Defeated Hope in John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men :: Steinbeck Of Mice and Men Essays

Defeated Hope in Of Mice and Men When discussing the thematics of Steinbeck's novel, we would do well to first examine the title, which is an allusion to a line of Robert Burns, a Scottish poet: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft aglay." Translated into modern English, the verse reads: "The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry." This cynical statement is at the heart of the novel's action and serves as a foreshadowing prophecy of all that is to come. For, indeed, the novels two main characters do have a scheme, a specific dream of changing their current way of life in order to have their own place and work only for themselves. The tragedy, of course, lies in the fact that no matter how elaborately our heroes plan, regardless of how intensely they hope and dream, their plan does not find fulfillment. This is a novel of defeated hope and the harsh reality of the American Dream. George and Lennie are poor homeless migrant workers, doomed to a life of wandering and toil in which they are never able to reap the fruits of their labor. Their desires may not seem so unfamiliar to any other American: a place of their own, the opportunity to work for themselves and harvest what they sow with no one to take anything from them or give them orders. George and Lennie desperately cling to the notion that they are different from other workers who drift from ranch to ranch because, unlike the others, they have a future and each other. But characters like Crooks and Curley's wife serve as reminders that George and Lennie are no different from anyone who wants something of his or her own. All the characters (all the ones that Steinbeck has developed, at least) wish to change their lives in some fashion, but none are capable of doing so; they all have dreams, and it is only the dream that varies from person to person. Curley's wife has already had her dream of being an actress pass her by and now must live a life of empty hope. Crooks' situation hints at a much deeper oppression than that of the white worker in America-the oppression of the black people. Through Crooks, Steinbeck exposes the bitterness, the anger, and the helplessness of the black American who struggles to be recognized as a human being, let alone have a place of his own. Defeated Hope in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men :: Steinbeck Of Mice and Men Essays Defeated Hope in Of Mice and Men When discussing the thematics of Steinbeck's novel, we would do well to first examine the title, which is an allusion to a line of Robert Burns, a Scottish poet: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft aglay." Translated into modern English, the verse reads: "The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry." This cynical statement is at the heart of the novel's action and serves as a foreshadowing prophecy of all that is to come. For, indeed, the novels two main characters do have a scheme, a specific dream of changing their current way of life in order to have their own place and work only for themselves. The tragedy, of course, lies in the fact that no matter how elaborately our heroes plan, regardless of how intensely they hope and dream, their plan does not find fulfillment. This is a novel of defeated hope and the harsh reality of the American Dream. George and Lennie are poor homeless migrant workers, doomed to a life of wandering and toil in which they are never able to reap the fruits of their labor. Their desires may not seem so unfamiliar to any other American: a place of their own, the opportunity to work for themselves and harvest what they sow with no one to take anything from them or give them orders. George and Lennie desperately cling to the notion that they are different from other workers who drift from ranch to ranch because, unlike the others, they have a future and each other. But characters like Crooks and Curley's wife serve as reminders that George and Lennie are no different from anyone who wants something of his or her own. All the characters (all the ones that Steinbeck has developed, at least) wish to change their lives in some fashion, but none are capable of doing so; they all have dreams, and it is only the dream that varies from person to person. Curley's wife has already had her dream of being an actress pass her by and now must live a life of empty hope. Crooks' situation hints at a much deeper oppression than that of the white worker in America-the oppression of the black people. Through Crooks, Steinbeck exposes the bitterness, the anger, and the helplessness of the black American who struggles to be recognized as a human being, let alone have a place of his own.

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Essay

Comprehensive Agrarian ReformPresentation Transcript 1. The 1987 Philippine Constitution 2. Article 13Social Justice and Human Rights(R.A. 6657-Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) 3. Constitution of the Philippines the supreme law of the Philippines democratic and republican State enacted in 1987, during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, and is popularly known as the â€Å"1987 Constitution†. The Constitution is divided into 18 parts, excluding the Preamble, which are called Articles. 4. Social Justice and Human Rights refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. based on the concepts of human rights and equality and involves a greater degree of economic egalitarianism through progressive taxation, income redistribution, or even property redistribution. 5. Aim to achieve what developmental economists refer to as moreequality of opportunity than may currently exist in some societies. to manufacture equality of outcome in cases where incidental inequalities appear in a procedurally just system. 6. PreambleWe, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution. 7. Article XIII – Social Justice and Human Rights Labor Agrarian and Natural Resources Reform Urban Land Reform and Housing Health Women Role and Rights of People’s Organizations Human Rights 8. Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program a Philippine state policy that ensures and promotes welfare of landless farmers and farm workers, as well as elevation of social justice and equity among rural areas. CARP was established by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 (CARL). aimed for a nation with equitable land ownership and empowered agrarian reform beneficiaries while, at least, improving social lives. enacted by the 8th Congress of the Philippines and signed by Aquino on June 10, 1988. 9. Objective To successfully devise land reform in Philippines. To improve the economic and social status of the beneficiaries  of land reform in Philippines. 10. Objectives of Agrarian Reform – Political to put an end to conflicts pertaining to land ownership. to bring about harmony between the rural people and the urban residents. bringing stability in the political set up of the country.Objective of Agrarian Reform – Social bringing about equality in terms of opportunities, income as well as wealth. 11. Objectives of Agrarian Reform – Economic Enhancing agricultural production Enhancing agricultural productivity Bettering capital formation Providing employment to more agricultural workers Enhancing demand for raw materials and services Improving balance of payments by facilitating export activitiesTrying to increase production at home so that imports do not have to be relied upon. Enhancing cooperation as well as regulation between agricultural sector and the non agricultural sector. 12. CARP Major Feature It provides for the coverage of all agricultural lands regardless of cropsproduced or tenurial status of the tiller; It recognizes as beneficiaries of the program all workers in the land giventhat they are landless and willing to till the land; It provides for the delivery of support services to program beneficiaries; It provides for arrangements that ensure the tenurial security of farmersand farm workers such as the leasehold arrangement, stock distributionoption and production and profit sharing; and It creates an adjudication body that will resolve agrarian disputes. 13. R.A. 6657 Beneficiaries all agricultural lesseesshare tenants regardless: cropsregular farm workersseasonal farm workersother farm workers farmer’s organization cooperatives agricultural graduatesrural womenveterans and relatives of enlisted men and womenretirees of the AFP and the Integrated National Policerebel returnees and surrenderees 14. Qualifications of an Agrarian Reform Beneficiariesa. be landless;b. be at least 15 years old or head of the family at the time the property was transferred in the name of the Republic of the Philippines; andc. have the willingness, ability and aptitude to cultivate the land and make it as productive as possible. (Sec. 23, RA 6657)Note: Items (b) and (c) above are meant to ensure that the recipients of the land will judiciously use it and make it a productive agricultural land 15. Components of CARP Land Tenure ImprovementProgram Beneficiaries DevelopmentAgrarian Justice Delivery 16. Principles of CARPhighest consideration to the welfare of the landless farmers and farm workers due regard to the rights of landowners to  just compensation recognition of the rights of farmers, farm workers, landowners, cooperatives, and other independent organizations to participate in the planning, organization, and management of CARP provision of support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research provision of adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support services 17. CARP IMPLEMENTING AGENCIESDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Department of Agriculture (DA) Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Land Registration Authority (LRA) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Department of Labor and Employment – Bureau of Rural Workers (DOLE-BRW) 18. Scope of CARP The ownership or control of about 10.3 million hectares of agricultural land, representing about one-third of the total land area of the Philippines, shall be transferred over a ten year period to an estimated 3.9 million beneficiaries. 19. Lands Covered by CARPall alienable and disposable lands of the public domain devoted to or suitable to agriculture;all lands of the public domain in excess of the specific limits as determined by Congress;all other lands owned by the government devoted to or suitable to agriculture; and all private lands devoted to or suitable to agriculture regardless of the agricultural products raised or that can be raised therein. (Section 4, RA 6657) 20. Lands Not Covered by CARPthose which are not suitable for agriculture, and those which are classified as mineral, forest, residential, commercial or industrial land;those which have been classified and approved as non-agricultural prior to 15 June 1988 as ruled under Department of Justice Opinion No. 44, Series of 1990;those which are exempt pursuant to Sec. 10, RA 6657; those which are devoted to poultry, swine, or livestock raising as of June 15, 1988 pursuant to the Supreme Court ruling on Luz Farms vs. The Honorable Secretary of Agrarian Reform (G.R. No. 86339, 4 December 1990); andthose which are retained by the landowner (not covered insofar as land acquisition and distribution but covered with respect to other provisions, particularly leasehold) 21. Lands Exempted by CARP Coverage Lands actually, directly, and exclusively used and found to be necessary for parks, wildlife, forest reserves, reforestation, fish sanctuaries and breeding grounds, watersheds and mangroves, national defense, school sites and campuses including experimental farm stations operated by public or private schools for  education purposes, seeds and seedlings research and pilot production centers, church sites and convents appurtenant thereto, mosque sites and Islamic centers appurtenant thereto, communal burial grounds and cemeteries, penal colonies and penal farms actually worked by the inmates, and government and private research and quarantine centers; and Lands with eighteen percent (18%) slope and over, except those already developed as of 15 June 1988. (Sec. 10, RA 6657) 22. Proof of Ownership given to Beneficiariesa. Emancipation Patents (EPs) for OLT lands;b. Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) for CA, VOS, and EO 407 lands, resettlement areas and landed estates; andc. Free Patents for public lands.Note: Beneficiaries of the Integrated Social Forestry Program covering agro-forestry public lands whose ownership cannot be transferred, received Certificates of Stewardship Contract (CSCs) which are good for 25 years, renewable for another 25 years. 23. Department of Agrarian Reform the lead implementing agency of CARP. undertakes land tenure improvement and development of program beneficiaries. conducts land survey in resettlement areas. undertakes land acquisition and distribution and land management studies. orchestrates the delivery of support services to farmer-beneficiaries andpromotes the development of viable agrarian reform communities. 24. Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.orghttp://1987-philippineconstitution.blogspot.comhttp://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/apcity/unpan005112.p

Powerful Symbols in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora...

Powerful Symbols in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston In 1937, upon the first publication of Their Eyes Were Watching God, the most influential black writer of his time, Richard Wright, stated that the novel carries no theme, no message, [and] no thought. Wrights powerful critique epitomized a nations attitude toward Zora Neale Hurstons second novel. African-American critics read a book that they felt satisfied the white mans stereotype of African-American culture and the humor which Caucasians saw in that prejudice. However, those critics and most of America overlooked the wonderful use of imagery, symbolism, and thematic application of one African-American females journey into womanhood and†¦show more content†¦She apparently understands and appreciates the fertilization and procreation in nature and the beauty of the process. Immediately following this episode, Janie fulfills her sexual urge by kissing Johnny Taylor over the fence. Nanny catches Janie in the act and forces Janie into womanhood by arranging her marriage to u nattractive landowner Logan Killicks. Throughout the entire novel, Janie refers to the blossoming pear tree as a symbol of her ideal relationship, and compares her husbands to the harmony she witnessed between the bees and the blossoms of the pear tree. Janie sees the vision of Logan to be à ¬desecrating the pear tree,à ® as she does not love the man at all (13). On the contrary, she finds her true love in her marriage to Tea Cake, who à ¬could be a bee to a blossom Ãâ€" Crushing aromatic herbs with every step he tookà ® (102). As the pear tree is symbolic of Janies sexual epiphany and her ideal relationship, it also coincides with her quest for her true love. Her pear blossom wilts with her marriage to Logan Killicks, but it blooms again in another cycle with Tea Cake. Moreover, the reappearance of a gate prior to a critical life change is also symbolic to Janies quest for self-identity. In general, gates tend to be associated with new steps or episodes of life, and in Their Eyes Were Watching God Hurston often has JanieShow MoreRelatedGender Roles in Their Eyes Were Watching God1087 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Gender Roles in Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God During the 1900’s, women, specifically black women, were considered to be property of men in the United States, especially down south, in states such as Florida and Georgia. Legally, women had no voice. For example, if a woman was abused by her husband, the court system would not acknowledge it even if it did really happen. In the article â€Å"Sexism in the Early 1900’s†, Becca Woltemath states that â€Å"†¦a woman’s job is to take care of the houseRead MoreZora Neale Hurston A Genius of the South Essay1664 Words   |  7 PagesZora Neale Hurston is a trailblazer. Back then people ridiculed her, but she felt the pride and dignity within herself. 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Hourston grew up in this culturally affirming setting due to her father’s mentality, despite frequent confrontations with her preacher-father, she lived a happy childhood. Her father was said to crush her â€Å"wild† spirit and later influence her views on life. Her mother, on the other hand, urged Hurston and her siblings to jump at de sun. Hurston explained, We mightRead MoreTheir Eyes Were Watching God By Zora Neale Hurston1078 Words   |  5 PagesIn the novel, Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston there are many hidden symbols. The most important and strongest is the horizon, a glorious symbol portraying Janie’s dream, a lifelong search for true love and happiness. The horizon is created through Janie’s tough experiences seeking to find the future. Hurston suggests, She searched as much of the world she could and leaned over to gaze up and down the road. Looking, waiting, breathing short with impatience. Waiting for the worldRead MoreCommunication Is The Connection Of Our Society2922 Words   |  12 Pagesour society though fashion, media, etc. Symbolism and symbols are either used or somehow shaped in our everyday lives of literature. Defining symbolism; is the use of symbols to carry ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their actual sense; generally, people think symbols are just giving objects with life like meanings on a deeper level and understanding, which is true but, it’s how you give each symbol its meaning, and how it relate to your life. AccordingRead More Colorism: Creating a Racial Divide in the African American Community1920 Words   |  8 PagesDuring the mid-twentieth century African Americans were at the lowermost tier of societys hierarchy. However within th e black race, there was a further social division between lighter-skinned and darker-skinned African Americans. A black individual with more Caucasian features signified high status and beauty which was sought after by members of the African American community (Dibleck). In Zora Neale Hurstons novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, the author uses Janie Crawford to depict how colorismRead More Searching for an Inner-Self in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston11392 Words   |  46 PagesSearching for an Inner-Self in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston In the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston a young girl named Janie begins her life unknown to herself. She searches for the horizon as it illustrates the distance one must travel in order to distinguish between illusion and reality, dream and truth, role and self? (Hemenway 75). She is unaware of life?s two most precious gifts: love and the truth. 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