Relating Literature to Experience: Literary Masterpieces that Speak.
Literature has existed in our lives since the invention of formal standardized writing. Writers have used literature to express their thoughts and opinions on various subjects relating to human life. Fundamentally, literature has always been about relating to the human life and experiences. Literature employs elements of writing such a plot, point of view and dialogue to express the ideas of the author. In most cases, authors approach a subject by writing about experiences and using humor to pass the point across rather than approaching the subject head on. Literature has been used over time to record experiences and entertains the readers: but what is literature really? Literature is anything that is fun to read and gives instruction at the same time. What role does it play in our lives? Why study literature? How does it relate to our life experiences? The purpose for this essay is to fulfill the need for using John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men in high school curriculum.
John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men was published in 1937 during the great depression. The book is centered on two characters George and his childhood friend Lennie. Economic times are hard on them and they need a job: so the two of them embark on a journey to look for a job. George is depicted as impatient, irritable, creative while Lennie is depicted as kind-hearted heavy set individual who lacks intellect and is always in trouble. The two have a very strong bond as friends, however, they lack the ability to properly plan for their future. The plot ends as the two are fantasizing about the future that seems quite bleak.
The writer and author, John Steinback, explores issues of poverty, intellect, sexuality, loneliness, and dreams through the experiences of his characters in the plot setting. These experiences reveal deeper issues stemming from each of the subject. These issues experienced by the characters in the book reveal John’s perceptions on said issues. The author has successfully incorporated the use of humor to make light of sensitive issues such as racism and sexuality all the while revealing his position on these subjects through his characters.
"O.K.- O.K. I'll tell ya again. I ain't got nothing to do. Might jus' as well spen' all my time tellin' you things and then you forget 'em, and I tell you again."
"Tried and tried," said Lennie, "but it didn't do no good. I remember about the rabbits, George."
"The hell with the rabbits. That's all you ever can remember is them rabbits. O.K.! Now you listen and this time you got to remember so we don't get in no trouble.
The language used by George especially is a particular slang that is quickly loved by most readers of this work. The subject of loneliness is better captured by the conversation between Crooks and Lennie. Crooks is explaining that nobody is immune to lonliness and Lennie is worried that he was abandoned by George
"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."
"George gonna come back," Lennie reassured himself in a frightened
voice. "Maybe George come back already. Maybe I better go see."
The issue of intimacy and self control is also well established in the book. In a captivating situation that quickly goes wrong, Lennie begins to get along with Curley’s wife. Lennie has a mental disability: he possesses the intellect of a four year old. He is a heavy set individual unaware of his limitation – the reason why most of the animals he pets end up dying. He is above all kind hearted but a trouble-maker due to limited intellect. Their conversation progresses well until he start to play with her hair but cannot grasp soft from gruff. The lady screams and he panics quickly covering her mouth. What results is very tragic. This bit of the story can be very crucial to teenager who encounter intimate situations with the opposite sex but are ill-equipped to handle the level of responsibility required. His heart-gripping story is not only adequate to capture the minds of young high school kids, but enough to help them relate to some of their new experiences in intimacy, hopefully not as tragic as this. They begin to question the circumstances that led to such a situation: inadequate intellect, no self-control, lack of responsibility to actions. They also realize nobody is immune to misfortune. This is the kind of book they will want to read over and over and will stay fresh in their mind for life. They can borrow a lot on creativity from this book and forge ahead in their studies. Just reading this book over and over should boost their self-esteem to read more literature materials.
This book has been read and critiqued by various readers all the way from 1937, most of who share common views on the book. Each of the following critiques read the book while still young. They relate how the book impacted their lives and what impressions they have of the book. For instance, Stacy, an English blogger who hails from London believes the book to be emotionally charged and explores the subject of friendship quite well.
“I picked Of Mice and Men to be my eleventh classic of the year I was surprised to find that the plot was a lot less complex on the surface than I had anticipated yet underneath a lot is packed into this 121-page novella, taking place over just four days.” Stacy, Pretty Books.
Another critique, Clodagh Corcoran, who also did a book review found the book exciting to read and as a source of life inspiration.
“One of the first and certainly one of the most influential books I read as a teenager I still re-read it every few years to remind myself that out there is a huge body of dispossessed people trying to survive with only their wits and dreams to sustain them.” Clodagh Corcoran, The Children’s Books’ Ireland Magazine.
According to a BBC news article, students these days have a very short attention span. Hannah Richardson believes most students are believed to be swamped with social and economic concerns that quickly divert their attention a few minutes into class. On the other hand, Saga Briggs, a former tutor with interest in psychology also explore why most students have issues with paying attention. He primarily attributes technology as one of the main reasons. Technology offers information very quickly, however, literature has to be read and analyzed in the old fashioned way - by investing time. Students will therefore lose interests in literature that does not incorporate humor to engage the short spans of the minds in intellectual thought processes. Saga Briggs however insists that high schools kids are just misunderstood: on the subject of their short attention span. The fact that technology can give them the information they need and can relate to very quickly reveal a very important aspect that can be applied in literature: they only choose what they can relate to. Saga believes that an author must aspects of experience they can relate to, incorporate humor to tell a story that is very efficient in comprehension. Literature expressed in this manner is very palatable for their consumption.
One of the reasons why this book should be included in the high school circular is primarily due to the brevity of the novel and the simple language used. The accounts in the novel are narrated in 121 pages of material. The author has successfully explored all the aspects analysed in this paper and more in such a brief material. This is the very reason is should be included in the high school curriculum. This research essay has explored the reasons why high school students rarely pay attention in class. It is in their nature to be hyperactive, impatient and consequently possess short attention spans. As such, a literature material that is not typically long will effectively keep their attention: which also brings in the second reason to support this statement. The writer has successfully incorporated humor embedded with lessons throughout the text of this material. This is a crucial aspect to keep their minds occupied. One of the critiques mentions that their grandmother skipped the routine of reading to books a year to reading John Steibecks Book frequently. Now this may not capture the real issue here: however, it is imperative to note that an old woman with a long history of studying literature broke away from a routine that probably lasted for years once she read this book. I therefore believe that a teenage mind, still fresh and active, can easily be captivated by the book.
The lessons expressed in this book are also crucial to the development of a teenage mind. I want to believe that this panel does not consider literature for the sole purpose o entertainment and language used. I still believe in the idea of a holistic approach to education; as such, this book can serve to inform the young minds on perceptions of character and critical thinking. Take for example the two characters in the book. George is temperamental and has anger management issues while Lennie is sweet and innocent. It is therefore unexpected when he is the one that commits such a gross offense. That aspect alone should be able to trigger a though process that will help a student evaluate their lives, their character and the character of those close to them. A teenagers mind is curious, developing and quick to absorb information: and like Saga Briggs claims, information relevant to their life and experiences. Teenagers are still in between childhood and adulthood: that is a fact. Their minds are still in the process of defining the concept of decision and consequences; also a fact. They need the school to learn more about this and discover who they are as a person. In the process of undertaking their education therefore, they would need material that informs them in a manner they find entertaining: to capture their minds and cause them to ponder over it for extended periods of time even as they learn more about literature. Additionally, they also get to learn about social norms in their daily lives as they relate to the story.
The book has many benefits to a reader as established in the arguments presented in this paper. A reader can pick a lot about creativity by analyzing some of the actions of the characters. Students in their teens can gauge the consequences of actions done without the ability to fulfil them. They can also get to learn more about the other issues such as the idea of racism. It is a fact that kids adopt the views of their parents most time without proper reasoning. The racism issue explored in the book gives them an insight into what it really is: enough to inform their decision on racism. The book is self-absorbing and student can learn a lot by reading it. Given that multitude of people enjoy the use of literary skills in expressing the views of the author, a student can and I capable of reading it over and over. As such, it can lay a foundation for breaking the taboo among students that literature ‘sucks’.
I believe the author, John Steinbeck, successfully managed to write a masterpiece, Of Men and Mice, that speaks volumes in a short work (121 pages) of literature. This, I believe, is therefore a work of literature that relates to experience.
Works Cited
Bowers, Kristen. "Literature Guide: Of Mice and Men." Secondary Solutions (2005): 8-10.
Corcoran, Clodagh. Of Mice and Men. n.d. 13 April 2016. <http://www.inismagazine.ie/reviews/book/of-mice-and-men>.
Open Colleges. The Science of Attention: How To Capture And Hold The Attention of Easily Distracted Students. 28 july 2014. 13 April 2016. <http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/30-tricks-for-capturing-students-attention/>.
Richardson, Hannah. Students have only '10-minute attention span'. 12 January 2010. 13 April 2016. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/8449307.stm>.
Stacey. BOOK REVIEW: OF MICE AND MEN BY JOHN STEINBECK. 8 December 2013. 13 April 2016. <https://theprettybooks.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/book-review-of-mice-and-men-by-john-steinbeck/>.
Steinbeck, john. Of Men and Mice. USA: Viking Penguin, 1937.
Steve R. Hake, Ph.D. "Why Study Literature?" Pro Christo et Libertate (2001): 1.
