Discuss the Importance of Dreams in Of Mice and Men Essay Example for Free

Discuss the Importance of Dreams in Of Mice and Men Essay The book Of Mice and Men was published in September, 1937 and was set in the depression of the 1930s in California at the location of Soledad. Steinbeck uses Soledad because it translates as loneliness which arises the point that the time in which this book was set was a time of loneliness where it was very unusual to have a companion or family with you which led to the existence of dreams; to look forward to more pleasant and happier times. At this time: 1930s America, most Americans had the so-called American Dream. This was to own their own piece of land as well as being the boss of it. This was the common dream amongst ranch workers to have something to live for and aid them with their loneliness. The dream came into existence in the 1800s when land was more readily available. By the 1930s, when this novella was set, it was almost impossible to make their dreams a reality due to the 1929 Wall Street stock market collapse which had resulted in prices increasing drastically, and more importantly; there was a desperate act of poverty making people sell what they had and live on the streets. This is what led to the rugged individualism of each person. As well as this, it was made even more difficult as most land had been bought beforehand. It is due to the Wall Street Crash that many went to California for work. President Roosevelt at that time had the job of directing workers such as George and Lennie to ranches or farms where there was work. Steinbeck uses Lennie and George to personify the dream of the migrant worker; own their own land along with giving the opportunity to settle in the promised land (California). Migrant workers are labourers who work on ranches as harvesters involving lifting heavy materials; hard work for little wages. They have no family or friends as they continuously travel to different ranches in California in order to keep work. This is how workers had to get jobs and was the way of life for migrant workers. In relation to this, work card were important as it gave them a work permit which ranch owners required when recruiting. In comparison to modern day working conditions, workers such as George and Lennie would not receive holidays, sickness payments or old age pensions from their ranch. Therefore, futures for most men looked bleak. Without dreams, no-one would have reason to keep going. An example of this is Lennie wanting his own animals in the future to pet. There is symbolism within the book that refers to the Garden of Eden. He sets the scene of this by using description such as Willows fresh and green with every spring which could be interpreted as referring to the Garden of Eden. I believe Steinbeck is trying to put across the imperfectness of humans along with temptation and results of doing a bad thing (said by Lennie). Lennie shows that temptation causes him to lose his way and represents the imperfection of humans. His desire to pet soft objects without foreseeing the consequences puts him on a collision course with others. Also, the girl in Weed and Curleys wife are both temptations that made his curiosity grow and he could not resist. Curleys wife could be seen as the serpent in the garden; a liar, a temptation, a manipulator of men to get her way. Like Eve, she is curious, in this case about Lennie. Her actions are innocent but the outcomes are bad, (telling Lennie to touch her soft hair in the barn which leads to her death) just as Eves actions caused them and human beings to be sent of the perfect place. Curleys wifes actions tempt Lennie whose actions cause him along with the others to lose their dream of a little farm. Lastly, Adam and Eve were thrown out of Eden for going against God; therefore mankind is in loneliness and wandering. Steinbeck shows this when George asks who used to live on his bunk with Candy replying that he had just left: gimme my time one might like any guy would. After this, George then brings Lennie along which creates suspicion because two men didnt travel together; Hardly none of the guys ever travel together. There was a big contrast in the timeless rural vision of America and what was to all but end this: the 1930s Depression. The vision was that workers will move up the ranks of working to eventually own their individual land; however this would never be when the 1930s Depression occurred. There was a big drop in every economic growth along with very high unemployment. It also resulted in countries leaving the gold standard in order to recover. These reasons helped the American Dream to not be a successful one for so many. Steinbeck is effective and does well to imply that there is another world other then the perfect one that was envisaged by everyone by saying: beaten hard by the boys coming down from the ranches and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway. Words such as beaten hard and tramps suggest this other world and show the stark contrast between dreams and reality. The main characters include George, who is a small, quick man with well-defined features. He is a migrant ranch worker who dreams of one day saving enough money to buy his own place and being his own boss, many men in the Depression dreamed of this. His only set back is his mentally handicapped friend Lennie whom he travels with and has been since he promised Lennies Aunt Clara he would look after him after she died. Looking after Lennie stops George from working towards his dream and even prevent him from having a normal life of a rancher, because of this, George and Lennie regularly fight. George yearns for companionship as can be told by the metaphor of him playing solitaire. The tension of having to look after Lennie and himself shows in George and he shows a wide variety of emotions during the novella, from anger to patience to sadness. Lennie is mentally slow, hes enormous. He is Georges companion and he is the source of the all the novels conflict. He is Georges opposite both mentally and physically. Lennies innocence and helplessness, his childish actions, such is his desire to pet soft things makes him likeable to the readers of the novella. George and Lennies dream is more materialistic than to just own land and be their own boss, as they envision a place where nobody gona get hurt nor steal from them. The friendship between the two is firmly rooted in their dream. Candy and Crooks along with others are also caught up in the dream. Curlys wife also had a dream which was to become a movie star. But in one way or another, all the dreams of these workers are smashed.

Defining Race, Gender, Class Lens :: Race Gender Social Class

What is the Race, Gender, Class Lens? Race, gender and class shape the experience of all people. This fact has been widely documented in research and, to some extent, is commonly understood. New studies interpret race, gender, class as interlocking categories of experience that affect all aspects of life; thus they simultaneously structure the experiences of all people in society. At any moment, race, class or gender may feel more salient or meaningful in a given persons life, but they are overlapping and cumulative on their effect on people's experiences. Because of their simultaneity in people's lives we advocate using the approach of a "matrix of domination" to analyze race, class, and gender as different but interrelated axes of social structure. A matrix of domination posits multiple, interlocking levels of domination that stem from the societal configuration of race, class,and gender relations. This structural pattern affects individual consciousness, group interaction, and group access to institutional power and privileges (Collins 1990). Race, Gender, Class analysis invites us to distinguish between "thinking comparatively" and "thinking relationally." People think comparatively when they learn about experiences other than their own and begin comparing and contrasting the experiences of different groups. This is a step beyond centering one's own thinking on a single group (typically one's own), but is nonetheless limited. Relational thinking involves seeing the interrelationships among diverse group experiences. When you think relationally, you see the social structures that simultaneously generate unique group histories and link them together in society. This does not mean that one group's experiences is the same as another's, although finding commonalities is an important step toward more inclusive thinking. In thinking relationally, you untangle the workings of social systems that shape the experiences of different people and groups, and you move beyond just comparing(for example) gender oppression with race oppression, or the oppression of gays and lesbians with that of racial groups. Defining Race, Gender, Class Lens :: Race Gender Social Class What is the Race, Gender, Class Lens? Race, gender and class shape the experience of all people. This fact has been widely documented in research and, to some extent, is commonly understood. New studies interpret race, gender, class as interlocking categories of experience that affect all aspects of life; thus they simultaneously structure the experiences of all people in society. At any moment, race, class or gender may feel more salient or meaningful in a given persons life, but they are overlapping and cumulative on their effect on people's experiences. Because of their simultaneity in people's lives we advocate using the approach of a "matrix of domination" to analyze race, class, and gender as different but interrelated axes of social structure. A matrix of domination posits multiple, interlocking levels of domination that stem from the societal configuration of race, class,and gender relations. This structural pattern affects individual consciousness, group interaction, and group access to institutional power and privileges (Collins 1990). Race, Gender, Class analysis invites us to distinguish between "thinking comparatively" and "thinking relationally." People think comparatively when they learn about experiences other than their own and begin comparing and contrasting the experiences of different groups. This is a step beyond centering one's own thinking on a single group (typically one's own), but is nonetheless limited. Relational thinking involves seeing the interrelationships among diverse group experiences. When you think relationally, you see the social structures that simultaneously generate unique group histories and link them together in society. This does not mean that one group's experiences is the same as another's, although finding commonalities is an important step toward more inclusive thinking. In thinking relationally, you untangle the workings of social systems that shape the experiences of different people and groups, and you move beyond just comparing(for example) gender oppression with race oppression, or the oppression of gays and lesbians with that of racial groups.

Alcoholism: Alcoholic Beverage and Life Essay

Why do people drink alcohol? To reduce stress, to relax, to show off, or due to peer pressure. One of every thirteen adult drink alcohol. According to the article ‘FTC report cites improvement in alcohol industry self-regulation, â€Å"Fourteen million American suffered health, psychological, social, and genetics problem due to excess drinking of alcohol† (federal trade commission). It has caused a serious problem in the society. Even after executing the law of no drinking and driving, these drinking and driving problem has been frequently seen in the society. Many people has involved in sever accident and also, has lost their precious life. Many people who don’t drink has also been the victim of these alcoholic problem. I decided to choose alcohol addiction as my topic because I was also once a victim of alcohol. Different plans has been made in by the government and other social service organization to control the drinking habit of the person. Since alcoholism has been a serious problem in the present society, the government and other organization has been executing different laws and regulation to control it. One of the major step is establishing the rehabilitation center. The article ‘alcoholism and drug rehab’ stated that, â€Å"Research studies have found that certain approaches to addiction treatment and aftercare works better than other. This approaches in establishing a rehab center can help a lots of citizens† (Recovery Connection). The phrases â€Å"addiction treatment and after care works better† refers that alcoholics rehabilitation is given more priority to the government to reduce the alcoholism. This kinds of plans are frequently executed by the government to help the citizens and to create safe society. Other several laws like no drinking in public areas, age regulation (drinking restriction until the person is 21 years old), ID checking while buying liquor, time to time investigation to make sure that all these rules are followed strictly are run by the government. All this above are the plans and laws used by the government to control the alcoholism. I had been a victim of alcohol by the habit drinking it excessively due to peer pressure. I was living a very luxurious live. I had a wonder job, happy family, and reputation. But one small mistake changed my life. My friend name Anthony bao said, â€Å"Hey! There is a hard drinks in our home inside cupboard. You want to try. It taste really good. There is no one on my home right now† (bao). This small incident occur when I was 16 years old. I taste the liquor that day for the first time in my life and forgot those moments for 4 years. And again I started to drink when I was with my friends. It taste sweet. I started liking it and every day I started to drink a little bit. I got habituated with it and addicted to it. I was kicked out from my house. I lost my job. Eventually I started spending all the money I earned and saved. I act like a homeless. Nobody was willing to help me looking at my condition. I faced a lots of trouble reading the situation. In this way, I faced horrible situation due to alcohol addiction. I overcome the problem with the help of my friend who showed me the right path. He fine the way for me to be a good guy. He admitted me to the rehabilitation center, where I develop my habit and came out as a good guy. My friend name Azam khan said, â€Å"This is the best I can do for you. This is one of the best place I can leave you to develop your habit† (khan). He helped me in the very bad situation where I could develop into a very good person. I was first given very high amount of alcohol to drink, but eventually they reduce the amount and finally stopped it. For the first time in the life I felt good about myself. I felt like I just woke up from the worst dream. I appreciated my friend’s believe that I can be good again. When I sometimes look back to my life, I feel shame on myself. I was back to the good guy again. I showed my sobriety. Therefore, my parents forgave me, my good friends were back with me, and I got a same position job. I started living a wonderful life. During this struggle of life, I learned a valuable experience after this incident. I went to such a terrible time in my life. I shortly got addicted to alcohol, it harmed me for a long time, and it took me a long time to recover. I wish it was just a bitter dream. But still I am trying to forget it as bitter dream. It was such a long process of recovery on the life, but I end up with learning a valuable lesson. I realize that I was living my life as a dead person. All my friends, parents, and relatives used to hate me. I was just living a disgusting life. I said to myself, â€Å"wow! Such a wonderful life I am living right now. A while ago, I was hated and today I am loved by all. Thanks to god. † One famous actor Brian welch, â€Å"In 2005 Brian’s life changed when he experienced a dramatic conversion to a non-alcoholic person. He was addicted to alcohol and then sought solitude in order to cleanse himself of addiction. He credits God with his rehabilitation† (welch). It was just a wonderful moment after I got rid of alcohol. He shared his experience about how he was sought himself and addiction. He gave a credit to the god for helping him to get rid of alcohol. He could never imagine being in that condition again. In this process of life I learn the valuable lesson that alcohol is a poison. I wish even my bad-wisher would not have to live such kind of life. After a long hard treatment, I got a positive result after the recovery within a very short time comparing to other people. Many people were surprised and happy that I recover from that world of alcohol pretty fast. One of the instructor said, â€Å"I was really surprised when I saw him making a gradual progress about ignoring alcohol. Some people takes years and years to completely stop it, but I am glad he made in such short time of eight months†. After I was released from the rehab center, I came as totally as a new person and with new life. I really started appreciating that my life has been changed and everything is back to normal again. I loved the life without conflict with friends, family and no humiliation. Since I showed the positive result I was really happy. According to the casa palmera, â€Å"more than 43% of people have trouble with changing the alcoholic’s habit within less than three years† (alcohol rehabilitation statistics). This above quotation argues that fact that people in US who are send to victim of alcoholism barely show the positive change in very short period of time. It has been a serious problems for the government and many families who have been going through miserable condition due to the alcohol addiction to their family members. My family and I myself was lucky to get out of this horrible addiction in a very short period without being any late. This was one of the best feeling I got. In this way, I showed very good result and improve myself then other people. Therefore, to share my short life with alcohol I decided to choose to write the essay about this alcohol addiction. I was lucky enough to get rid of it now and live a wonderful life. I highly appreciate the hard work and believe of my family, friends, and instructor from rehab center. I would suggest people to never, even by mistake, drink the alcohol. It ruins your life, your money, your reputation, and pretty much everything. People can do their part by showing sobriety, making friends after really knowing them and never falling in the trap of friend circle if they have a bad influence. Credits to: â€Å"Alcoholism and Drug Rehab FAQs. † Alcoholism Treatment and Drug Rehab Related FAQs. N. p. , 2 July 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Bao, Anthony. â€Å"How I started drinking† personal, 1 February 2007. 26 Feb. 2013. â€Å"Federal Trade CommissionProtecting America’s Consumers. † FTC Report Cites Improvements in Alcohol Industry Self-Regulation. Federal Trade Commision, 9 Sept. 2009. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. Khan, Azam. â€Å"How he helped me improved† personal, 2 may 2008. 26 Feb. 2013. Welch, Brian. â€Å"10 Celebrities Who Overcame Their Addictions. † – Beliefnet. com. Beleifnet, n. d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013. â€Å"866-768-6719 Why Casa Treatments Location Admissions. † Casa Palmera. N. p. , n. d. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.

Essay about The Nuremberg Race Laws - 582 Words

In class I have learned a lot of information about World War II, and who was involved. Many groups of people were treated unfair and discraminated for something they do. Some of the groups were Jews, homosexuals, and communists. Most of this started when Adolf Hitler blamed Jews for starting World War I. He killed many of these people and later on it was known as the Holocaust. These actions are also the reason World War II started. First Hitler wrote a book about how everything would be better if Jews were put in camps. Adolf Hitler blamed Jews and started placing them in concetration camps. In these camps Jews worked like slaves and beaten or killed if they didnt work hard enough. He became the dictator of Germany. When he killed Jews†¦show more content†¦This is the reason why the United States of America joined. The six countries that were fighting in the war were losing a lot of troops. Adolf Hitler had control of almost all of Europe. Eventually they forced Great Britian to almost surrender. The three countries on one side were Germeny, Japan and Italy. Those countries are considered to be the bad people. The other countries were the United States of America, Russia and Britian. The other countries were being called the good guys. A group of men called the Tuskgee Airmen were working for the United States. They were African Americans who flew planes. At first whites thought blacks werent capable of flying planes. So they gave them easier jobs. The planes they used were from World War I. But eventually these men worked their way up and started to get harder jobs. They also started to get better planes. Anne Frank was a little girl who was Jewish. Her family hid behind a bookshelf and had guardians cover all the doors. She lived with another family also who lived on the upper half. This area behind the bookshelf was called the secret annex. Annes dad was a soldier in the German army. 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