Summer Assignment Essay

Adam Lauture
Friday, June 27. 2014

Part 1: Interpretation “ We must stop talking about the American Dream and start listening to the dreams of
Americans.” Max Beerbohm This quote means that the original intent of the American Dream has been long abandoned in our current society, and the people in the positions of power should instead attempt to listen to the people and their opinions. As such, I agree with this wholeheartedly. America was made on the foundation that the government would be “of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." [Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address]
However, in recent years it seems that corporate America has been put at a higher priority because it was seen as more important than the people's wants and desires, as seen with the recession. This eventually lead to the 'Occupy Wall Street' movement, which while it may have been controversial in some aspects, had a huge impact because it symbolized the people's outcry against social and economic injustice. “The American Dream is still alive out there, and hard work will get you there. You don't need to have an Ivy League education or have millions of dollars start up money. It can be done with an idea, hard work, and determination.” Bill Rancic In this quote, Bill Rancic is trying to say that anyone is able to achieve their own little version of the American Dream. It doesn't have to be what's expected (having the best education, the most money, or the best social status). We are all different people, and different people have different goals. As such, why should a person take the same steps as their peers if they want a different outcome? People with things like a high education or income are only qualities to their identity. They may look good on their appearance when a person has their initial impression, but that's it. They don't make a person significantly stronger or weaker. A person's desire to achieve greatness, and how much of an effort they are willing to put to accomplish that goal are the real important factors in life, and the foundation of everyone achieving their own American Dream. Without “an idea, hard work, and determination”, you can't go anywhere. Part II: Reading Comprehension, Interpretation & Analysis 1. The setting in the novel is in Soledad, California. In our times, Soledad is one of the most economically prosperous locations, and also has a thriving agriculture industry. However, this takes place during the Great Depression, where the economy was in its biggest downfall to date. The presence of agriculture can be evident in the first few paragraphs. They chronicle the amount of animals and plants spread throughout the land; warm water in the rivers, fresh willows and trees, and rabbits, dogs, and raccoons scurrying about. It's a timid, dormant setting. This makes it easier to focus on George and Lennie, who are the only ones for each other at this moment. They are in complete solitude, which in turn, is the English translation for Soledad. 2. The trouble George and Lennie had back in Weed was an attempted rape charge. Lennie tried to feel a girl's dress (according to George, just like a mouse). The girl however, didn't know that. When she jerked away, Lennie held on to the dress. Once she yelled, George and
Lennie immediately had to hide in an irrigation ditch to escape the police, then later flee the country. 3. George is a slim, dark faced man who has a sharp, strong physique and no tolerance for nonsense. In the duo, he's the brains of the operation. He thinks logically and takes caution to new situations, always planning everything out (an example: George drinking the 'scummy' lake water and Lennie being skeptical of it.) Even with his short temper, he only wants to watch over Lennie, who is a kind natured man who is much bigger than him in size. Although his actions are a little scatterbrained,

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