Of Mice and Men Study Guide

Of Mice and Men Study Guide Of Mice and Men is a 1937 novella by John Steinbeck. Set during the Great Depression, the book tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant workers and long-time friends employed on a ranch in California. Through its use of colloquial language and detailed characterization, Of Mice and Men offers an unsparing portrait of its characters and the violent and harsh conditions they face. Fast Facts: Of Mice and Men Author: John SteinbeckPublisher: Viking PressYear Published: 1937Genre: Literary fictionType of Work: NovellaOriginal Language: EnglishThemes: The nature of dreams, strength vs. weakness, man vs. natureCharacters: George Milton, Lennie Small, Curley, Candy, Crooks, Curley’s wifeNotable Adaptations: 1939 film directed by Lewis Milestone, 1992 film directed by Gary SiniseFun Fact: John Steinbecks dog ate an early draft of Of Mice and Men. Plot Summary George and Lennie are two farm workers traveling through California in search of work. When the novella begins, they have just been kicked off a bus while journeying to their latest ranch. They spend the night in a makeshift shelter and arrive at the ranch in the morning. The ranch owner is initially hesitant because Lennie, who is physically strong but has a mental disability, doesnt speak, but he ultimately accepts the men as workers. Lennie and George meet fellow ranch hands Candy, Carlson, and Slim, as well as Curley, the son of the ranch owner. Curley, a diminutive but confrontational man, verbally targets Lennie. Carlson shoots Candys old, dying dog. Lennie reveals that he and George have a plan to buy their own land someday, and Candy offers to join them, pitching in his own money. Slim gives Lennie a puppy from his own dog’s recent litter. The next day, Curley attacks Lennie once more. Out of fear, Lennie grabs Curleys fist and crushes it. Later, the ranch workers go out drinking, and Lennie stays behind. He talks to Crooks, an African American farm hand who lives separately from the other workers. Curleys wife approaches and asks what happened to her husbands hand. When none of the men tell her, she berates Crooks with racial slurs and threats. The following day, Lennie accidentally kills his puppy by petting it too hard. Curleys wife finds him with the puppys body in the barn. Lennie and Curleys wife begin to converse. Curleys wife reveals her former dreams of Hollywood stardom and offers to let Lennie touch her hair. While doing so, Lennie unintentionally breaks her neck and kills her. When the farm workers discover Curleys wifes body, Curley begins a vengeful pursuit of Lennie, with the other workers in tow. George takes Carlsons gun and breaks away from the group in order to meet Lennie at their predetermined spot. George tells Lennie all about the beautiful future in which they have a farm of their own to tend to rabbits, then finally shoots Lennie in the back of the head. Major Characters Lennie Small. Contrary to his surname, Lennie is an extremely large and physically strong man. However, he is also gentle-hearted and often fearful. Lennie has a mental disability and is dependent on George for protection. He loves rubbing soft materials and small creatures, from mice to puppies to hair. This desire leads to unintentional destruction and even death. George Milton. Crafty and resourceful, George is both the domineering leader and loyal protector of Lennie. Although he sometimes complains about taking care of Lennie, he is deeply committed to him. At the end of the novella, George decides to kill Lennie in order to protect him from greater harm at the hands of the other ranch workers. Curley. Curley is the son of the ranch owner and a former Golden Gloves boxer. Despite his small stature, Curley picks fights and struts around confidently. He is a jealous husband who rages at his wife. He also targets Lennie, despite the fact that gentle Lennie doesnt want a fight. When Lennie accidentally kills Curleys wife, Curley seeks out Lennie in a murderous rage. Candy. Candy is an old farm worker who has lost a hand. He owns an aging dog that Carlson insists upon shooting. When Candy overhears Lennie talk about his plan to buy some land with George, Candy offers up $350 of his own money to join them. Crooks. Crooks, the only African American character on the farm, lives away from the other workers in segregated quarters. He is world-weary and skeptical of Lennies dream of buying land. Crooks faces racism on the ranch, most notably when Curleys wife verbally attacks him with racial slurs and violent threats. Curley’s wife. Curleys wife, whose name is never mentioned, is treated badly by her husband and warily by the other farm workers. She has a flirtatious nature, but she also expresses loneliness and lost dreams during a conversation with Lennie. When Crooks and Lennie refuse to tell her what happened to her husbands hand, she verbally attacks Crooks with racial slurs and threats. She ultimately dies an accidental death at Lennies hands. Major Themes The Nature of Dreams. Dreams play a key role in Of Mice and Men. Most significantly, George and Lennie share a dream of owning their own land, but their perspectives on this dream differ significantly. In Lennies mind, the dream is sure to become reality; for George, discussing the dream is a way to comfort Lennie and pass the time in a harsh environment. Strength vs. Weakness. In Of Mice and Men, strength and weakness have a complex relationship. This relationship is most evident in Lennie, whose physical strength is a direct contrast to his gentle and guileless personality. In the tough world of the book, strength- particularly mental toughness- is essential. Man vs. Nature. Tension between the human world and the natural world exists throughout Of Mice and Men. Sometimes the characters exert control over the natural world, and sometimes, the natural world rises up to overpower the characters. Ultimately, the novella suggests that the natural and human worlds- the worlds of mice and men- are not so different after all. Literary Style Of Mice and Mens literary style is largely simple and straightforward. The dialogue is written in a colloquial dialect intended to reflect the working-class backgrounds of the ranch workers, whose speech is also peppered with slang terms and vulgar expressions. The novella is also notable for its use of foreshadowing. Lennies accidental murder of the puppy parallels his accidental murder of Curleys wife; the apparent mercy killing of Candys dog mirrors the mercy killing of Lennie. Of Mice and Men has been the subject of censorship due to its harsh subject matter, but it remains one of the most widely-read works of American literature of the 20th century. About the Author Born in 1902, John Steinbeck is one of the most prominent and widely-read American writers of the 20th Century. Much of his work focuses on everyman protagonists in California during the Great Depression. He said that Of Mice and Men was inspired in part by his own experiences alongside migrant workers during the 1910s. In addition to Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck penned over two dozen books, including The Grapes of Wrath (1939) and East of Eden (1952).  He won both a Pulitzer Prize and a Nobel Prize.

Fire Science Fair Project Ideas

Fire Science Fair Project Ideas Are you looking for a science fair project that involves fire or combustion? Here are some ideas for fire projects to get you brainstorming. What chemicals burn in different colors?What substances can mask the colors of flames?Which type of oil produces the least soot when it burns? You can collect soot (carbon black) by burning in a container and wiping it down between tests or by examining a filter paper (or coffee filter) placed in with the test oil.Analyze whether burning trash is a good alternative to landfills.Examine the effects of flame retardant chemicals on growing plants or on animals, such as insects or aquarium fish.Which common materials (e.g., paper, foam, cloth, vinyl) produce the worst smoke/air pollution when burned?Examine how controlled burning is used for forests and parks.Examine the effects of ash on soil composition.How does diminishing oxygen affect the appearance of a flame?Does it matter what type of wax is used to make a candle?Can you construct candles using liquid oils or other fuels besides wax? More Science Fair Project Ideas

MARKETING Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

MARKETING - Essay Example In the present day, the motive behind production is no more about searching customer but delighting customers through path of customization and research. According to the American Marketing Association, Marketing is â€Å"an organizational function and a set of process for creating, communicating, and delivering value to customers and managing customer relationship is a way that benefits the organization and its stakeholders† (AMA, 2004). Financial success fully depends upon right marketing. Corporate goals are achieved through meeting customer needs and delighting customer expectancy and right marketing is the way to it. Right marketing is obtained through research oriented planning and execution of those marketing strategy effectively. Ten types of entities can be marketed by marketers to these categories of market. These entities include properties, services, organization, events, place, goods, information, experiences, persons, and ideas. All organizations that work under this umbrella need marketing to sustain in ever rising competitive market of the present day. Due to the affects of globalization, changing technology, deregulations, privatization, customer empowerment, customization, increasing competition, there has been a remarkable change in behavior of market. It is facing new challenges and new opportunities with changing environment. Even market leaders like GE, Microsoft, Walt Mart, Intel, and Nike are kept on their toes. In order to ensure sustainable development, the companies need to remain flexible and adaptable to the external situations. Marketing function survives on its fundamental core concepts as well as changing trends. Its fundamental concepts include needs which are basic requirements of an individual and can comprise of stated needs, unstated needs, real needs, secret needs, and delighted needs, whereas want and demand are specific needs towards a particular object (Kotler & Keller,

Five Skills that a Forensic Accountant Needs to Possess Research Paper

Five Skills that a Forensic Accountant Needs to Possess - Research Paper Example The country’s top accredited organization of accountants, AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) made a study on what are the top skills for a forensic accountant needs to possess to become effective with his or her job. The respondents of the study were academics and practitioners. a. Analytical and detail oriented Their study revealed that a forensic accountant has to be analytical. Both the academics and practitioners that a forensic accountant must have the analytical proficiency that would provide an invaluable insight to the practitioner in its engagements than the regular auditing and problem solving skills (AICPA a, nd). Frauds are deliberately concealed and uncovering them requires analytical skills and dedication to details in addition to the usual auditing and problem solving skills of accountants. b. Interpretive skills or intuitive investigative skills The ability to interpret data and simplify them were also ranked as the second among accounta nts and academics (AICPA a, nd). They complement the analytical skill of a forensic accountant for this skill allows the practitioner to determine the usefulness of such data. Other respondents called this intuitive investigative skills or the ability to intuitively associate information for it to be useful in any forensic accounting investigation (AICPA a, nd). c. Soft skills/effective oral communicator The ability to communicate effectively was deemed important in the practice of forensic accounting. This is both oral and written communication. This skill is essential for a forensic accountant to possess because the nature of the work requires the practitioner to provide an expert opinion either orally (i.e. giving expert opinion in court of laws, providing consultancy advise to clients) or in a form of a formal written report (AICPA a, nd ). Forensic accounting is such a complex discipline and the ability to simplify information and language that can be easily understood by verif ier of facts or clients is an essential skill. d. Skepticism In the study, some respondents wrote it as â€Å"skepticism† which is essential for an investigative work. This became an important skill of a forensic accountant in cases where the practitioner is tasked to uncover or investigate fraud. e. Ethical Being ethical is ranked as one of the top five skills of a forensic accountant because this skill is â€Å"consistent with the mission of the forensic accountant† (AICPA a, and pg. 11). In plain language, forensic accountants are the antidote to frauds and scams and if they themselves are susceptible to unethical behaviors which they are tasked to investigate and uncover, the general public will be left with nothing to shield them from such undesirable financial practices. In addition to these five skills that a forensic accountant must profess, the practitioner must also have the ability to review large volumes of financial statements and documents. A forensic acc ountant must also be grounded on the various business models that companies use. The practitioner must also be able to prepare and dispense expert reports under a strict timetable (Owojori and Asaolu, 2009).  

Floods in India Essay Example for Free

Floods in India Essay India, being a peninsular country and surrounded by the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, is quite prone to flood. As per the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the major flood prone areas of India cover almost 12.5% area of the country. Every year, flood, the most common disaster in India causes immense loss to the countrys property and lives. India Flood Prone Areas The states falling within the periphery of India Flood Prone Areas are West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Assam, Bihar, Gujrat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. The intense monsoon rains from southwest causes rivers like Brahmaputra, Ganga, Yamuna etc. to swell their banks, which in turn floods the adjacent areas. Over the past few decades, central India has become familiar with precipitation events like torrential rains and flash floods. The major flood prone areas in India are the river banks and deltas of Ravi, Yamuna-Sahibi, Gandak, Sutlej, Ganga, Ghaggar, Kosi, Teesta, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Mahananda, Damodar, Godavari, Mayurakshi, Sabarmati and their tributaries. Though the north-Indian plains prone to flood more, the India flood prone areas can be broadly categorized in three divisions: Besides the Ganga, rivers like Sarada, Rapti, Gandak and Ghagra causes flood in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. The Yamuna is famous for flooding Haryana and Delhi. Bihar experiences massive dangerous flood every year. River Burhi, Bagmati, Gandak, Kamla along with many small rivers contribute to that. In West Bengal, rivers like Mahananda, Bhagirathi, Damodar, Ajay etc. causes floods because of tidal effects and insufficient river channels. * Brahmaputra and Barak Basins: The river banks of Brahmaputra and Barak gets flooded due to the Surplus water found in the Brahmaputra basin and the Barak basin. These rivers along with their tributaries flood the northeastern states like West Bengal, Assam and Sikkim. Jaldakha, Teesta and Torsa in northern West Bengal and rivers in Manipur often overflow their banks. * Central India and Deccan Rivers Basin: In Orissa, spilling over of river banks by Mahanadi, Baitarni and Brahmani causes havoc. The deltaic area formed by these three rivers is thickly populated. Even some small rivers of Kerala and mud stream from the nearby hills add on to the destruction. Southern and central India observes floods caused by Narmada, Godavari, Tapi, Krishna and Mahanadi due to heavy rainfall. Cyclonic storms in the deltaic regions of Godavari, Mahanadi and Krishna even floods the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Tamil Nadu occasionally.

Worldwide Denial of Global Warming Essay -- Essays Papers Environment

Worldwide Denial of Global Warming As human beings, we need to respect the environment in which we live. This is important to greater our future and that of others to follow. Very few people realize that their daily behaviors have a direct impact on the environment, the atmosphere in particular. By emitting harmful gasses into the air on a daily basis is one of the main reasons of such climate changes. People notice such changes and yet don't do anything to help the situation. Wee don't realize the risks that such changes in temperature pose. Rather than trying to conserve gas or taking cold showers, we still go on through our daily activities reluctant to change that will in time benefit the earth. By conserving gas and other harmful emissions like oil and electricity we are lessening the risks of global warming. By recognizing the potential risks, it will become easier to find practical solutions. There have been some steps toward conserving gas. Hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular among Americans and as well as other consumers. These cars will use less gas to get more mileage. Honda, is taking .steps toward lowering harmful gasses into the atmosphere by introducing these futuristic cars to the American public The main purpose of these cars is to reduce the dependency on gas for automobiles. As cheap college students, we all know how expensive gas is today, wouldn?t you rather save all the money you spend on gas and use it for other things like beer, clothes or other recreational purposes. The effects of global warming will have a lasting impact on the entire world. All people in all nations will experience unfortunate outcomes if something isn?t done soon. ... ...ed are called ?renewables.? ?Renewable energy technologies use solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, or biomass energy? (United States EPA). Such new technologies are clean compared with traditional energy technologies, which burn fossil fuels such as oil and gas and can be used to solve many environmental problems. Work cited Frazier, Ian. ?As The World Burns.? Mother Jones March/Apr. 2003: Vo.28. 2: Academic Search Premier. EBSCO Marshall, George and Mark Lynas. ?Why We Don?t Give A Damn.? New Statesman 21 Jan. 2003: 132. 4666: 18+.Academic Search Premier. EBSCO Schulz, Kathryn. ?Global Warming Right Now.? Rolling Stone 20 Feb. 2003: Iss.916 Academic Search Premier. EBSCO United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Renewable Energy: The Road from Global Warming To a Cleaner Future Office of Policy. September 1998.

Marketing and B2b Internet Car

Motrada Handels GmbH, an internet/software service company in Austria, generally provides business-to-business remarketing car trading service with an online application. The company is founded by Guillaume Hebrard- a professional sales person in car sales. While working in the automobile industry, Guillaume realized the inefficiency and difficulty in second-hand car trading industry, he came up with the idea of establishing an online trading platform. The idea was taken into action in 2002 and the company was finally founded in Vienna/Austria by G Hebrard and a financial partner in 2005. Case Analysis I.Opportunities for Motrada Ltd. The Motrada platform, as a first B2B internet car transaction marketplace, is completely a new idea to the electronic commerce market. As the founder of Motrada, Guillaume thought of the opportunity of cars transactions online, he defined this type of business as a gap in the market, which meant he would be the first to own the most chances. Prospects o f B2B There are many reasons for Guillaume to choose B2B rather than B2C as the only method for Motrada platform. The B2B e-commerce environment is much more promising Tthan B2C. First, the B2B mode is more professional than B2C.Being registered by professional business sellers and buyers, this type of platform is easier to manage. Most of registered customers have been working in the industry for years, so know the general situation about the industry. The website for B2B car trading can not only looks more professional but also more targeted. Secondly, by purchasing in large quantities and shortening the production cycle, the business can earn much more profits based on expenses minimization. Third, B2B mode occupies the absolute advantage and more market shares than other modes in e-commerce. B2B must be the main force in future e-commerce marketpla