When Steinbeck first finished the manuscript of this novel, he entitled it Something That Happened. Then he remembered the Burns' poem he had always loved: "To a Mouse," and he changed the title to Of Mice and Men. Which title do you think is best? Why? What part of the novel conveys this title choice best? (This post closes at mignight Sunday, May 3, 2009.)
4 comments:
The title Of Mice and Men is a better choice for this story. This title sounds more interesting than Something That Happened. Also, this title has more meaning behind it.
That comment was by me. Sorry
ML-4
Something That Happened is a better title for this novel. It is more like the dialogue Steinbeck used for his characters, and it sounds like the way George would start if he were telling this story.
LS-3
I much prefer the title Of Mice and Men. Something That Happened is too vague, and does not give justice to all the many symbolisms and metaphors throughout the book. The title Of Mice and Men serves as foreshadowing in itself, adding to the indications of Carlson shooting Candy’s dog and Lennie crushing Curley’s hand, revealing from the beginning of the story that something important was going to go wrong. This title is best portrayed in the moment that George sees Curley’s wife dead in the barn. It is then that the plans of the dream ranch die; Lennie and George and Candy living together, living happily, being free, is no longer possible. George realizes that he can no longer protect Lennie, whether from the diseases of dead mice or the danger of enraged men.
JJ-3
Post a Comment