Open Prompt Revision (october 10)

1973. An effective literary work does not merely stop or cease; it concludes. In the view of some critics, a work that does not provide the pleasure of significant closure has terminated with an artistic fault. A satisfactory ending is not, however, always conclusive in every sense; significant closure may require the reader to abide with or adjust to ambiguity and uncertainty. In an essay, discuss the ending of a novel or play of acknowledged literary merit. Explain precisely how and why the ending appropriately or inappropriately concludes the work. Do not merely summarize the plot.

        The relationship between the opening and closing of Stienbecks, "Of Mice and Men" is one of the most symbolic and beautifully crafted parts of the book.The final scene brings the book full circle and appropriately leaves the reader with a sense of closure, and plenty of food for thought.
        The novel opens up to a serene clearing in the woods as Stienbeck describes the scene in long graceful phrases that create a peaceful tone. This last scene has the same setting as the first, but its mood is completely different, although it is clearly reminiscent of the very first pages of the novel. Instead of a a beautiful, innocent meadow, the setting is described with a much harsher tone. Lenny watches as "a motionless heron that stood in the shallows...lanced down and plucked it [a water snake] out by the head"(Stienbeck). Stienbeck transforms the scene we once saw as a beautiful ecosystem of wildlife into something much more violent. We also see that a "a pleasant shade had fallen", unlike the water from before that had "slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight". This contrast in imagery is certainly not designed to be subtle, and foreshadows Lenny's murder--an innocent man about to be killed for his ignorance. He watches this snake, innocent just like him, about to be eaten by the heron. Both creatures of nature who, for some reason got the short end of the stick when nature chose who will survive. Death comes quickly to both who are very unaware of their fate, even right up to the very end.
        Just before Lenny's murder, George assures him that everything is fine, and forces himself to talk with his best friend one last time about their dream. Stienbeck poses the question of morality as soon as the reader realizes what's about to happen. This last question of justice before the bitter ending wraps up the book into a heart wrenching but satisfying novel due to Steinbeck's beautiful description of nature and his ability to bring the book full circle.

Response to course material Feb 10

We finished Hamlet and have moved on to Rosencranz and Guildenstern. I love the idea behind this play, but it's very confusing and I can't really see what the author is trying to get at. Seems more philosophical. It's very different from the rest of the plays we've read so far, but I really like some of the ideas it brings up, like when the characters address the audience. It reminds me of a play I just went to see with my family called "The skin of our teeth". The character in that play also addresses the audience. It also reminds me of Shakespear's "As you like it" (this is also where I got my name from hehe), when Shakespear writes, "all the worlds a stage". We havn't talked about the issue of identity much in class but so far that's seems pretty important. I mean r and g are practically interchangeable. That has to mean something, right!?