"I got you and you got me"

We have just met George Milton and Lennie Small, the main characters in Of Mice and Men. These men are very different,but have a friendship.  Why do you think Steinbeck has made these men foils, character opposites?  What keeps them together?  (The deadline to post a comment to this blog question is midnight, Friday, January 13, 2012.)

Welcome to English III with KP

George Eliot once wrote "It is never too late to be what you might have been."  This is one of my all time favorite quotes because it echoes my belief that anyone at anytime has the power to choose his destiny.  This semester as we journey through composition writing and American literature, I hope that you will find something that will inspire to choose the right destiny for yourself.  I hope that you will enjoy the class and let me help you improve and enhance your writing, grammar, and reading skills.  I look forward to getting to know each of you and making this a successful semester.  My first questions to you are "What would you like me to help you with this semester?  Why do you feel you need improvement in this area?  What would the best way(s) for me to teach you?"  (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, Sunday, January 8, 2012.  Remember if you post to use your initials and the block to indicate who you are.)

Wishing you a very happy holiday season!

Christmas is a time of year when people come to act as they should have all year.  I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

You are what you read...

There is an old adage that states, "You are what you eat."  I believe that people are WHAT they read because once you read a poem, a story, a play, or a novel, it becomes a part of your thoughts and if you are lucky enough to find something that touches you emotionally, it becomes a part of your soul.  We have read so much this semester.  Which pieces will be a part of you forever?  Why?  How did these pieces affect you?  (This is our last blog for this semester; the deadline to post is midnight Monday, December 12, 2011.)

Something That Happened...

When Steinbeck first wrote Of Mice and Men, he titled it Something That Happened.  Remembering the Robert Burn's poem (that we read), he retitled the book.  Do you think he made the right decision?  Why?  Also, please look at this picture and tell what you think of it.  Which aspect of the novel do you think this illustration best depicts?  Why?  (The deadline to post a reponse to this blog is midnight Thursday, December 8, 2011.)

"I tell you a person gets sick..."

We read Chapter 4 of OF MICE AND MEN today.  In this chapter, Steinbeck shows the many effects of loneliness and lost dreams. Explain how loneliness has affected Curley's wife, Crooks, and Candy.  (The deadline to post a reponse to this question is midnight, Sunday, December 4, 2011)

If these whitewashed walls could talk...

Today in Of Mice and Men, three important events occurred as the men sat in the bunkhouse: Candy's dog was shot, Candy, George and Lennie decided to buy their dream ranch, and Curley attacked Lennie.  Select one of these events and write about how Steinbeck created mood/tone of the scene.  Explain how this scene made you feel.  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, Friday, December 2, 2011.)