My Dialectical Reading Journal

Of Mice and Men

Pg New Key points Comments & Questions Quotes
vocab

1 Sycamore Descriptio I wonder where is Soledad? I want to see a beautiful “...sycamore with mottled,
Junctures n of the view like this. white, recumbent limbs…”
Recum landscape
bent This is describing how the outline of the up-and-downs of “On one side of the river the
Mottled the hills connect to the stable but rocky Gabilan golden foothill slopes curve
Split - mountains. up to the Gabilan mountains.”
wedge
Ranches This is implying that the leaves were so hot from burning “The leaves lie deep and so
in the heat that even a lizard starts to run after stepping crip that a lizard makes a
on them. great skittering”

The movement of 5 animals: lizards, rabbits, racoons, “...the damp flats are covered
dogs, deer are described in this page. with the night tracks of
‘coons”

2 Stilted Starting This implies that many people have come to sit on it and “...the limb is worn smooth by
the that over time it has become smooth. men who have sat on it.”
introduct
- ion of The author used personification for the shade that “ The shade climbed up the
settings gradually changes depending on the sun’s position hills toward the top.”
and
characters ‘Labored up’ was used so that the readers would “A stilted heron labored up
understand it took the heron a long time to lift itself into into the air and pounded
the air and possibly search for prey. down the river.”

Introduction of two characters “Two men emerged from the

path and …”
It gives a hint of a follower and subordinate relationship.
“...even in the open, one
This shows that the first man is the intellectual and agile stayed behind the other.”
type who is cautious in things he does.
“The first man was small and
The author described him in simple terms, however, it quick, with restless eyes”
was very easy to imagine his broad shoulders and
appearance. “Behind him walked his
opposite, a huge man, with
The author uses metaphor to compare the man with a wide, sloping shoulders”
bear. It is even more believable because of his size and
his behavior described. “...dragging his feet a little,
the way a bear drags his
Why are his arms loose? Is he tired from walking too paws.”
hard? Or is he just lazy?
“His arms hung loosely.”

3 Brindle Lennie Again, the author describes the big guy with an animal “Drank with long gulps,
Scummy and using a simile. He behaves in a way humans do not. snorting into the water like a
Dabbled George horse.”
Does that mean he is not that bright? I mean a normal
human wouldn’t drink out of the gutter. “You’d drink out of a gutter if
you were thirsty.”

4 Morosely Lennie The author is showing Lennie although he may not be “Lennie who had been
Red with has minor bright is quite the observer. watching imitated George
sun glare mental exactly.”
issues The author gives the clue that ends the previous
mystery. It means despite his huge build, Lennie has a “Lennie looked timidly…”
 timid personality. People who are timid tend to bow to
people who bullied them or are stronger than them (even
if they are stronger).

Lennie is quite forgetful, but that’s not his fault. He

should be the one angry, however, he’s still timid. ““I forgot,” Lennie said softly. ”

Lennie has a strange obsession with rabbits because he

feels comfortable and good while petting their fur. “I remember about rabbits.”

5 The two Lennie is kind and blames himself for something that he “He looked down at the
are like an forgot. Most people would avoid taking responsibility. It ground in despair.”
overprotec shows that George was well prepared for situations like
t- ive these. It means either this situation is frequent or “Think I’d let you carry your
mother George is just cautious. own work card?”
(G) taking
care of The first time the author said clearly Lennie was clever “Ain’t a thing in my pocket,”
her son which means it must be something important to even Lennie said cleverly.
(L). rack up his brains.

Why a mouse? Besides a dead one? That’s creepy!? If

you want fur, rabbits and hamsters are way cuter!? “It’s only a mouse, George.”

6 George But a dead mouse will eventually rot and so will the furs “I could pet it with my thumb
command that were comfortable to hold? Why? while we walked along,”
s over
Lennie It shows that Lennie is an incredible worker with strength
with because during the Industrial Times, the most common “You jus’ stand there and
simple hires were those who had strength. don’t say nothing.”
instruction
s But if he stutters or fails to answer normal questions with
his timid personality, the outsiders will probably think “If he hears ya work before
Lennie has a mental problem and refuse to hire him he hears ya talk, we’re set.”
because of a disease.

7 There was The employees were looking all over them, while the pair “They ran us outta Weed,” he
a hint to ran away unscathed. exploded triumphantly.
how the
previous Then why do you still take him along if he’s a burden not “I could get along so easy
job went useful for you? In hard times, even humans find it hard to and so nice if I didn't have
keep mutual trust in companions. you on my tail. I could live so
easy…”

9- Floodwate A hint of The author used “stroking” to imply that Lennie did it as “I wasn’t doin’ nothing bad
10 r childhood gently as he could, then how can you just crush a live with it, George. Jus’ strokin’
And their mouse into a dead one? it.”
night
before It means Lennie finds it hard to control his strength if his “You’ve broke it pettin’ it.”
working emotions are unstable such as a rise in happiness or a “they bit my fingers and I
rise in negative emotions. pinched their heads a little…”

It means Lennie had this habit since childhood and “An’ she stopped given’ ‘em
George was used to it. to ya. You always killed ‘em.”

Firewood and heat was necessary for warmth outside if “The flame cracked up
they had no shelter. among the twigs.”

11 George It was obvious that his stress kept rising when “An’ whatta I got,” George
loses his complaining to Lennie about all his problems. went on furiously.
temper
and got He was taking care of the troubles Lennie gave him but “You do bad things and I got
reminded he wasn’t happy about it. to get you out.”
 of how the
reason He likes petting soft or fluffy things. “Jus’ wanted to pet it like it
they had The girl was probably so scared that she yelled out. I was a mouse…”
to run mean a huge guy like him was clinging onto her skirt all
away of a sudden. Who wouldn’t be surprised? “...and you hold like it was a
mouse”
Although Lennie had pure intentions, the girl was so
scared that she yelled out. It must have been like sexual “She yells and we have to
harrassment in the eyes of others because they were hide in an irrigation ditch…”
chasing the two so intently like criminals.
“All the time somethin’ like
It proves he couldn’t stay angry at Lennie for long. that”
His anger left him.

12 Lennie Lennie was starting to retort to George for once. His “Well, I could. I could go off in
- can sweet coaxing has stopped and his barrage of threats of the hills there.”
13 sometime going away has started.
s be bright “If you don’ want me I can go
at times. It actually worked because George needed Lennie which off in the hills an’ find a cave.”
Lennie actually knew but never made use of the fact until
now. It shows that Lennie had a decent amount of “...’I want you to stay with
intelligence, but never did either because he was too me.”
lazy or because he never minded it. “Lennie avoided the bait.
“Lennie spoke craftily…”
Only when rabbits are at stake, he starts to disobey
George. “About the rabbits…”

17 Whitewas New The author used short sentences, imagery and “The bunkhouse was a long,
hed setting - descriptive writing for the readers to easily visualize the rectangular building. Inside,
bunkhous bunkhouse. Each sentence is also related to the next. the walls were whitewashed
e He/she makes it interesting and fast-paced. … occupant of the bunk.”
descriptio
n The author wrote examples of daily necessities for the “And these shelves were
workers at the ranch. For example their entertainment, loaded with little articles, …
razors for shaving off mustaches. Medicines when there were medicines on the
getting injured during work. shelves and little vials, … ”

The author went back from describing the workers’ usual “Near one wall there was a
belongings they brought to the ranch. The readers’ black cast-iron stove, its
attention was brought back to the bunkhouse’s empty stovepipe going straight …
spots that hadn’t been described. players to sit on.”

18 Stoop Introduct It must mean someone is entering from the outside. I “The wooden latch raised. A
- shoulder- - ion of inferred this because the author hasn’t introduced any tall, stoop-shouldered old
19 ed new characters inside the bunkhouse. man came in. He was
Push- characters dressed in blue jeans and he
broom Maybe he is left-handed? (Q) carried big push-broom in his
Burlap left hand.”
Gray - The boss seems like he’s a bad-tempered person
backs because the author used ‘sore’ which meant upset and ““He was sore as hell when
Swamper angry. you wasn’t here to go out this
morning.”
Stable The author left a foreshadowing hint in the old man’s
buck - right arm which was amputated and replaced with a He pointed with his right arms
African wooden, nonfunctional arm. and out of the sleeve came a
American round stick-like wrist.
The author described the previous owner of the bunk as
a generous but neat freak. Maybe he is misophobic? If “.. last guy that had this bed
not, there’s no need for the author to hyperbole about his was a blacksmith - hell of a
actions as a proper person who wants to live neatly. nice fella and as clean a guy
as you want to meet… ate.”
20 Stocky The boss If he gives an African-American hell, isn’t that racial “The boss gives him hell
Flannel is a good discrimination? Why would he be praised by his other when he’s mad, but he’s
employer employees for being nice? pretty nice.”
overall
The author made the boss, a clever man who knew to “Tell ya what - know what he
implement a carrot-and-stick method to make workers done Christmas? ‘Brang a
work hard for rewards. gallon of whisky…year.’”

The author was introducing a new character from the “A little stocky man stood in
perspective of the workers. His clothing was what they the open doorway. He wore
saw from bottom to top. His behavior of putting his blue jean trousers, a flannel
thumbs (hands) on his belt seems so condescending that shirt, a black, unbuttoned
none of the other workers would be able to pull it off if he vest and a black coat. His
weren’t the boss. The authors also hinted at the fact that thumbs were stuck in his belt
he was one of the workers at the ranch. on each side of a square
steel buckle. On his head
was a soiled brown Stetson
hat … man.”

22 Cesspool Boss is The author once again reminded the readers that Lennie “He can rassle grain … try.”
- acts like starting to was exceptionally strong.
a sewer be “Don’t you let him answer?
during the suspicious The boss is quite sharp in noticing that Lennie is afraid of What you trying to put over?”
past times of George and has distrust or suspicion towards the two,
something especially because it’s such a chaotic period.

24 Old man The old man is quick-witted although he seems to be “Hear nothing you guys was
starts to timid. He’s like Lennie in characteristics, at the same sayin’. I ain’t interested in
converse time unlike Lennie in terms of physical build. He denied nothing you was sayin’. A guy
with the without hesitation what George was accusing of. At least on a ranch don’t never listen
two the author wrote it that way. nor he don’t ast no
questions.”

26 Conversat Curley seems to have a discrimination against big guys “Curley’s like a lot of little
- ion about like other small guys who get picked on by bigger builds. guys. He hates big guys.”
27 Curley
George believes in Lennie’s strength as he's been “This Curley punk is gonna
beside Lennie for a long time and observed him during get hurt if he messes around
jobs before he finds him useful. with Lennie.”

The author made a sentence fit into his sly personality. I

mean at the start he was uneasy when facing George “The old man was reassured.
but after gaining a possible threat to work against him he He had drawn a derogatory
was reassured. statement from George.”

28 Tart - a Purty, Give someone the eye means to look at someone with “I’ve seen her give Slim the
woman Curley’s sexual interest. From this idiom, I can infer that Purty is eye…An’ I seen her give
that is wife at least a flirty woman as she doesn’t even have an eye Carlson the eye.”
sexually rumors on her husband and only eyes man her taste. She
provo - probably Curley for the money and his inheritance.
cative
True. Although I agree with the statement, the author “I think Curley’s married a
hadn’t mentioned how she dressed but only her behavior tart.”
of flirting with men.

32 Purty - Purty’s This is the first time George sounds so angry when he is “Don’t you even take a look at
Pretty first swearing. Although he swore all the time near George, it that bitch. I don’t care what
appear sounded just like a light-hearted joke. But this time, it she says and what she does.
- ance in was evident he was giving a clear warning to Lennie. I seen ‘em poison… be.”
front of
George Contrary to George’s expectations, Lennie seems to be Lennie tried to disengage his
enthralled with her because he tried not to listen to him ear. “I never done nothing,
 for the first time ever. George.”

33 Hatchet - Slim’s The author used hyperbole on his actions such as “ten, “He was a jerkline skinner,
- discard introduct - sixteen, even twenty mules with a single line to the the prince of the ranch,
34 something ion leaders' ', or killing a fly on the wheeler’s butt with a capable of driving ten,
after bullwhip without touching the mule. Although it meant sixteen, even twenty
facing a that he was experienced, the author makes it sound like mules…His authority was so
setback he was some king of the ranch. His achievements itself great that his word was taken
are unbelievable. And it continues… on any subject, be it politics
or love.”
The author used irony. He made Slim, the skinner,
sound like Buddha who had reached his enlightenment “His ear heard more than was
of the mortal world and emotions. His hands were said to him and his low
compared to that of a graceful dancer. speech …dancer.”

Unlike his previous image the author provided for him,

once he opened his mouth, he was an ordinary human “It’s brighter’n a bitch
who found a certain someone an annoyance. outside,” he said gently.

36 Old dog The dog was described to have been kept by Candy for “That dog of Candy’s is so
kept by a long time. Therefore, his teeth are definitely the work of God damn old he can’t hardly
Candy in his age. The author is also giving an additional hint when walk. Stinks like hell, too. I
danger writing that the dog was near blind. can smell that dog from a
mile away… chew anything
When he casually said the word shot, it only meant the else.”
shooting of animals to reduce livestock to be fed was
frequently done in the farm. Just like when Slim drowned “get Candy to shoot his old
the pups when they couldn’t afford to feed them. dog and give him one of the
pups to raise up?”

38 Lennie There were many workers employed therefore the “The open door came the
- gets bunkhouse was described to be filled with noise and thuds and occasional clangs
40 talked enthusiasm of the participants of the game while the of a horseshoe game, and
about and bystanders were cheering them on. now … derision.”
a bit of the
two’s past George defends Lennie when they were talking about “He’s dumb as hell, but he
gets him although he often repeated that Lennie was forgetful ain’t crazy. An’ I ain’t so bright
revealed and not that bright. It only means that he was aware of …and not getting what comes
their positions and relationship of using the other. up outta the ground.”

George, unlike the current him, sounded mischievous “Used to play joke on ‘im
and playful when he was a little boy. From the previous ‘cause he was too dumb to
chapter, he also seems like one of the boys he spoke of take care of ‘imself.”
who hate big guys. From his pranks, he sympathized
sincerely with Lennie for being dumb and became “If I tol’ him to walk over a
something like a companion to him. cliff, over he’d go.”

41 George Although he told Lennie to keep shut and gave him “He saw this girl in a red
goes several warnings, he himself was forgetful of what he dress. Dumb bastard like he
talking said. George let out the secret that may lead to future is, he want to touch
about the rumors probably due to the friendly atmosphere and the ever’thing he like. Just an’ the
secret gentle person in front of him. girl lets out … to do.”

44 Old man The author has used repetitions in the old man’s speech. “I been around him so much I
Candy is It shows time and again the old man’s pride in his old never notice how he stinks.”
used to dog because he was bragging about it to anyone instead
being of shooting it dead to reduce the livestock to feed. His “I had him so long. Had him
beside the memories spent with the old dog was preventing him since he was a pup. I herded
dog. from shooting it to death. sheep with him…seen”

51 Looloo Even Slim If the author made her flirting with other men so obvious, “She got the eye goin’ all the
found her does it mean Curley is just dumb for not noticing her time on everybody. I bet she
flirting so flirtatiousness or has his eyes gone blind from love at even gives the stable buck
obvious first sight. the eye. I don’t know what the
hell she wants.”

Curley He didn’t believe in the fact that Slim was with Curley’s “Lest I don’t think Slim is. But
misunders wife, however, he was still going since Whit likes I like to see the fuss if it
tood watching entertaining dramas or fights between people. comes off.”