Theme Analysis

In last week's blog response, I asked you to select a theme that "hit home" with you the most.  Now that you have set your sights on a theme you would most like work with some more, it is time to test your skills of analysis.  Scan through the last chapter (6) in Of Mice and Men and see if you can pull out a moment from the text that, upon close reading, says something about your selected theme.

For example, imagine that I am a student who was most interested in the theme of "The American Dream."  When scanning chapter 6 I came across this moment in the text:

 "A water snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its periscope head from side to side; and it swam the length of the pool and came to the legs of a motionless heron that stood in the shallows.  A silent head and beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head, and the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically." 

Next, try to analyze how this moment is somehow connected to the theme you have chosen.  It mights sound something like: 

One of the final images of setting that Steinbeck offers us in Of Mice and Men involves a snake being eaten unexpectedly by a taller, silent bird.  The snake "gliding smoothly up the pool" is similar to an American citizen in the 1930s attempting to work their way towards a goal of prosperity.  The snake moves its way around obstacles as it sees them, just like a hardworking citizen has to jump some hurdles in the pursuit of their dream.  However, the unfortunate truth of the matter is that "The American Dream" is beyond the grasp of most people because of unforeseen enemies to their progress.  The tall heron might be a symbol for the more powerful upper or dominant class of society silently waiting in the shadows.  The heron ultimately swallows the snake, and in the same light, many Americans dreams are snatched from American people in ways that they do not suspect.  

     "Slim said, 'You hadda, George. I swear you hadda. Come on with me.'" (Steinbeck 107.) In this scene George had just finished killing Lennie and all the guys came to see. Right now in George's head he might be regretting killing Lennie, because he will no longer be a friend and even bigger will be lonely. In the beginning of the book when Lennie and George came to the ranch they came together. The workers at the ranch said it was rare for two guys to come together and work together. Lennie and George were best friends. They have never been separated and have always been together. This must have been hard for Lennie, because like most people in the 1930s they were all lonely, but George had a friend who they both looked out for each other. In the 1930s even though you had a friend they will leave your side, because in order to survive you had to worry about yourself and only yourself. George gad to to kill Lennie, because he was getting into the way of his life and work. So, to make peace he had to kill Lennie. This left George lonely and just like the guys on the ranch said it was rare to find a person by your side during this crisis the country. Hence, the name the Great Depression, because everybody was lonely and had no one to be with. Loneliness during the Great Depression

Chapter 6 Notes

Summary:

     In today's reading the ending was really dramatic. It started off with Lennie hiding in the brush waiting for George to come. He eventually does come and Lennie starts apologizing for what he did to Curley's wife. George is so nervous that he takes the gun away from Lennie and tells him that everything will be okay and for him to look out onto the lake. George starts telling Lennie of how they are going to live when they have enough money for the house. George shoot Lennie in the back of the neck and all of the guys from the ranch came and took a look. They were are all quite except for Carlson. Then they go back to the ranch and Slim ends up comforting George all the way back home.

Predictions:

     If this novella were to go on I would predict that George would leave the ranch and forget about everything. He will go back to the brush and stay there next to Lennie dead body. For a couple of days he would stay their and cry regretting what he did to Lennie. He will then go back into town and start and whole new life. Working in a better job, having a house, and a girl. He will seem happy, but deep inside he will feel guilty for killing Lennie. But, he will live the life that he always wanted that he said he will have without Lennie.

Questions:

     We are brought back to the Salinas river from the beginning. Lennie is hiding behind the brush just like he was supposed to. Any time soon the boys should be here looking for him. Why did John Steinbeck make a rabbit appear in Lennie's head? Couldn't have his aunt Clara said the same thing the rabbit just confuses the story and sort of makes it sound unbelievable. Why is in the end Carlson making jokes about Slim and George being sad? It was a really traumatic event for a person like George and Carlson is making fun of him. I wonder if Lennie is mentally aware of what he did to Curley's wife? Even though he is mentally handicapped I think killing someone will scare you. He doesn't at all seems to worry what he did. But, he worries more if George is mad and whether he will let him tend the rabbits.

Novel Reaction: Thinking Forward

We have investigated many captivating themes that exist in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men over the last few weeks.  You have explored the desperation and poverty of the American 1930s through pictures and video.  You have witnessed how John Steinbeck used naturalism to portray certain characters as "human beasts" acting on impulsiveness and instinct for self-preservation.  You have examined how the author used literary devices such as sentimentalism, diction, tone, parallelism, and foreshadowing in order to propel these themes.  You have close-read and analyzed the text digging deeper and deeper for evidence of themes such as Power vs. Powerlessness, Individual vs. Community, The American Dream, Euthanasia, Racism, Loneliness, and maybe even a little Sexism.  Pat yourself on the back!  You have been critically thinking about this novella on so many different levels. 

For this week's blog response, you need to make some pretty serious decisions!  We are quickly approaching the time where you will be expected to write your Research Paper based on a topic of interest from Of Mice and Men.  If you have been keeping up with your reading, completing your notes, participating in conversations and activities during class on the various themes, and completing your blog responses this choice will be fairly easy!  If not, you may be in for a struggle....

What topic or theme that we have touched on during this unit has "hit home" with you the most?  Which theme or topic has a personal connection for you?  Which did you find most captivating or interesting to discuss and investigate during this unit?  Select a topic/theme from the list above that peaks your interest, and, in this week's blog response, discuss why you find it fascinating, which moment in the story you think about when reflecting on this theme, and how this theme is relevant in today's world.

     The topic that "hit home" with me the most was the topic of loneliness. This really hit me, because a lot of examples are shown in the text about loneliness. It is common for a novella to have a major topic like loneliness, because it is a common problem. Many people are locked down onto a place and feel lonely, because they have no where to go. This type of loneliness is represented a lot in the book like being lonely, because under law or a person they are locked down into not doing many things or not going many places, because of their gender, color, age, and state of mind. 

     In this novella loneliness is a major topic that is used a lot through the book it is used from characters like Crooks and Curley's wife to characters like Lennie. It is a major theme that a lot of people in this book can relate to. "Why can't I talk to you? I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely." (Steinbeck 86.) A character like Curley's wife is lonely, because of her gender. She is the only woman on this ranch she has nobody to talk to except for the guys on the ranch. But, Curley won't even let her out of the house. Another, lonely person is Crooks being a colored person and not having many right to do many things he is often lonely. "Crooks, THE NEGRO stable buck, had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn." (Steinbeck 66.) Crooks had his own little room  away from the bunkhouse he wasn't allowed to go in there, because of the law he had to have a different sleeping accommodation from the other guys. Since, he was the only colored person on the ranch he had to live in the barn on a bed made out of straw. 

     This topic is relevant in today's world not as much as it was back then, but it is relevant. In today's world many people are lonely like in school for being who they are. If you are not like many others you are excluded out of their little circle and have to be by yourself. Being who you are is not really something you do at school or in public. In order, to fit in to a group you have to gave the same likes as they do in order to fit in. For example, if you don't like video games, but your friend does and likes to play it every hour of the day. You are from now on excluded from his group and don't have something in common. Instead of hanging out with you he will preferably go hang out with someone who does like video games. And, will play with him when ever he wants. This will make you lonely not being able to hangout with your friend, because he has another friend who pursues the same interest he does. Loneliness exists today as it had in the past even though the type of loneliness has changed like being colored, old, or of gender. It is till around in a different way like for having different interests and being excluded out of a group.Go here and you will learn more about loneliness.

Chapter 5 Notes

Summary:

     In this chapter Curley's wife and Lennie got to know about each other a little more. Lennie was in the barn just looking at the puppy he killed. He killed the puppy, because the puppy looked like he was going to bite him, so Lennie slapped him and the puppy died. Curley's wife walks in just as he is about to hide the pup. She acts like she doesn't know what just happened and asks Lennie how he is doing? He doesn't want to talk to her, because George told him not to. She gets mad that Lennie won't talk to her, because George said so. She goes on rampaging how Lennie thinks she will mess things up and get him in trouble. Lennie then brings up how George, Candy, and he are going to have a house all to them. She ignores him and starts talking about how she regrets marrying Curley. How she should've joined the circus and how she could've gotten into the movies. As Lennie is rambling on about rabbits she asks him why he is so obsessed with rabbits. He reply's, because they are so soft like velvet and mice. She says that her hair is soft and that he should touch it. He does and he grabs on harder and she starts to freak out. He grabs on harder and she starts to scream and he covers her mouth, because he doesn't want people to hear her and for George to get him in trouble and not let him tend to the rabbits. Lennie ends up killing her and escapes to the brush. Candy ends up finding her and he shows George. George goes back out as though he did not do anything and Candy goes and calls all the other guys. They go to get their guns to go hunt down Lennie and shot him in the gut.

Predictions:

     In the next chapter I think that Curley will find Lennie and kill him and George will be an accomplice, because he will tell where Lennie is hiding. "You George! You stick with us so we don't think you had notin' to do with this." (Steinbeck 98.) When Curley said this I automatically thought that they will think that George had something to do with this. Curley will get mad that he can't find Lennie and look at George asking him if he knows where Lennie is. Curley will get it out of him he will squeeze it out of him. They will force him to tell them where Lennie is and they will find Lennie and kill him just like Curley said. 

Connections:

     A connection that I can make towards the book is when Curley's wife is talking to Lennie and he is not paying attention to her, but thinking about rabbits. "She demanded, 'You listenin?' 'Me? Sure." (Steinbeck 88.) I can connect to Curley's wife on how Lennie is barely listening to her. When I talk to my friend about something that happened to me she just zones out and is in her own fairy tale land. She is thinking of something that I don't know about and just ignore me. I ask her if she is paying attention to me and she just keeps on starring out there not listening to a word I say.

     

A Portrait of Racism

Chapter 4 in Of Mice and Man, paints a very realistic portrait of racism in the 1930s.  Discuss at least two ways in which racism is explored in this chapter.  Include quotes and your own analysis of key moments in this chapter that clearly demonstrate the racism that existed in the American 1930s.  What do readers understand about racism as a result of reading this chapter?

     Racism is expressed a lot in this chapter as we really get to know Crooks. Crooks is one of the workers who works as a stable buck on the ranch. He is a colored person who by many isn't paid much attention to. Through this character racism is expressed a lot through this chapter. We find out in the beginning that Crooks lives by himself in the harness room. "Crooks, the Negro stable buck, had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that leaned off the wall of the barn." (Steinbeck 66.) Crooks is forced to live by himself, because of segregation. He had to live by in a separate room for colored people, because he wasn't allowed to sleep in the bunkhouse with the rest of the guys. Due to the segregation laws he was forced to live in a separate room with colored people. 

     Another form racism is expressed in the chapter is through the way people talk toward Crooks. For example "Well, you know your place then, nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny." (Steinbeck 81.) The way Curley's wife talks to Crooks is crude threatening she has the power to kill Crooks. "He said, 'Yes ma'am,' and his voice was toneless." (Steinbeck 81.) Crooks couldn't say anything back, because he was colored and as a colored person he could easily get hung without anyone caring. He couldn't say anything, because he had still not had the freedom to talk back to her. The white race was more superior then the colored race they could force them to do anything. Colored people like Crooks had no power to talk back to her or day anything to her. First, because she was white and had automatically more power. Second, of all because she was married to the bosses son.

     Through this chapter I understood more about racism. I found out that colored people didn't have much power as I thought. They couldn't talk back to a white person so easily as they can now without getting themselves hung. They would have to take the insult not being able to talk back fearing they could go to jail or worse be killed. Almost, everywhere were whites and colored separated like on buses, restaurants, and many more places. Check out more stuff about racism in the 1930s here!

Chapter 4 Notes

Summary:
     In chapter 4 the all the boys were away at a bar except for Lennie, Candy, and Crooks. They all choose to stay on the ranch. Crooks was in his bedroom minding his own businesses. Until Lennie comes in standing at the door looking at Crooks. When Crooks notices he says to Lennie what are you doing here? A white man doesn't come into a Negro’s bedroom. He starts exclaiming how Lennie should be at the bunkhouse not here, because they can get into serious trouble. Lennie ignores him and says that he came here, because he saw a light turned on and wanted to see what was here. He was on his way to pet the pups and stumbled on over here. Crooks still doesn't like this, but let's Lennie in. Crooks then starts asking Lennie a bunch coalfield questions like why does he follow around George? What would Lennie do if George disappeared? And does he understand everything George says. Lennie gets mad thinking that George is dead, because Crooks is asking all these question. Lennie cools off and starts talking about the rabbits that George. Then Candy comes in and he too starts talking about the rabbits and what they can do. Then Curley's wife comes in and asks if they seen Curley. They don't tell her anything about what happened earlier that day, but she seemed to know. Curley's wife then starts making fun of these guys. Saying how she has nothing better to do then to hang out with a Negro, a dum-dum, and an o'l sheep. The guys then tell her to leave, because they don't want any trouble. She then hears the rest of the gang coming and she quickly leaves hoping no one will see her. George comes into the barn looking for them and they quickly scurry off to the bunk house.

Connections: 

     I can relate to Lennie being alone on the ranch not having anything to do, because he was left behind. So, he went over to Crooks room and started to get to know him and talk to him. In the 7th grade I was in Language arts class and the teachers had us pair up with a partner. I noticed that this girl was just sitting there having no partner. She was a quite girl didn't seem to have that many friends in this class. So, I approached her and asked her to be my partner. She agreed and we both started to work together. After a while, we broke the ice and she was funny and kind of talkative. From there in she would be my friend and I would always partner up with her and talk with her and we would always have good laughs.

Predictions:

     I predict that in the next chapter Crooks will get along better with Lennie and Candy. They will become good friends that Crooks will ask them if when they have this house that if he can move in with them. “You guys is just kiddin' yourself. You'll talk about it a lot, but you won't get no land." (Steinbeck 75.) I believe that Crooks thinks it is impossible for a men like them from the lower working class to own land. But, he will soon get sweet talked into wanting to help Lennie, George, and Candy into getting that land. He will dream so high about owning a farm that he too will want to get a piece of land and be free from being segregated in this ranch.

Investigating the Themes in Of Mice and Men

Choose one of the following questions that interests you most to respond to in this week’s blog post:

1.) What different forms of power exist in Of Mice and Men?  What kind of power does Lennie have?  What kind of power does George have?  What kinds of power or powerlessness do other characters possess?

2.)  What kind of relationship do George and Lennie have?  Is their relationship a friendship?  How does this relationship express Steinbeck’s position on the individual versus the community?

3.)  Is the American Dream a real possibility in the story?  If yes, what characters, symbols, events, or other details from the story confirm that the American Dream is within reach?  If not, what characters, symbols, events, or other details from the story represent the American Dream as out of reach?  

     George and Lennie have a really good and close relationship. Even though the both of them have been through thick and thin they have made it all the way to this ranch to find a job. Although, they have said some bad stuff to the other or caused something the bad that made them go into hiding. They both have each other's back. "All the time somethin' like that-all the time. I wisht I could put you in a cage with about a million mice an' let you have fun." (Steinbeck 11.) Even when George got mad at Lennie, for asking him for ketchup. Also, for ruining his life if he wasn't friends with Lennie he would just leave him. They are true friends, because they have trust in each other and are always together protecting the other's back.

     This relationship that Lennie and George have is a friendship. In the Merriam Webster dictionary a friend is defined as "One attached to the other by affection or esteem." I say that Lennie and George are true friends they are attached to each other by affection. If not then George would have already ditched Lennie for a better life he says he can have. But, he prefers to stay with Lennie not only, because of Lennie's aunt telling him to take care of Lennie. But, he really likes Lennie and would never ditch him, because they have been through a lot together.

     This relationship that both Lennie and George have between each other expresses Steinbeck's position on the individual versus the community. The individual versus the community is not something that most do. Not many accomplish doing something alone, but more people accomplish doing something together. Without one another they probably might not have the same life. Lennie always getting picked on for having a mental condition. Without George Lennie would be lost and not have anywhere to go when his aunt passed away. Also, without George having Lennie George would probably be sad all the time. He would not feel as smart and demanding if it weren't for Lennie. In the 1930s many were by themselves and not being able to accomplish anything, but in a group they will make a bigger footprint in history.

Chapter 3 Notes

Predictions: After, reading this chapter I had many ideas as to what will be in the next chapter. I predict that in the next chapter Curley will now be afraid of Lennie. At first, in the book he wasn't afraid of Lennie, but intimidated by Lennie’s height how Lennie was all tall and him all short. After, him witnessing what Lennie has the capability to do I don’t think Curley wants to pick any fight with Lennie. “Curley’s fist was swinging when Lennie reached for it. The next minute Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fists was lost in Lennie’s big hand.” (Steinbeck 63.) At first Curley was the one beating Lennie up, but then Lennie was the one beating Curley up and Curley was so scared that he didn't know what to do and had to be sent to town to meet a doctor. “Curley was white shrunken by now, and his struggling had become weak.” (Steinbeck 64.) Judging by the way Curley reacted to Lennie beating him up and his hand probably being broken it looks like he won’t be messing with Lennie for a while.

Connection: Just like Candy I can relate to how his dog was killed and him probably feeling really sad inside. I remember not a long time ago I had this iPod nano that I had a bunch of music downloaded from iTunes that I would sometimes listen to. I would manly use it to listen to music at the gym or just to entertain myself when I had nothing better to do. One day I noticed that my brother had it and I said “What are you doing with my iPod?” he said “Mom gave it to me.” I was so mad that I went to my mother and started rampaging as to why he took my iPod. She said “Because you barley use it.” The statement was somewhat true so I just to my room and laid there not wanting anything, but my iPod not trying to show how much I really cared for it.

Question: While reading this chapter a question popped into my head. Why does Curley hate tall guys? I know he is small and might be intimidated by them, but that is no reason to hate a person. Curley must have had a traumatized experience with a tall guy in his past, because hating a guy like Lennie is not something one does. Lennie is nice, caring, and won’t hurt a fly unless otherwise told so. Lennie can’t even think for himself he does what one tells him to do. He is not a person you right off the bat hate him. Curley can’t just hate a guy like Lennie over his height. If he does he must have had a traumatized experience when younger to hate a guy like Lennie.

Chapter 2 Notes

Questions:

Page 20: George and Lennie are talking to this guy who was peering in with a conversation they were having with the boss. George catches the man ease dropping on their conversation, and explains how he wasn't ease dropping. This guy is explaining how the boss isn't so bad and how they spent last Christmas.

What do they mean by "If he could use his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the nigger." (Steinbeck 20?) Why would Smitty kill the nigger? Did the nigger do anything bad to Smitty? Why can't he use his feet is he handicapped?

Predictions:

I predict that George and Lennie are going to get into a lot of trouble at this place. They are going to get into a lot of trouble with Curley. Somehow, George will get into a fight with Curly about Lennie, because straight off the bat Curley does not like Lennie. "By Christ, he's gotta talk when he's spoken to. What the hell are you gettin' into it for?" (Steinbeck 25.) Lennie is going to get into trouble with Curly and George will defend him and somehow get into their mess. Lennie will also get into trouble with Curly for falling in love with his wife. "Lennie's eyes moved down over her body, and though she did not seem to be looking at Lennie she bridled a little." (Steinbeck 31.) For, starring at his wife and probably later on in the story fiddling with her Lennie will get into deep trouble with Curley.

Summarize:

In today's reading Lennie and George went to the ranch to get started on their new jobs. They arrived late to their job and were shown to their sleeping headquarters. They then later met their new boss and were told what to do as a job after dinner. Later, they met the swamper with his old dog he started telling them about how nice the boss is and that it is great working here. Suddenly, the boss's son Curley comes and automatically dislikes Lennie, because Lennie is taller than Curley and Curley does not like tall guys, because he himself is not so tall. George and Curley get into a small argument for Lennie not responding to a question Curley asked him. They then meet Curley's wife who to Lennie is "purty." They then meet Slim he is not like the others he is nice and friendly not trying to find a fight like Curley. It is time for dinner and they are sort of happy, but not wanting to be here. They both wash up for dinner and the chapter later ends.


    

    
    

Naturalism as a Mirror of the 1930s

www.olystudio.com

Literature is often a reflection of the time period in which it was written or, in the case of historical fiction, of the time period it is focused on. Authors will often find sneaky little ways to demonstrate the dominant characteristics of the time period by blending in details, that, at a closer glance, reveal these hidden themes.

In class, we viewed several videos (in the LitByFleming blog video bar) that gave us a look at some major events and common themes or characteristics of the 1930s. John Steinbeck certainly considered these elements when writing Of Mice and Men. In fact, it might be said, his writing style intentionally made use of naturalism in order to capture and expose some of the attitudes and characteristics of the American 1930s.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Let's see if you can make the connection! Think about some of the naturalistic elements we identified in class (Chapter 1). What aspects or characteristics of the 1930s are being demonstrated to us at those moments in the text? What do you believe John Steinbeck was trying to show us or expose about the way people, life, or society was during this time in American history? 

 

     Throughout the text John Steinbeck demonstrates the many aspects of the 1930s. He shows the 1930s as though kind of beast like through the characters Lennie and George. Through their actions the author captures how the 1930s weren't a time were many worried to be proper, but many acted beast like. "His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse" (3 Steinbeck.) In this quote when Lennie sees the water he rapidly rushes to the green scummy lake to drink. He probably did this, because he was desperate for basic supplies like water which he didn't have. He was like a beast and didn't know right from wrong and drank from the lake, because he was thirsty. Like a person today he wasn't proper, because of instinct and being thirsty acted like a beast and drank at the nearest water resource.
     He probably did this, because he was desperate for basic supplies like water which he didn't have. This quote says that many people in the 1930s were desperate for basic need like shelter, water, and etc. They were desperate and would do anything for these basic needs. Like in the picture above these people might be waiting in a food line, because they don't have enough money to buy food, and therefore were waiting in food line to get free food. Since, World War 1 was just happening the United Sates had to ration all their supplies and food to send to the troops. There wasn't much of anything and not many jobs were available. Many people had to live on the streets like the people in the picture.
This website I found talks about life during the great depresion.Check it out here!

    

Chapter 1 Notes

Summary:

     Throughout chapter I discovered the main characters Lennie and George. Lennie is a big, strong, and not very smart guy. George is a thin, small, and smart guy. They both are running away from a town, because Lennie touched a girl's dress and she freaked out about it. They ran away and are planning to find new jobs at a town named Weed. In the mean while they are hiding in a forest and George is dealing with Lennie, because he won't listen to George. George is constantly telling him to not keep mice as pets, but Lennie does it anyway and ends up killing them. They sit along the fire heating up their beans and George gets mad that Lennie wants ketchup for his beans, but they don't have ketchup and Lennie won't listen so they get into a huge argument. Lennie then says he should just leave and never come back and they both forgive each other.

Predictions:

     I predict that Lennie that will mess up the whole job interview. The manager will probably ask Lennie a bunch of question and he will get real nervous and spill the beans on why he got fired from his last job. This will lead into George getting the job and Lennie not and George persuading the manager to hire Lennie and Lennie will get the job. When he gets the job Lennie will probably mess up sometimes and George will have to fix it.

Reflect:

    I really like this book so far it is descriptive and really captures the characters. When reading I can feel like I know the characters by the way they talk and act. Steinbeck really captures Lennie and George. A thing that I would change though is the beginning it is very descriptive and kind of confuses the reader. I would not so much describe the scene on the first page, because it confuses the reader.


    

Picturing the History Behing of Mice and Men

     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. 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!

     This picture relates and differs from the article written above. The article describes two men walking on the road "dressed in denim trousers and in denim coats with brass buttons." Even though the man in the picture is not wearing the exact same clothing as the other whe is wearing something similar he has on: jeans, a jacket, work shoes, and a hat. They are both walking out on the streets probably looking for a job to support themselves and/or family. These men both differ, because the one in this picture is lonely while the other one has a friend accompanying him on his journey to find a job. Steinbeck describes these men as one being small, thin, and having strong hands. While his friend is someone tall and wide shouldrered. In this picture the man looks more like the first guy being small and thin.
     Life in the 1930's must have been hard for the average person to live. It seems as though there wasn't a high job rate for those in need of a job. Many like these guys must have been wandering the streets looking for someone to higher them. Since there weren't that many jobs many people must have been starving on the streets, because they did not have a job. Since, people needed to be feed women would have multiple children to support there family money, food, and clothing wise. Life in the 1930's must have been hard for many to people to live.
     I found this awsome website that gives you many pictures throughout the Great Depresion Check it out here!