Personal Response: Okies (Monica)

The migrants are called Okies because most of them are from Oklahoma. They left their poverty-stricken homes to strike fortune in California, but the Californians despise them and then the “Okies” thought it was an insult. Because they think the new workers are taking their jobs. It is basically the same situation that we are having today with illegal immigrants from Mexico and other South Central American countries. People in the U.S. refer to them solely as "Mexicans" and they are disliked by the low wage out of work population because the new workers work for cheap salaries. The Okies Were migrating every where they had to send money to there families because of there needs. Migrant people didn’t care about the climate because they needed their salary. What they were doing was nessecery that’s what I think about what the okies.

Personal Response: Okies & Of Mice And Men (Kimbery Deras)

These people went through a lot. Farmers Were Forced To Give There Land Away Because They Couldn’t Afford To Handle Them. Some Farmers Decided To Go To The City, but Many Decided To Head West To See What Type Of Jobs They Would Find. Farming Was Seasonal So They Had To Move Around For Each Season. Which Meant Less Food For The Other People. There Lives Change Because They Had To Keep Moving And Begin New Lives. I Cant Really Image Being In There Place It Would Be Pretty Hard. I Wouldn’t Like To Keep Moving From Place To Place. And I’d Be Sad Also Because I Would Hate Leaving MY Friends Behind All The Time. And Be Discriminated By Other People That Have More Money Then Me. I Think That It Is Possible For This To Happen Again Because The National Debt Is Bad. And Some People Are Losing Their Homes Cause Of Foreclose.

Personal Response: Napoleon Complex And Lennie (Sofia).

The Napoleon Complex is when a short person has insecurities due to their height. I believe that the Napoleon complex does exist. The Napoleon Complex was named after a short French ruler. I have seen people with this type of insecurities. I believe that people that are short struggle because other people that are average height bully them and make fun of them. Sometimes they think they are less of a person because they are not the height that’s expected.

In the story ‘Of Mice And Men’, “Curley” has this problem. He does not like tall people. ‘Lennie’ is a very big man. I think that Curley this problem because he might of been bullied for being short as a child or there was just something in his childhood that made him this way.

I think that height is not an issue for anything. I think that short people don’t need to feel like this. I believe that if you are short you are different from everybody else, which I consider good. However I think that there are a lot of people that use that against other people for example they take advantage of them, and I do not agree with that.

I also think that tall people have something kind of like this but it is the total opposite is some way. Some tall people get intimidated real easy. And others use this against other people and they bully the short ones. My over all opinion is that height is not an issue. I don’t think it should matter whether a person is tall or short.

Personal Response: Okies & Of Mice And Men( Mayela Franco)

The Okies were people that migrated , they moved from place to place. They migrated because every place they would try to stay the farmers could buy the area where they lived so they would get kicked out, and have to move somewhere else. If I was in their position I would feel really sad. If my parents would just walk in the house and said we had to move, I would probably freak out asking why we would have to move. The farming caused them to move from place to place because they farmed seasonal so they had to move place to place to follow the seasons. Like for example, you can not always plant things during the winter. Temperatures can get really low and the plants will die, and that would be a waste of money and time they wasted planting the crops. Many Okies decided to move West so California, Oregon and Washington started growing and many people where pushed off the plains. Unlike Lennie and George move from ranch to ranch because Lennie is always messing up things for George. Lennie will get in trouble and they have to leave because they will not want them any more.

Personal Response: Farming in the Depression (Kenneth)

“Farming during The “Great” depression was one of the most difficult times the world has seen. Farmers not only faced an epic slow down of historic proportions, but they also went through one of the toughest droughts in America’s history. People and farmers around the world had no money to plant, buy, or even harvest crops. if i couldn't grow plants, i would try and look for animals other than try and buying them. People couldn’t buy animals that the farmers had and for that same reason a lot of farmers lost their farms. if i couldn't sell animals i would either let them lose so people can catch them or give them to big family's that really needed it. Many people moved west to go looking for jobs that they can find and work for. Many people became migrant farm laborers on the West Coast.

“The economic depression of the 1930s was longer and harder than any other in American history because it was followed by one of the longest and hardest droughts on record.” If I lived through that time I think I wouldn’t know what to do but look for water and I think I wouldn’t live long through the hot weather. I think it can probably happen again but not as hot or dry as it was then. The drought made the depression worse, especially in the Great Plains. “The “Great” Depression was hit almost ever where in the U.S. and an international disaster, but the Plains were hardest hit. if i lived in the great plains i think it would of been very hard to live and look for food plants and especially for water. The people and farmers couldn’t grow any crops. No crops meant that the wind blew bare soil high in the air creating dust storms. if i couldn't grow any crops or any type of food i wouldn't know what to do. "Some farmers, where in trouble because of the bad economy, were forced to give up and move out of the plains looking for work.” i think i would of moved before i was forced to, because i think it would of been a good choice other than to risk dying or having no water.

Personal Response: Okies (Kimberly E)

On the website http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/water_06.html it said that, “ times were very hard for farmers during the great depression in the Great Plains. As the great depression worsened many farmers just gave up and some were forced off their land”. The relentless march of the new tractors meant that only those farmers that had enough money to buy a tractor were able to buy out their neighbors. This meant that there were fewer farmers that could farm land. Some of the farmers that left decided to go to cities. But most of them decided to head west. “During the 30s hundreds of thousands left the plains for the west coast.” Many of the farmers migrated from Oklahoma and got the name of Okies in the popular press. “California had advertised that the state offered a perfect climate and an abundance of work in the agricultural industry and later found themselves overwhelmed by up to 7,000 new migrants a month. More migrants than what they needed.” So the Los Angeles police department decided to send 136 deputies to the state lines to turn back migrants who didn’t have money. “Bordering states were angry that California was trying to dump hoboes back at them” In the course of time the police were returned to Los Angeles, but the migrants kept coming. There was some work on the new fields of cotton that were being planted in California. But there wasn’t enough work for everybody coming into the state. “The situation the Okies were going through caught the sympathy of people across the country. In part it was just because these migrants were white, unlike Mexican and Filipino workers who supplied the factory farms with the seasonal labor needed before and after Okies arrived.” If I was to have been an Okie back in the day I honestly don’t think I would have made it alive after those desperate times. I think that it was really unfair that California did what they did because I bet that if they had been the ones who were going through all that trouble they wouldn’t want people to give their hopes up, and treat them the way they treated the Okies. All the Okies were trying to do was have a better life. Who wouldn’t want that!

edited by: Vanessa Hernandez

Personal Response: Okies (Edwin)

The "Okies" were just doing what was necessary. The people of California were very unfair. They were only letting the Okies that had money enter the state! That is so hypocritical. What difference does it make really? Money or no money they are looking for the opportunity and the Okies that did have money probably didn't have much or they wouldn't have moved in the first place. Besides with so many people moving to your town you should take advantage not reject them. It’s a chance to expand and grow the city. Instead of making them turn back they should of put them to work and try to fix the economy.

Okies went through a lot of hardship. Their way of life changed suddenly with out warning. Then they traveled to California hoping to start over, instead they end up getting rejected and humiliated.

I think that it can be possible for that to happen again. I mean the present day economy isn’t very good to speak of. It could happen any time. It is already happening in countries around us. Thousands of people immigrate to the US every year and not just from neighboring countries. They come from Asia, Africa, and even Europe.

All this affects the story in that it makes it harder for George and Lennie to afford their dream. It’s going to take longer for them to reach their goal, which means their more time for something to go wrong. Here is a quote from the site, “…there was not enough work for everyone who came. Instead of immediate riches, they often found squalor in roadside ditch encampments.”

Personal Repsponse: Okies (Juan)

Its pretty bad that the economy was bad already. but just to add to it the great depression got worse. and just what they needed is one more problem called" dust bowl". in the 1930s some of the Okies went to the cities. Thousands other thought it would be better to start all over in the west coast. Florence Thompson was an okie that moved to West coast. Florence Thompson said. "We just existed! We survived, let's put it that way." They were very glad that they survived but many people died.

Personal Response: Okies (Evelin)

Well What I think about the Napoleon Complex is that it’s Stupid and self-focused and jealousy and selfish. There is a reason why a person says those type of comments and most of the time is because they can NOT look the same or jealous of what they can accomplish. I don’t get the point of saying those comments because by saying them you are not going to get anything from it. I do not believe in those type of comments because I really don’t care of what other people think about me or what they say. I am me and I live my life the way I want. Even though I’ve known other people that are like that, that enjoy saying those hurtful comments to other people, I really still don’t believe in those type of comments at all. They cause me and other people many problems between friends and family. People stop talking to other people, that’s where people start to fight just because of rumors. Those rumors make a line dividing there friendship in half, and makes people either think of commit suicide or those people end up hurting themselves in some way. This relates to Curley because he is a short guy and Lennie is a tall guy and he hurts Lennies feelings by making cruel comments and pushing him around just because of his size And His Mentally Illness. Most of the time something that some people would say is: “… but look at her shoes. Ugh. She’s got no fashion sense.” Is not good when other people judge and make non-sense comments bout other people.

Personal Response: The Okies (Monse)

It was a time of depression for all of us. All the farmers had given up and we were forced off the land because of foreclosure. Growing up in that great land of Oklahoma, it was hard, for me especially, to leave. They called us the “Okies”, and I liked being called that, but for people it was offensive. It was like, if someone else called an Oklahoman that, they would be racist. I was young, yes, but the history is told and I now know. Some farmers went to cities, some headed to the West, and where the others went, I’m not sure. For me it was a journey of three days to the West. Many of us migrated to California because of the known Dust Bowl winds. It began on a Sunday of April 1935. It turned the days into nights. They were weeks of dust winds, and it seemed like an eternity to me. They called it the "Black Sunday". Well, similar dust storms had already hit before, but this one was completely unique.

-I believe this could happen again, but in a different way. It would be harder to migrate to other states since the popularity is a lot more in every state, they could go to a different country. Maybe similar storms could develop, but I don’t think they will be as strong as the Dust Bowl. The “Okies” thing, the name-calling topic is already here. White people are racists with other races, Black people are racists with others. Mexicans are too, so there is like a war between all of us. Similar things are beginning to appear now days. It’s very unfair, and yes it is mostly towards Hispanics. People don’t know if a Hispanic or an African-American will find the cure to some disease and Americans don’t give them chances. I can’t imagine myself living in those times.

George's Journal: Concerns (Richard)

I’m awful worried about getting this job with Lennie. I ain’t sayin’ we’ll do bad, I just hope everything goes all right. If that Curly punk gets into a fight with Lennie, we can kiss both our jobs goodbye. Then we’d have to go to one of them plantations in California. Lord knows, it’s probably more packed than a school of fish. Not only that but with the occasional dust storm here and there, I don’t know were we’d find shelter. Most of the trees out there are probably as dried and shriveled as that old dog’s feet. Even worse would be trying to find food or water. Since the dust came in, most of the towns in the way probably already got the hell out of there. Then there would be the problem of the police. If we ain’t got no money,  we might as well lie in the sand and bake to death. Hell, even if we do make past the police the paying wages ‘ll probably be next to nothing. There’ll be so many Okies there we’ll probably fight over who dropped a damn nickel. I really hope if we have to go to California no damn bus driver makes us walk four miles. On top of that, I hope no one like Curly’s down there. If Lennie gets in trouble,  I don’t know what I’d do. All I can do is say my prayers and hope Lennie don’t get in trouble again. Jesus I’m stressed. No wonder there are flecks of grey in my beard…

Personal Response: Napoleon Complex (Blue)

My thoughts on the Napoleon Complex: My opinion on Napoleon Complex is that it doesn’t really have to do with just small men, but I think it go’s for woman too.  I think this because, when ever I think of the NC, I think of school. A lot of teenagers here are like that. Bullying comes to mind. Little people don’t want to be bullied, so they instead make themselves a reputation of being tough. Do I believe in the idea of the Napoleon Complex? Yes I do. I don’t know or have known anybody with that syndrome, but my dog is like that. He’s a small chihuahua, be acts like he’s a big German Sheppard. He is very intimidated by my cat since he’s bigger than him. He’s always wanting to pick a fight with him. This is why I think it kind of relates to Curley in the book, because Curley thinks he’s all high and mighty when he’s actually a very tiny man.

A thought from Curley’s mind:

“Man I hate that guy. He thinks he can come in here and be all macho man, and be the strongest man on my farm. You hear that Lennie? My ..my farm. Shoot when I met him, he looked like nothing but trouble. And that’s what he’s gonna end up being nothing but trouble. Think your so big? Huh? Well don’t under estimate me buddy. I could beat a whole army of men down in a blink of an eye..with one hand behind my back..there's not a doubt in my mind you would dare start a fight with me.”

Personal Reponse: Napoleon Complex (Leslie)

What I think about the Napoleon Complex,  is that it is dumb, self focused,  and just jealousy. There is a reason why a person say those type of hurtful comments, and most of the time it is because they can not look the same or jealous of what they can accomplish. I don’t get the point of saying those comments because by saying them you are not going to get anything from it. I do not believe in those type of comments can have power.  I really don’t care what other people think about me or what they say because I am me, and I live my life the way I feel comfortable living it. Even though I’ve known other people that are like that, that enjoy saying those hurtful comments to other people,  I still do not believe in saying them. They cause many problems between friends and family. People stop talking to other people.  That’s when people start to fight with others and  it makes a line dividing in their friendship in half.  It can make people either commit suicide or cause those people to hurt themselves in some way. This relates to Curley because he is a short guy and Lennie is a tall guy.  He hurts Lennie's feelings by making cruel comments and pushing him around just because of his size and his Mental Illness.

Personal Response: The Dust Bowl (Kenia)

I think the people in this time went through a lot of depression. It was taking their lives away. Once again, I think it wasn’t fair what they went through it at all. Their lives mainly changed because they gave everything they had to survive . It was a difficult moment for them. Some people decided too move on to other cities, some even moved West. They started and moved on into a new life that was waiting for them. They didn’t have much, but the most important thing was their relatives. Many of them migrated from Oklahoma. The article said they were called, “Okies” in the popular press.

I believe it was a great process. Honestly, if I was in their place I would have understand all of the depression. Especially not having much too gives or take. But as a matter of fact, I know that life keeps going no matter what. Always keep your head up and never give up . Maybe later on there will be  something better for you in your Life. Its more like of an experience, well I would have taken it like that. Well maybe, I think it can happen it again , but not in Kansas City. Probably in another place or country. Hopefully it won't happen because I believe it would take peoples lives apart . Too much depression . It would change a lot of lives. I can hardly imagine .  The article said,  "As the "double whammy" of drought and depression deepened on the Great Plains, more and more farmers gave up or were forced off of their land. In addition, the relentless march of new tractors meant that the farmers who were able to scrape together enough money to buy a tractor could buy out their neighbors. Fewer farmers could farm more land. But where would those who left go".

Personal Response: Napolean Complex (Yesenia)

The Napoleon complex is a specific feeling of inferiority about one’s height, which is kind of dumb, I think. I don’t believe in that whole idea of it. Why get all depressed over your height? I mean there are a lot of short/tall people in this world. Its not like you’re the only one. There might be others who are taller or shorter than you. Besides, what can people say about your height? They might laugh, but there just joking around. Mm, well most of my friends are short. They don’t get all depressed. They’re always saying that their fun size and they always laugh about what the others say, it’s really funny. 

The complex relates to Curley because he’s short and he hates bigger guys. Probably he’s jealous that they’re bigger than him. Maybe he just feels that he needs to take them down. Just so he can feel more powerful. Right now in the story, now that he saw how big Lennie is, he’s wanting to start problems with him. Lennie has mental problems, but Curley doesn’t know that. George told Lennie not to do anything because he’s the boss’s son and if he does something they could both get fired. I think Curley also likes to start problems with the big guys.  He knows they can't do anything back because he’s the bosses son, and if they do something to him, they’ll get fired.

Personal Response: Okies (Selso)

During the depression, no one could find any work and if they did it would be really hard because of the heat. They needed helpers in the West, but too many people came. The cops came and took away the ones that didn’t have any money. Some of the migrants starved because they didn’t have any money to buy food. Others were left homeless and no one cared. They just called them Okies to insult them. It changed their lives because some of them left their homes to go work, but got kicked out of California. This could happen again if there’s no electricity and people need to work on ranches. There are barely any ranches. There will be a lot of people going to the only ranches there are. The Okies were people that came from Oklahoma to California to work, but the people from California insulted them calling them Okies. Californian's said that they were a problem, but the Okies only wanted a job so they can survive. They migrated to California because they needed jobs to survive. The bill ganzel said that, “So many migrated from Oklahoma that they were dubbed "Okies" in the popular press”. It connects with the book because George and Lennie also have to migrate to different counties to look for a farm to work in and if they don’t find a job they will starve and will be homeless because they won't have any money.

Personal Response: The Dust Bowl & Its Effects (Ana)

The Dust Bowl was a big event that happened in the early 1930s & that lasted about a decade. It was a worldwide economic decline when the land became dry & farmers couldn’t plant their crops. Many people lost their jobs & home because of the dust bowl. Some farmers were forced off of their land & some gave up. People had to migrate in hope of something better. Some people went to the city, but mostly they went west. The dust bowl changed their lives because many people had to leave where they were raised to support their family. Also, in each country they raised taxes on imported goods to help their own industries. The depression caused some countries to change their type of government & their leader. 

I can’t imagine being in their place. They went through so much that we haven’t.  I think that this can happen again because of the kind of weather we’re having. There is an extreme change in it. From time to time we have droughts. Some aren’t that big, but they can lead to more. For example, in the summer it gets really hot & it gets hard for the farmers because crops can die of too much heat. The article said, “It was the most difficult and longest period of unemployment and low business activity in modern times.” We have problems like this today. Many people don’t have lost their jobs just like in the great depression. These are my reasons in why I think that the depression can come back.

Personal Response: The Napoleon Complex (Raquel)

My personal thoughts on the napoleon complex are that it is very true. I mostly see people with a “napoleon complex” as being more aggressive and more protective. I do have someone like that in my life; my older sister is very aggressive about everything. She is about my size, but I think a little shorter. She does cause a lot of problems with me mostly, we argue about everything, and she just tries to fight me for every little thing. I really don’t know why, but because of her I think that the napoleon complex could be real. Then again, some people shorter than others do tend to be bullied a lot by a taller people and so that’s the thought in my mind that makes me have second thoughts on if it is really true or not.

 

The napoleon complex does apply to Curly because he does have a Napoleon like size and he hates people who are bigger than him.  He feels like he has to take them down, so no one could be more superior than him. Curly hates Lennie from the start, and I do think it is because Lennie is so much taller than him.  Curly feels threatened and he feels he can't let Lennie be more powerful than himself so he is going to do whatever to make himself be on top again.

Personal Response: Okies (Mrs. Burks)

I was born in raised in Oklahoma, so the term Okie was something I always called myself.  However, to my Grandma’s generation that word was an insult.  During the Great Depression, thousands of farmers and their families from the Great Plains and Midwest packed up and moved West looking for work and way to survive.  The whole country was suffering, unemployment was at a high and the dust bowl was causing havoc to American farms.  The people in the West saw all these people moving in as a burden.  Okie became the slang term for anyone who moved there in search of some sort of farming job and better life.  The Okies were poor, homeless and desperate.  They were willing to take any job available, often at a lower wage.   They set up tent cities, and lived in Hoovervilles—not more than shacks built with whatever materials they could find on whatever free land they stay on.  The native Californians saw them as little more than a plague on their state.

I disagree with the portrayal of Okies. These people were doing their best; they were hard workers in a desperate situation.  They were not out to destroy California; they were just trying to do what was best for their family.  They shouldn’t be remembered as a problem, but as people who were willing to do whatever it took so they could survive.  It a trying time in our country, they came to represent the best of the American spirit.

George's Journal: The girl in Weed (Edwin)

Oh that Lennie, I know that I should take care of him.  I told his aunt I would. If I don’t he will surly starve, but he just holds me back to much. In Weed we had it going. We had jobs and place live, but then Lennie had to go and ruin it. I know he doesn’t mean to do these things, but life would be so much easier with out him. Lennie like a simple minded child. He just liked the feel and the texture of that girl’s dress. How in the world was that girl going to know that? I don’t blame her for what she did. A big full grown forty-year old man was feeling her dress and liking it ever so much. She didn’t like it and tried to get away. Lennie didn’t know the girl was uncomfortable, and he just wanted to feel her dress so he grabbed her. She started screaming and panicking. This gathered attention from everywhere. I told Lennie to let her go. Then we have to go and hide because a big angry mob that thought Lennie was attacking that girl, is looking for us. That is why we have to leave Weed and start all over somewhere else.

George's Journal: Keeping a promise (Monse)

I promised Lennie’s aunt; I had much respect for her. I promised her I would take care of him, and so I will. Is has just been so hard, without him I would be able to do so many things! But, I must do as I promised. We had to camp over the night, because the damn driver didn’t stop and we had to walk some 4 miles. And this fool who won’t understand me! This is great opportunity, I found another job and I really hope Lennie doesn’t screw up and lose it for the both of us like he has in the past. That fool! Always messing things up for me. If he wouldn’t be so obsessed with soft things, I never would have left the Weed. He doesn’t understand, why? He has killed a mouse, why can’t he be gentle? Dear Lord, please bless us. I am looking forward to that job; please don’t let him mess it up this time.

Personal Response: Friendship (Fabian)

 In my opinion I say George is mean to Lennie. He is mean to Lennie by not letting him go where he wants and  he doesn’t let him keep the mice. Lennie wanted to do what he wants to do but George was to selfish and wanted Lennie to do what George wanted to. Lennie did not want to be bossed around by George so he said that he wanted to go to up the hills and wanted to live in a cave somewhere up there. Lennie just didn’t want to get bossed and pushed around anymore he didn’t want to be told what and not what to do. He just wanted to do what he wanted and pretty much he wanted the mice and live up the hills in a cave, but George said that if he stays he will give lennie a pup that way he wont kill it when he pets it with his thumb. George was a really bad friend to his other friend. If I was lennie I would of not been friends with him. The friendship wasn’t a real friendship, because all George did was tell him what to do while lennie just sat there and did what he said but lennie stood up for him self and said all this and that all over again, George realized and he didn’t want him to leave. I guess George should of realized how he was for him to say all that.

Personal Response: Friends? (Kimberly E)

I feel that the friendship between the men is very unfriendly. I feel that George treats Lennie very unfairly and with no respect. I think that George does love Lennie, but has no idea how to show it. Lennie is a mentally retarded man. George should be able to have more patience with him because it isn’t the same as dealing with a normal person. “When I think of the swell time I could have without you, I go nuts. I never get any peace.” “You crazy fool.” “You crazy son-of-a-bitch.” “Blubbering’ like a baby! Jesus Christ! A big boy like you.” In these sentences you can see that George is getting very frustrated and loosing his patience with having to deal with Lennie. It seems as if sooner or later, he’s going to get fed up and just let Lennie take care of himself.

“Jus’ wanted to feel that girls dress—jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse--Well, how the hell did she know you jus’ wanted to fell her dress? She jerks back and you hold on like it was a mouse. She yells and we got to hide in an irrigation ditch all day with guys looking for us, and we got to sneak out in the dark and get outta the country. All the time something’ like that – all the time.” George is very mean to Lennie but I also understand why George is frustrated. He’s frustrated for the fact that he can never stay stabilized in a certain place he always has to be on the run because of Lennie. “Aw, Lennie!” George put his hand on Lonnie’s shoulder. “I isn’t taken’ it away jus’ for meanness.” George in a way does care for Lennie though.

George's Jounral: Lennie (Eric)

We where sitting by the fire I was yelling at Lennie, and he was sad. He asked if I wanted him to leave him alone, and if he should  to go up the hills and fined a cave to live in. He said he would keep lots of rats and no one would take them from him. I told told Lennie to not to leave me alone, and if he were to get in trouble I will help him out. I told Lennie does he remember how to get back home,  but he told yes he remembers how to get to me. I told Lennie, that if he gets in any trouble, run back up the hill and hide behind the bush. If we get enough money I can get him a puppy.  I was testing Lennie’s mind, and  asked him what are you going to say to the boss when we get to the ranch? He told me, "that I am not going to say nothing." I told Lennie if he leaves me his aunt would not be happy with me.   I also told Lennie when the new boss pays me $50 dollars I will go and buy the things that I need and get us some more food.

Personal Response: The Depression & their friendship (Monica)

What I feel about the Great Depression is that it had an effect on a lot of people, and it was an economic slump in the North America and it affected Europe. I wonder, how did they get money? How could they eat without money? It started when people got richer and richer. They just invested in stock and didn’t take future consideration.  It hurts to know how migrant workers couldn't get a good paycheck from a real company. They have to work up and down country side because they were  illegal or poor.  

I think that mentally handicapped people need professional help, just like in the case of Lennie. He has the mind of a kid that doesn’t understand when someone says no. I feel bad because George doesn’t have to carry Lennie around, but he made a promise. When I first read about Lennie I thought he was a guy who should be mature and not act like a little boy.

The friendship of Lennie and George is good.  I feel that George doesn’t like Lennie too much, but he acts like he loves him. George is not doing it for Lennie, it’s for his aunt so she can know that they are together. George would do anything for Lennie.

The feelings I have about the dream they have is that it is not going to come true at all . That is because of how Lennie act,  and plus they just think they are going to try hard and be able to reach that dream. They think this dream is going to come true, but at last it wont. They fooling themselves, making illusions about a future they aren’t going to have.

Personal Response: The Depression & their friendship (Juan)

The great depression was hurting all of the workers. The government had do something about it, because everyday it hurts everyone. There were also a lot of families losing their houses. The migrant workers were the one that were most affected because no one wanted to hire them. In the story, I think it’s sad for Lenny because the other guy makes fun of him.  Maybe he doesn’t mean to, but I’m pretty sure that he does it on purpose. The good part is Lenny doesn’t understand when George calls him names and other stuff. It’s also good because he wants to be more self-sufficient.  He wants to do more stuff on his own. He thinks he could be self-sufficient, and when someone thinks like that they can often do it. Their friendship is  good until George got angry, started to cuss, and did all kinds of crazy of stuff. Lenny always starts to mess everything up,  and they always end up getting kicked out. I think their dream is possible because they just need to try really hard, and they can’t give up. They have to put their mind into it or they wont make it.

George's Journal: Lenny and the Mouse (Tiyona)

Lenny is a person who likes to get mice. Lenny has me as friend and I am sometimes mean to him, but cares about him. I keep telling him to stop getting those mice, but Lenny still does it. I know he is going to get some more mice and try to sneak them into the house without me seeing him. Lenny can’t figure out why I won’t let him have the mouse, but I try to explain to him. I try to be nice to Lenny, but he acts so foolish to me. Lenny thought I did not want him at my house because I told him don’t get any more mice. That’s why he thinks that I was just trying to be mean to him. I just didn’t want Lenny to hurt the mouse because every time he gets a mouse he always taps it too hard and ends up hurting it. I am not trying to be mean to my friend Lenny, but I just was trying to tell him something about animals. Lenny seems to be upset with me when I keep on trying to tell him that he hurts them when he taps on them too hard.

Lennie's Journal: My Mouse (Sofia)

Oh, I can’t believe that George made me throw away my mouse. I Loved That Mouse So Much, even though it was dead. I only had it for a little bit, but I fell in love with it. I just can't believe it happened. Now I have to find another one just like it. I think George is mad at me now. I should’ve never said anything about the ketchup. Now he is going to make me go up the hill and live in a cave. I don’t know what I am going to do I just love mice and I don’t want George to be mad and leave me. I love George just like I love mice. I just don’t know what I do to the mice to kill them. All I want to do is pet them and feel their fur. Just like that girl from Weed. I just wanted to feel her dress but she wanted to ran so I grabbed her. I don’t remember what else happened. I just want to find a nice job so that George and I are able to have a farm with a lot of mice and a lot of rabbits. A dog would be great too. Then we can have a lot of fun running around and catching furry stuff then keeping them and George will not have to work a lot anymore. We can all just be happy, happy forever.

George's Journal: Traveling to Ranch (Kara)

It was just a crack of dawn and I seemed to hear something crackling in the leaves, like someone was leaving or approaching. “Lennie!” I yelled with just one eye open but there was no answer “Lennie!! At that point I had jumped up and realized that Lennie wasn’t there, but I could see his hat sticking out the bushes. He was in across the river about where I had thrown that dead mouse. “Lennie if you don’t leave that darn mouse alone and get over here, Jesus Christ” “But George I want the mouse to pet its so soft. Please, George.” As Lennie was making his way back to the site to pack up, we started to hear things. On the North side of us were some travelers traveling. “Who goes there!” yelled Lennie and he started to act like a wild animal. “ Lennie, Lennie, Lennie now calm down maybe they’re just passing through” I said “No George Ima Ima get the gun!” At that time the other men that was traveling began to speak. “You fellas from around here?” Lennie had disappeared, but from a tree on the side he started throwing rocks at the travelers. “Oh darn, Lennie!” I said to myself “I’m the Sheriff around here, and I think I just been assaulted by the big feller over there behind the tree. He needs to come with me down town” What has Lennie got us into now?

George's Journal: The Dream (Mayela)

Dear Journal,

Lennie and I been thinking about buying a ranch of our own. We been working hard, but in some way Lennie ends up messing everything up or gets in trouble so we lose our job. Tomorrow we will be going to get interviewed. Hopefully we get the job, and I also hope Lennie stays out of trouble. If we really want to accomplish this dream of ours, buying the ranch with a lot of animals, then we are going to have to work hard. I know that when I put my mind to things I will be able to accomplish it. I also know that is only if Lennie could stay with his mouth closed, and act like a person his age. Oh God what I going to do with him? I just can’t let him go. I promised his aunt that I would stay with him forever, but I just cant do this. It’s just too hard to deal with him. If only there was some way he could remember things it would be much easier. Sometimes I just feel like giving up, but I can’t. Anyways- back to the dream.  Lennie wants to have a lot of bunnies different colors.  The thing is he doesn’t realize there are no bunnies green, yellow, or red and there will never be. Well I got to go now,I have to go keep Lennie out of trouble.  Wish me luck.

Personal Response: Chapter 1 (Raquel)

My personal opinion about the friendship of George and Lennie is that they have a pretty strong friendship.  In seeing the way George talks to Lennie I would have thought that he would of left him alone to go his own way. But no, I was wrong. George continued to put up with him after Lennie had made both of them loose their jobs and  they also had to run away plenty of times. They have had no luck on finding a place to stay or being able to eat comfortably because of Lennie. I think that it would be a good idea if George left Lennie, but only at a place Lennie could be safe. I think that the two men have a strong friendship because maybe they have been together or known each other for a long time.  They haven’t separated since then and I think that would be the reason they haven’t separated now. I do like the friendship that the two men have with each other, but Lennie could try to understand how important having a job is at those difficult times.  Maybe then, George wouldn’t be so angry all the time. George should also try to understand that Lennie can be a bit difficult some times because of his mental illness. George should go easy on him from time to time. Other than the problems, they have a really strong friendship that I think could last sometime.

George's Journal: Lennie & the New Job (Selso)

Blog writing

Tomorrow we were going to start working at our new job, if Lennie remembers not to say anything. We can get the job, just hope Lennie remembers to say nothing at all. He just stand there with his mouth shut. Maybe we will get the job, if Lennie doesn’t do the same thing he did in Weed. We will hopefully keep this job for a long time. I better get him a mouse or rabbit so he won’t go feeling every soft thing that he sees. I wonder if he will remember to stay quiet? Lennie isn’t here right now, but I bet he went over to get that dead mouse again. He always breaks them, I think he would brake a rabbit too. I guess a grown dog is also better than a puppy. But, if I get him a grown dog he will probably get into more trouble than before. I just need him to not get into any trouble till I collect enough money to buy that field and the animals. Then we won’t have to work on other people's ranches. 

Personal response: 

The dream of George and Lennie is possible if they work hard enough. If they save their money and don’t get into any trouble like they did in the weed their dream can become true. I think they will reach their dreams if Lennie doesn’t do anything to get them kicked out of the ranch. If he does, they can go find another ranch like they did before.  I think they can make their dream come true.

George's Journal: The Dream (Ana)

As we walked to camp for the night Lennie was acting like a child. He was carrying a dead mouse & petting it as if it was to be alive. O’ dear god, what am I gonna do with him? All he ever does is slow me down. But I can’t leave him now, he has nobody & neither do I. He really does mean a lot to me, even though I treat him bad & sometimes scream at him. Afterwards, it breaks my heart to see his face after I scream at him. I really want to give Lennie a normal life, stop running away, find a stable job, & get a house. I keep on telling Lennie that we are going to do all this that this, that this Dream will come true to us. We just gotta try & give an effort to make it work. I told him he must not get in anymore trouble. Sometimes though, I just wish I was gone from him, that he wasn’t next to me anymore. Or maybe even that he was gone. He does get me mad.  I might as well tell him to leave, or when he’s asleep just get up & walk away. No no! What am I thinking of?  He’s like my brother, he’s family… We outta stick together. No matter what happens I have to be there for him. He’s always been here for me… I feel bad for him having to be stuck with me. I can’t believe that I think he’s a drag for me. He’s actually the only one who keeps me happy. He’s the only one who has ever cared for me. He truly is something special.

Personal Response: Having a mentally handicapped character (Anthony)

I think it was a good idea to have a mentally handicapped character because it shows the struggles that he/she goes through in the story and in life. It shows how they overcome their challenges/obstacles everyday. It helps me understand why George looks after Lennie and why they have so many problems. It also explains why Lennie loves to pet mice, but kills them when he squishes their heads. I think the friendship between the men is good, even though it seems like George does not like Lennie. It seems like Lennie makes George's life worse, but actually he makes it better in a way. Even though he always gets George in trouble and makes him move around the country to look for work. I think it’s possible for them to work at this ranch. If they do work and do what they are supposed to do,  they can get to their dream. Lennie will get his dream of looking over rabbits , and they will finally have a house and a stove. George told Lennie they are different then other workers because they have each other and they do not need to spend all their time at a bar or at a poker table spending their money.

George's Journal:New Job (Tyler)

We were walking down the road and I kept wondering if Lennie would mess the job up some way. I knew Lennie would remember what I told him, but it kept bothering me.  What would happen at the interview? I was worried Lennie would find another mouse and mess the interview up or would he say something really dumb. I want to believe what he said was true, but I know how many times he has ruined everything.  I said Lennie, do you see that fresh mouse over there? You can go get it if you want. I watched as Lennie chased after and caught the mouse, but shortly the mouse was dead again.  He kept smiling and petting that dead mouse.  I told him at the end of the day, I want you to throw out that mouse.  He looked at me and said he remembered that if he doesn’t mess this up then he can have as many mice as he wants. If he does mess it up,  I’m going to make sure he never touches a mouse again

George's Journal: Headed to a new job, once again! (Mrs. Burks)

We made our way from town today, but that darn driver wouldn’t drop us anywhere close to the ranch.  Walked nearly 4 miles before we got close enough to camp for the night.  I’m awful worried about startin’ this new job with Lennie.  I really want to make a go of it, and get this little piece of land.  One or two more harvests,  and I might just have enough money to do it. But that Lennie, he just might be the ruin of me.  Darn fool can’t keep a thought in his head longer than a blink of an eye.  Lord help us if he gets into the same sort trouble that came down in Weed.   I respected his Aunt and I made a promise to watch out for him, but how much more do I have to take?  A man can only take so much, and I am pretty sure I nearing my breaking point.  How long do I have to put my life on hold for that fool?

Georege's Journal: New Job (Darius)

There is a possibility that Lennie & I will both have a job. Lennie won't get fired for messing with mice because he wont mess with them. Then we will be able to put together our money and get a house with a farm and be able to work. We will be growing vegetables and selling them for money and making a large profit off of it. We will be able to pay our bills and feed every thing that is living.

George's Journal: Lennie (Kenneth)

Lennie and me are here lying down; he’s just talking about not having ketchup. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like without Lennie, but then I wonder what it would be like if he was without me. Now, we are making a campfire and settling down. I’m still thinking about the fact that every reason we get kicked out of town is cause of Lennie, but I promised his aunt that I would watch out for him.

Lennie and I are thinking about what we're going to do after we get this job. We can’t always be outside, we need a house, clothes, new shoes. Lennie says that he’s okay with what he’s got and that I can do what ever I want with the money, and that he’ll just follow me through whatever. He might be a little slow but sometimes I think he’s more brave than I am.

George's Journal: Frienship with Lennie (Lacy)

We are here making the camp fire and getting settled down, But I am still thinking about how Lennie ruins everything!. Everywhere we go either we are getting kicked out or we are leaving because some other reason, But you Know what I am getting tired of him. I know I am suppose to take care of him I promised his aunt that I would. I just need to calm down I know he can’t help, just to think of it, he is actually is kind of funny how slow he is. But his darn soft feeling habits are getting on my last nerve. I’m going get him to stop one way or another, I know I am! I can never abandon the poor fella’,  he wouldn’t last ten-minutes by himself. I could never leave that slow minded idiot to ever wander off by himself. Lennie is a good fella' he wouldn't hurt a dog, although he's hurt many mice. I mean hurt, hurt.

George's Journal: The Dream (Blue)

I’m starting to think our dreams ‘ll never come true. My dreams. Not with Lenny around. Ever since he was a little boy he would always bring nothing but trouble to me. I may never get to have a normal life like folks around and about out here. I haven’t even found me a pretty lady and I already have a child to take care of. Hard times these days trying to find a job. But god dam Lenny! That poor bastard can never keep out of troubles reach. Shoot he can’t even touch anything without it being broken. Some day it’ll be mines. I’ll be holding it right there in between my fingers. I can just feel it. But just feel it. That’s it! Around here things are gonna change. Either Lenny straightens up and starts acting like the age he is , or I'm just gonna have to manage on my own, and let him go.

Lennie's Journal:The Dream (Evelin)

I dream that someday we’re going get the jacks together, and we’re going have a little house, and a couple of acres an’ a cow, and some pigs, and live off the fatta the lan,  and have rabbits. We will have a vegetable patch, and a rabbit hutch, and chickens. When it rains in the winter, we’ll just say the hell with going to work, and we’ll build up a fire in the stove and set around it an’ listen to the rain coming’ down on the roof. Someday he will stop’ treating me like a little kid and stop telling me what to do, he’s always telling me what to do and I sometimes don’t like that. I know that he’s trying to be protective but he over does it sometimes.

Someday I will have a real job and I’m going to work really hard so I can get whatever I want. And I’m going to help George if he needs me for anything. I’m going to live with rats all over my house and then George is gonna tell me to let them go because I was gonna kill them all. But I wont listen to him I’m going to do whatever I want with those rats. Sometimes I dream to have a big big family and go everywhere with them and share everything with them.

Persona Response" The "Dream" (Kenia)

I think that it is possible for George and Lennie to have their own land . It might sound somewhat not possible, but if they make it seem worth it, then it will happen. Their Dream is to own an acre land and a shack they can call their own. Any dream can come true if you think positive and never give up. Especially when you have someone too share your dream with, that’s letting you know that someone is going to be supporting you no matter what . Someone who has been with you through bad and good things. A positive and honest person makes it thru life easily and fast. If you’re the negative type of person, in my opinion, I think and BELIEVE that you would struggle and have a difficult time thru you life, making you goals/dreams all go down and not up. Always going to have in mind that nothing is worth it when you know that it is and can be. All dreams can become real . Like Lennie’s and George’s dream. They are not going to give up, and try because they want their own land and is their biggest DREAM . Even though George has problems, well mainly strange feeling towards Lennie , because of the way that he sometime acts. But he never gives up. He's trying and trying he's best. That's how people should be, believe and don't give up.

George's Journal:The New Job (Yessenia)

Me and Lennie went over for the interview.  On the way, I was reminding Lennie about what he was going to say, which was not say a word. When I went into the office, I was in there for several hours. Lennie was sitting there quietly when I went back but he was holding something in his hand. I saw it, and it was another mouse. I told him to give it to me, but he would always refuse. So I left it as it as is and told him that we had gotten the job, and about how excited I was about starting the new job.

The next day was our first day working at our new job. “Welcome gentlemen, here is where you are going to be working everyday.” Our boss told us. He took us over to where we were going to work at. As we were walking to our station we were getting a lot of mug stares. “I don’t think I'ma like it here George.. I'm..I'm scared George.” Lennie told me and I told him “Don’t cha’ be scared boy, This is where our dream begins! Were gunna live in a farm pretty soon, just as long as we keep working here. So there's nothing to be afraid of Lennie; its okay.” “If you say so George.” He told me. Hours later when we were working this big guy came up to us and he started saying so many rude things. I told him that I didn’t want any problems and to walk away . But he told me “ We’ll see about that” and since his shift was over he left. Once mine and Lennie’s shift was over we was so worried we were not looking forward to the next day.