was so challenging for Lennie. I have read Of Mice and Men, but I don't really remember a whole lot of it, so maybe that would just be for me. Also, I think you briefly touch on how the standards of society and the effects on the character helps Steinbeck send the message he's trying to send through the book. Overall, good response, but maybe a little more elaboration.
ReplyDeleteI like all the ideas you have here but I think you could add some specific details to make this essay better. For example, when you say that Lennie tends to cause trouble but not out of evil intent that is a claim without any warrants. Although a reader might be able to make the connections about what you are saying, adding specific evidence would really help to make it easy on an AP reader. In that instance, you could add a detail about a specific time where Lennie caused trouble but it wasn't out of any evil intention. This would also accomplish the dual purpose of expanding your essay to give it ideal length.
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