Close Reading of Chapter 2 in “Of Mice and Men”

by | Oct 14, 2023 | literature

Close reading is deep analysis of how a literary text works; it is both a reading process and something you include in a literary analysis paper, though in a refined form. Close reading is important because it is the building block for larger analysis. Your thoughts evolve not from someone else’s truth about the reading, but from your own observations. The more closely you can observe, the more original and exact your ideas will be. You have already had some practice with close reading during the Annotation Exercise; I encourage you to begin by referencing your feedback from that assignment.

For this paper, you will choose one of the six chapters from Of Mice and Men to focus on for a close reading (we’ll call the untitled sections where the novella breaks “chapters”). It is very important that you choose one chapter of Of Mice and Men to analyze, not multiple chapters or pieces of multiple chapters. The objective of this assignment is to compose a 500-750 word close reading paper that demonstrates your ability to do the following:

1. execute close and careful textual reading and examination

2. conduct effective literary analysis by practicing insight and acknowledging complexity

3. present clear and effective ideas and arguments in writing

You’ll meet these objectives by analyzing specific details, scenes, actions, and conversations in the text and discussing how they contribute to your interpretation of the meaning of the larger text. This process requires extracting as much information from your chosen passage of writing as possible.

Examine the passage by itself
• What is the first thing you notice about the passage? What is the second thing? Do the two things you noticed complement each other? Contradict each other?
•What mood does the passage create in you as a reader? Why?
• How do Steinbeck’s style, imagery and choice of language create a tone or intensify a meaning?
•Which words do you notice first? Why? What is noteworthy about this diction? Are there any unfamiliar words in this passage? If so, look them up.
•How do the important words relate to one another?
•Do any words seem oddly used to you? Why?
•Do any words have double meanings? Do they have extra connotations?
• What is the sentence rhythm like? Short and choppy? Long and flowing? Does it build on itself or stay at an even pace? What is the style like, and to what end?
• Is there any repetition within the passage? What is the effect of that repetition?
• How many types of writing are in the passage? (For example, narration, description, argument, dialogue, etc.) Is this significant in any way?
•What does this passage explicitly say? Is there a meaning beneath or beyond the explicit message? If so, what is it? How is it communicated?
• Does an image here remind you of an image elsewhere in the book? Where? What’s the connection? How might this image fit into the pattern of the book as a whole?
• What is left out or kept silent? What would you expect the author to talk about that the author avoided?
• Who speaks in the passage? To whom does he or she speak?
• How does the passage make us react or think about any characters or events within the narrative?
• What might the passage suggest about Steinbeck’s motivations?
• Could this passage serve as a microcosm—a little picture—of what’s taking place in the whole work? How so?

Examine the passage in light of surrounding passages and the rest of the book
• What themes running through Of Mice and Men are evoked explicitly and implicitly in this passage?
• How does this passage fit—or not fit—into its immediate context as well as the book as a whole? What insights does it offer about the rest of the book?
• What questions does the passage raise about the story being told?
• What conclusions can be drawn about Steinbeck and Of Mice and Men from this passage ? What specific examples in the passage (and additional passages) support these observations?

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

Close Reading of Chapter 2 in “Of Mice and Men”
Introduction
In John Steinbeck’s novella, “Ofice and Men,” each chapter serves as a building block contributes to the overall meaning of text. In this close reading paper, I will focus on Chapter 2 and analyze specific details, scenes, actions, and conversations to explore how they contribute to the interpretation of the larger text. By examining Steinbeck’s language, form, details, and literary devices, we can gain a deeper understanding of the themes and motivations in “Of Mice and Men.”

Language
Steinbeck’s choice of words is crucial in conveying his intentions and shaping the meaning of the text. In Chapter 2, the language used by the characters reflects their social status and aspirations. The workers on the ranch, such as Candy and Crooks, use colloquial language that emphasizes their lower-class backgrounds. This choice of diction creates a realistic portrayal of the characters and their struggles.

Furthermore, the use of specific words with either positive or negative connotations adds depth to the narrative. For example, when describing the bunkhouse, Steinbeck uses words like “gloomy” and “dirty” to create a negative atmosphere that mirrors the harsh reality of the characters’ lives. These carefully chosen words contribute to the overall tone of the chapter.

Form
“Of Mice and Men” is a novella characterized by its concise nature and reliance on dialogue. In Chapter 2, this form influences our reading experience. The brevity of the chapter creates a sense of urgency and tension, mirroring the unstable and transient nature of the characters’ lives. The extensive use of dialogue allows for direct insight into the thoughts and motivations of the characters.

The constraints of the form also serve to highlight the significance of each scene within the chapter. Every action and conversation becomes amplified, as there is no room for unnecessary details. This compression of narrative elements forces readers to pay close attention to the interactions between characters and the development of key themes.

Details
Steinbeck’s attention to detail in Chapter 2 provides valuable insights into the characters, places, and situations depicted in the novella. For example, the description of Crooks’ room reveals not only his isolation but also the racial discrimination prevalent during that time period. The sparse furnishings and separate living quarters signify his marginalized position on the ranch.

Additionally, details such as the dead puppy found by Lennie foreshadow future events and hint at Lennie’s inability to understand his own strength. These small but significant details enrich our understanding of the characters and contribute to the overall narrative arc.

Literary Devices
Steinbeck employs various literary devices to enhance the impact and meaning of his writing. One such device is foreshadowing, which can be seen in Chapter 2 when Curley’s wife is introduced. The way she is described, with her “full, rouged lips” and her provocative behavior, foreshadows her role as a catalyst for tragedy later in the novella.

Another literary device used by Steinbeck is imagery. Throughout Chapter 2, vivid descriptions of the bunkhouse and its inhabitants create a vivid mental picture for readers. The juxtaposition of the stark reality of the workers’ lives with the dream-like imagery of their aspirations serves to emphasize their longing for a better future.

Conclusion
By closely examining Chapter 2 of “Of Mice and Men,” we can uncover deeper meanings and themes within the novella. Steinbeck’s deliberate language choices, concise form, attention to detail, and skillful use of literary devices contribute to our understanding of the characters, their struggles, and the overall message of the text. Through this close reading analysis, we gain a richer appreciation for Steinbeck’s storytelling prowess and his ability to capture the complexities of human experience.

 

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