Of Mice and Men - May 2016

[Karolina Kat]

I'm around 30% into the book ((view spoiler)[Lennie and George met with new ranch owner, his son and wife, and now Lennie wants a puppy (hide spoiler)]). I must admit that I really enjoy the writing and narration, it just flows.

[Moto]

I think George is smart and a good man

[Gorab]

@Karolina
(view spoiler)[ Lennie's obsession with mice and rabbits...and puppies... hilarious :D (hide spoiler)]

[Karolina Kat]

@Gorab - he's like a very big child in this respect. Very big ;)

[Gorab]

:)
Very big indeed... with a proportionate heart as well.

[[deleted user]]

George is a normal human being. I know he loves Lennie and all. But, if it wasnt for Lennie, he could have lived better life. Maybe settled somewhere and lead a normal life. He kinda stuck with Lennie. Ofcourse, thats his choice and I respect him for that.

[[deleted user]]

Aarti wrote: "George is a normal human being. I know he loves Lennie and all. But, if it wasnt for Lennie, he could have lived better life. Maybe settled somewhere and lead a normal life. He kinda stuck with Len..."

Just.wait.and.watch!! The ending!! Ewww!!

[[deleted user]]

God, u r scaring me. Is it sad ending?

[Gorab]

Thanks for not spoiling it for others... [so far I mean :P]
If you intend to answer Aarti's question, plz plz plz use spoiler tags.

[Gorab]

I'm at end of Chapter 4 (77%) : its gettin' interestin' :)

[Palash]

Gorab wrote: "@Karolina
[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[and girls too :P (hide spoiler)]

[Gorab]

I finished it today...
And I feel like (view spoiler)[ meh :\ (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

@Gorab: what was that?

[Jarvis]

I started... finally :P

[Gorab]

Yay our discussion leader is back... finally :P
How do you like it so far Ginny?

[Karolina Kat]

I have finished the book, it was a very thought out and layered reading. I really want to read more of Steinbeck, so if anyone wants to join me for East of Eden or The Grapes of Wrath later this year - let me know!

[[deleted user]]

Finished. I didnt like ending.

[Palash]

(view spoiler)[Why people hate sad endings? I like them better than happy endings. (hide spoiler)]

[Gorab]

Plz use spoiler tags to discuss endings....

[Karolina Kat]

Palash wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

@Palash:
(view spoiler)[ I don't understand the hate either. This story is set in 1930s in the middle of nowhere in California, of course the perception of the world was different. Plus without such ending the story would not make much sense. The ending ties everything together: the title, the way Lennie treated his pets, the scene were Candy had to shoot his dog... everything (hide spoiler)]

[Anastasia]

I actually liked this book. It was sweet and at some points I did have to look up some words. But both guys seemed to fit and click just right for the story to mesh just right in my opinion.

[[deleted user]]

Palash wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

Me too. I too agree with you.
(view spoiler)[
Everyone was liking it, but then suddenly after the ending they changed their views. It's ridiculous.

Gorab wrote: "I'm at end of Chapter 4 (77%) : its gettin' interestin' :)"

See, Gorab!!

For me, sad endings are more realistic and interesting than fluffy and happy endings. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Karolina wrote: "Palash wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

@Palash:
[spoilers removed]"

Agreed, Karol.

[Palash]

Karolina wrote: "Palash wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

@Palash:
[spoilers removed]"
@Karol
(view spoiler)[Yeah. This book wouldn't be so famous if it had happy ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Palash]

Arpit wrote: "Palash wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

Me too. I too agree with you.
[spoilers removed]
(view spoiler)[And we remember books with sad ending for a long time. On the other hand, books with happy endings are usually easily forgotten. (hide spoiler)]

[Gorab]

Ending
(view spoiler)[ Its not about happy ending or sad ending which changed my view. It somehow wasn't satisfying... But I'm happy to see so many people enjoying it :) (hide spoiler)]

[Karolina Kat]

@Manasa, why?

[Karolina Kat]

@Manasa
@Manasa, I see your point, but please let me present my interpretation:

(view spoiler)[ Lennie is by all means a psychologically retarded person. Nowadays he would be given care, he would be tended to by charities, volounteers and specialists. But the novel is set 1930s rural America - we're talking about people who are prone to killing others in a brutal way due to a different skin colour. These are simple people, who don't like differentness. George takes care of Lennie the best way he can, considering that he - himself has no money, no real home, etc.
All in all I draw a parallel between Lennie who tried to take care of mice/puppies and killed them, and between George who tried his best to take care of Lennie, but had to kill him in the end. It was a choice between George giving Lennie a clean death while he was happy, or a terrible death by the hands of an angry mob. George felt responsible - just like in the scene where Candy didn't shoot his dog but let the others do it. He was angry with himself for that.
I don't say that it's morally right to put Lennie in the position of a pet. But that was the reality of this story. George tried to take the best care of Lennie (just like Lennie thought with mice), but in the end - he failed. (hide spoiler)]

Of course this is just the outline of my interpretation, there is far more to this story - like the motif of American Drean (and who is entitled to have it), or how should we treat and what should we do with those different to us.

[Karolina Kat]

(view spoiler)[ Of course George was conflicted. In the end he deeply cared for Lennie, but he didn't perceive him as fully human, he couldn't have any idea about this like psychological issues considering his upbringing and (lack) of education (hide spoiler)]

[Sundara]

I know I'm super late. Just wanna try.. So starting today :P

[Annette, The Manager]

wohoo !! Better late than never :) welcome aboard !!

[Jarvis]

Finished it finally and didn't like it much >_<

[JB]

Such a great book from a number of perspectives. A great insight into the USA during the '30s. What do people think of the parallels Steinbeck draws between Lennie and dogs? It has always bothered me a little, but perhaps just accurately shows the attitudes of the time..

[Rahul]

Gehna wrote: "Finished it finally and didn't like it much >_<"

Because of the ending??

[[deleted user]]

Rahul wrote: "Gehna wrote: "Finished it finally and didn't like it much >_

Because of the ending??"

I liked it more because of the ending and here are people who are hating it just because of the ending. This world is a strange place *_*

[[deleted user]]

u liked ending, Arpit? WHY?

[Jarvis]

Rahul wrote: "Gehna wrote: "Finished it finally and didn't like it much >_

Because of the ending??"

Not really. Probably because I was expecting a lot. :P
Had 'less' issues with the ending... (Couldn't find a better word :P)

[[deleted user]]

Aarti wrote: "u liked ending, Arpit? WHY?"

'Cause it was more realistic, I guess.

[Palash]

Arpit wrote: "Aarti wrote: "u liked ending, Arpit? WHY?"

'Cause it was more realistic, I guess."

Or maybe bcoz it was more sadistic. :P :P

[[deleted user]]

Palash wrote: "Arpit wrote: "Aarti wrote: "u liked ending, Arpit? WHY?"

'Cause it was more realistic, I guess."

Or maybe bcoz it was more sadistic. :P :P"

(view spoiler)[Ahhh...lol....no, I like happy endings. This was exception. Don't know why. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

(view spoiler)[I dont have issue with his death. He was killed just like dog. that was fine. but he was killed by George. why? Dog wasnt killed by his old man. You cant just kill someone you love. that doesnt make sense. I just wish his death by someone else. (hide spoiler)]

[Palash]

Aarti wrote: "[spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[Well, Lenny's fate was sealed when he accidentally killed Curley's wife. So, George wanted Lenny's last moment to be happy. Surely, George will resent himself for the rest of his life now, but he thought that if Lenny has to be killed, then it should be done by someone who loves Lenny and not by some random stranger.
(hide spoiler)]

[Karolina Kat]

Aarti wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Remember though that old Candy was very upset that he didn't kill his dog himself but asked strangers to do that for him. If you love someone/something you want to make sure even death will be as painless as possible. George wanted to make sure that Lenny won't suffer - and it's rather obvious that if it was Curly who got to Lenny first - he would make him suffer a lot (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

I love this book! I just reread it and noticed how many foreshadowing there was in this book.