Steinbeck, John Parallels Essays - English-language Films

Steinbeck, John: Parallels Common Ground In many of John Steinbeck's works there are themes and elements that parallel his other works. Steinbeck often tackles the result of people's bad fortune and the realization that their dreams have been destroyed. We can see that in his Pulitzer Prize winning The Grapes of Wrath and his critically acclaimed novel Of mice and Men Steinbeck shows us the results of people having their dreams destroyed. Steinbeck shows us that in his work he gives different characters similar goals and aspirations and has them destroyed in similar ways. In both of the above mentioned books key characters have their dreams destroyed. "Steinbeck often created characters possessing lofty goals; lofty goals in a world of despair and corruption. His characters did not have a dream of tangible luxuries, but a dream of corporal well being and refuge with loved ones"(Thomas 238). In Of Mice and Men, Lennie and George travel to California in order to find work. Once they salvage up enough money, Lennie and George plan on being independent and not worrying about the outside world and its enigmas. George stated "Someday we're gonna get all the jack together and were gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an' a cow and some pigs." (Roberts, 187). George's dream ran deeper than a love for farming and independence. The motivation for this dream was not just a product of the poor state of the country and widespread unemployment, but it was a dream that could ensure a happy ending for Lennie. George is anxious to secure his own place so that Lennie can live the type of life where he can be happy and not be hurt by people who do not understand his simple ways. George would run the farm; Lennie would tend the rabbits. This was Lennies dream, to tend the rabbits. He could think of nothing else more enjoyable than tending the rabbits. "Lennies dram is to have all the rabbits that he can take care of, and his attempts to do the right thing are motivated by his fear that George won't let him take care of the rabbits." (Tedlock 243). In The Grapes of Wrath the Joad family also dreams of moving out west. They do this in hopes of escaping the direful situation in Oklahoma. "Gonna buy a car and shove out west where it's easy living." (Steinbeck 57). The Joads like Lennie and George plan on saving up enough money for their own plot of land. Once this task is accomplished they hope to live a self-sufficient life and rely on one another. They believe that once in California they will find life easier and find all they need in surplus. "Jus' let me get out to California where I can pick me an orange when I want it. Or grapes, there's a thing I ain't never had enough of. Gonna get me a whole bunch of grapes off a bush, or whatever, an' I'm gonna squash 'em on my face an' let 'em run off my chin".(Steinbeck 105). There is clearly a parallel between the themes of these two books. As both works have the same basis for the characters dreams. How the dream mwas destroyed George and Lennie never had their dreams come true. When they arrived at the homestead for work; George and Lennie at once felt hostility from the ranch owner's son Curley. Curley was a sinister short-tempered man possessing little physical stature. From Curleys first encounter with Lennie, Curley was looking for an excuse to fight the simple-minded Lennie. "Curley develops a hatred for the bigger man which will be expressed in his desire to mutilate Lennie in the final scene." (Magil 4296) Lennie ended up killing Curleys wife. This was not a malicious act however. It was an accident that had an unfortunate consequence. "Lennies greatest difficulty is remembering. While he never plans to do anything wrong, he simply cannot remember what is wrong and what is not." (Magil 89). That consequence being the death of Curley's wife, and that Curley ordered the men to kill Lennie. The workers assembled and took up arms. George knew that the men were not out to right a wrong, but out to seek vengeance. George decided that he must kill Lennie. George knew that this was the only solution that would spare Lennie the misery that would be inflicted on him by Curley and his men. Like George and Lennie the Joads never saw their dreams materialize. They to were

Free Essays on Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter

Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter Pearl is a great example of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter. In chapter six when Hester is talking about her daughter Pearl, of The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne says, â€Å"in giving her existence a great law had been broken.† Since Pearl was born, she was actually the scarlet letter, because if Pearl had never have been borne, Hester would have never been found guilty of adultery, and would have never had to wear such a burden on her chest. Also, in chapter six. it shows Pearl’s fascination of the scarlet letter and seems to torture her mother by playing with it. Pearl symbolized God’s way of punishing Hester for adultery. On page 61 in The Scarlet Letter, when Pearl is being explained as an innocent child, Hawthorne writes â€Å"a lovely and immortal flower.† Pearl, to Hester, was a flower, at sometimes she was very happy, joyful, and full of life and color but on other days she was â€Å"wilting† which brought Hester much grief. In The Scarlet Letter it shows how if a person sins against God, he/ she will pay for what they did, even through that particular sin. Pearl brought some joy to Hester, but she brought even more grief by being a constant reminder of her sin, by pestering Hester while she wore the letter, and by being a wilting flower, all of this shows how one sin can bring you much grief. Pearl also did many symbolic things that made the Puritans’ ideas of life change. On page 194 Hawthorne writes, â€Å"And she was gentler here than in the grassy-margined streets of the settlement, or in her mother’s cottage. The flowers appeared to know it.† Pearl fit in with natural things, which was considered evil to the Puritans, (Encarta) but Pearl is showing them how the forest is beautiful and natural. According to chuckii.com â€Å"Hester’s child, is symbolic of changing Puritan society.† Pearl changes the puritan society because she is the outcome of the scarlet letter... Free Essays on Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter Free Essays on Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter Pearl is a great example of symbolism in The Scarlet Letter. In chapter six when Hester is talking about her daughter Pearl, of The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne says, â€Å"in giving her existence a great law had been broken.† Since Pearl was born, she was actually the scarlet letter, because if Pearl had never have been borne, Hester would have never been found guilty of adultery, and would have never had to wear such a burden on her chest. Also, in chapter six. it shows Pearl’s fascination of the scarlet letter and seems to torture her mother by playing with it. Pearl symbolized God’s way of punishing Hester for adultery. On page 61 in The Scarlet Letter, when Pearl is being explained as an innocent child, Hawthorne writes â€Å"a lovely and immortal flower.† Pearl, to Hester, was a flower, at sometimes she was very happy, joyful, and full of life and color but on other days she was â€Å"wilting† which brought Hester much grief. In The Scarlet Letter it shows how if a person sins against God, he/ she will pay for what they did, even through that particular sin. Pearl brought some joy to Hester, but she brought even more grief by being a constant reminder of her sin, by pestering Hester while she wore the letter, and by being a wilting flower, all of this shows how one sin can bring you much grief. Pearl also did many symbolic things that made the Puritans’ ideas of life change. On page 194 Hawthorne writes, â€Å"And she was gentler here than in the grassy-margined streets of the settlement, or in her mother’s cottage. The flowers appeared to know it.† Pearl fit in with natural things, which was considered evil to the Puritans, (Encarta) but Pearl is showing them how the forest is beautiful and natural. According to chuckii.com â€Å"Hester’s child, is symbolic of changing Puritan society.† Pearl changes the puritan society because she is the outcome of the scarlet letter...

Essay writting critical thinking A written Critique of a given Article

Essay writting critical thinking A written Critique of a given . 1200 words. Worth 50% of the overall grade - Article Example My findings indicate that most people especially parents, teachers, and religious leaders reject Harry’s works. Their argument is plain and clear. There is no compromise especially when it comes to raising children in the right way in this dynamic world. Harry Porters works have sparked a lot of speculation with many people viewing his works as satanic. However, some people view Harry Porters work as simple magic that replicate in real life. Harry porter writes mostly to children and most of schools and religious groups have banned his books in their institutions. Most people relate his books to fairy tales and Cinderella books, which never received much criticism as his books, are receiving. According to some people, Harry Porter is a Christian though his works are simply illusions considered satanic by some people. Despite the religion attack, most of Harry Porters work avoids religion in its context. Harry Porter argues that his works avoid introducing certain religion to the targeted audience. There has been intense debate about banning the books from US schools though the public view that as intimidation considering that witchcraft is a licensed business in the US. Other countries like United Arab Emirates consider the books il legal in their schools. The books contain positive aspects of good over evil embedded in witchcraft. The books portray the culture of love and courage in witchcraft, which Christian and other religion denounces. However, a critical perception of Harry Porters works indicate that the magic and illusions can be done in real life unlike works such as Lord of Rings which cannot be practiced in real life. Others view works of Harry Porter as stemming from Wicca religion, which usually incorporates witchcraft work. Wicca is gender polarized and the religion worships the moon Goddess and Horned God. It is also important to mention that Wicca contains magic ranging from folk culture magic and low magic, which is greatly, expressed in