Extra Credit Question #3

Again, you can email it to me or bring it in to class on Tuesday/Wednesday (10/21,22)

What's the deal with the water snake that appears in chapter 1 (Steinbeck 7) and again in Chapter 6 (99)? Why would Steinbeck chose this imagery to begin and end the book? What is the significance of the heron that comes down and snatches the little snake at the end of the book? What (or who) do you think these animals could represent, symbolically? Read the passages and give it a shot. 5 points for a well-reasoned answer.

Thursday/Monday 10/16,20

Alright, so we didn't have the quiz on Tuesday/Wednesday, but that doesn't mean that there won't be a quiz in store later this week.

Chapter 4 and the study guide for that chapter will be your homework for Thursday/Monday.

Let's try another shot at an extra credit opportunity (since there was such a paltry response for the last one). And guess what? To make things convenient, this time you can email your response to me. How's that for technological advancement? My email address is on the right side of the page. Please include your real name and class period; pUnkSk8trdood at gmail.com means nothing to me.

NOTE: Period SIX folks, if you are reading this before Wednesday, you can still do the Extra Credit question from the previous post. Periods FIVE and SEVEN, you've lost your opportunity for that one; try the new one below.

The question (5 pts. possible):

Please explain how the following quote from our good friend Crooks reflects one of the main themes of the book, 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 . . . Just like heaven. Ever'body wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land." (Steinbeck 74).

How does Crooks feel about the reality of the American Dream? Where do you think his attitude about this comes from? Do you think he is being realistic, considering his situation and perspective? What about George and Lennie and their dream? Do you think Crooks is right about George's dream? Use evidence from the text to support your answer. Again, your response can be by email, or you can bring it in, written, to class.

Thursday 10/9 and Monday 10/14

Lookout, ranch hands! There may be a quiz a' blowin' in on Tuesday (A) and Wednesday (B). If the boss decides to harvest your knowledge, he might ask ya to know chapters one through three. Ya also might want to be familiar with the vocabulary we've been studyin'.

Thursday/Monday:
Discuss chapters 1-2 study guides.
Chapter three and the study guide for said chapter will be your homework.

Quote to ponder:

• "I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog." --Candy (Steinbeck 61 [in the hardcover edition])
  
• Why does Candy feel this way? Why might this notion be significant for other characters in the novel? Hint: consider the possibility that Candy's dog might be symbolic.
  
• 5 pts. Extra Credit for anyone who comes in on Tuesday/Wednesday with a well-thought-out, written answer.
  

Friday/Monday October 3 and 6

• There will be a short quiz over the background info that we went over last class.
• Your sensory writing homework is due. Go through the first two pages of Of Mice and Men and pick out examples of sensory language. Categorize the language into the five senses.
• We'll be reading chapter 1 in class.
• Have a safe weekend.
• Stay warm and dry.
• Lennie likes ketchup on his beans.