Reading Journal #1 Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (Word count: 7) Pages Read: 37 pages (pg. 1-37) (Word count: 6) George, a short-tempered small man, and Lennie, a large, childlike man with an addiction for petting animals, are looking for work near the Salinas River. The next morning, the two men arrive at the ranch and the workers grow suspicious of Lennie. (Word count: 42) In my opinion, the presence of temptation is prominent in the novel. The most prominent example of this theme is the temptation for Lennie to act in an immature and childish fashion. This example can be shown multiple times throughout the beginning of the novel. An example of this can be shown when Lennie says, “If you don’ want me I can go off in the …show more content…
For example, when Slim states, “She slang her pups last night… I drowned four of ‘em right off. She couldn’t feed that many,” (Steinbeck, 35). This quote contributed to my understanding that this novel is set in the time of extreme poverty. I think that the killing off of the dogs, foreshadows that the characters will be forced to fight among themselves. If so, Curley would be a strong competitor due to his authority as the boss’s son. George would also be a strong competitor due to his short-temper. However, if George is with Lennie, he will most likely be put in a weak position because Lennie is not physically and mentally capable to move at the same pace as George. Since George has mentioned that he is tempted to leave Lennie in the very beginning of the novel, I predict that he will be forced to contemplate on whether or not he should leave Lennie or not. (Word count: 381) “Poor bastard” (Steinbeck, 8) I chose this phrase because it shows how George pitys Lennie for who he is. George understands that Lennie lacks the mental capacity and morals to understand and fathom the responsibility and reality of being an adult. This statement from George contrasts with his often rude and impatient attitude towards Lennie. (Word count: 51) “I want you to stay with