4/29/15

Of Mice and Men 

By John Steinbeck Pages #56-76

Prompt: From your brainstorming session, choose at least two conflicts to explore more in depth in this blog. Be sure to include textual evidence and support and also identify the effect that the conflict has had on the plot so far. 

    The first conflict I chose is Lennie and Curley fighting. The type of conflict is a Man vs Man conflict because it was two people fighting each other. The effect it had was very negative. It left Lennie scared and terribly sorry for Curley. It also left Curley with a demolished hand. I know this because ing the text it says, "'I didn't wanta, ' Lennie cried I didn't wanta hurt him.'...'Lennie was jus' scairt, ' he explained." This shows that Lennie was scared and sorry for hurting Curley. This conflict has had some effect on the plot so far. I think it will become even bigger however we are still reading on what is happening on the same night as the fight. 

    The next conflict I chose was Candy's dog dying. This type of conflict is Man vs Self because Candy's guilt for letting a stranger shoot his dog is making him have an inner battle with himself. The effect of this leads him overhearing and wanting to join in on the dream ranch. Also, his feeling of uselessness makes him want to contribute and join in on the dream ranch. I know this because in the text it says, "He said miserably, 'You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn't no good to himself nor nobody else. When they can me here I wisht somebody'd shoot me. But they won't do nothing like that. I won't have no place to go, an' I cant get no more jobs. I'll have thirty dollars more comin', time you guys ready to quit.'"This shows Candy is using his guilt to get in on the dream ranch. This conflict doesn't have that much big of an effect other than already getting more than half of the money they need.

     The final conflict I chose was Crooks being isolated from the other guys. The type of conflict is Man vs society because it is Crooks against the other guys at the ranch. The effect this had left Crooks depressed, lonely, grouchy, and needy. I know this because in the text it says, "' 'Long as you won't get out and leave me alone, you might as well set down.' His tone was a little more friendly...'A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya, ' he cried, 'I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick.' " This shows that crooks is lonely and likes talking to even Lennie because he is so alone and depressed. This doesn't have much effect on the plot, though it might in the future.