George stated that “Lennie don’t know no rules” earlier in the novel. Later, Lennie simply walks into Crooks’ room because he doesn’t “know” the rules of a racist society.
In this case, was it so bad that Lennie didn’t understand the rules of the ranch/ society? What is the author then saying about those who follow the ridiculous rules of society?
In this case it's great that Lennie did not know the rules because the "rule" in this case is absurd. I think "rules" like segregation and other inhumane acts were brought on because of people thinking as a whole, like a mob. Instead of being independent and being an individual, one alpha decided what was what and it was just a domino effect from that point. It took another alpha of a person to step and change these corrupt views society had back then. I think that's what the author was saying.
ReplyDeleteI feel that not knowing the "rules" of segregation could get him in trouble, so yes I think it could be bad. Because back in the day even being close friends with a black person could mean the destruction of your image.Also the black man could get blamed for the bad things Lennie got into. Think about it back then would they believe that a black man did something wrong or the white man?
ReplyDelete@ s.dozier:
ReplyDeleteIt is great that Lennie dose not understand such rules, at least it gets him hurt in a brawl. Lennie's lack of understanding leads him into trouble, and without George he could end up really hurt. The rules may not be a good thing, but knowing them helps keep you out of risks and trouble.
@ARoss but Lennie didn't get hurt when breaking Curley's hand which has nothing to do with this question. This question is pertaining to Lennie's encounter with Crooks who is African American.
ReplyDeleteI also think the author is trying to bring out the horrible side of human beings and that the world should just be as simple as Lennie's world. The world we live in today have the same ridiculous rules we just do not state them out loud. In fact when someone desides to voice all of the worlds unspoken rules we scoff at them to make our selfs seem better and feel better about our selfs and the "rules".
ReplyDelete@Dwolf I think the world now compared to then is better regarding to what this question is really about & I think that's racism & segregation & although it still exists nowadays, look at your classmates right now. Very diverse, in their time this type of classroom with all these different nationalities wouldn't even have been imagined.
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ReplyDeleteI believe it is a very good thing that Lwnnie doesn't know the rules of the ranch or society. Lennie treats everyone equally, he doesn't believe or know in judgment. He is a very happy man. The author i making everyone else look like the bad guys because we judge everyone by either how they look, and we shouldn't do that because deep down a perso can e really good at heart, and you don't know what they've been through in their life. So i believe we are the cursed ones because we see the bad in everyone, people like Lennie see the good in everyone, no matter how much bad there i in them.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that it was bad that he didn't know anything about the rules because if our whole society was the same way that Lennie was, we would actually have a way easier life. I think that the author was trying to show that sometimes being clueless is a good thing.
ReplyDelete@ S.Dozier
ReplyDeleteThey’re more than one rule. Lennie didn't know how to prevent a fight, fight, or stop fighting. Lennie didn't really think what he did to Curly was wrong, just that it was something he wasn't suppose to do if he wanted to tend to rabbits, and couldn't understand why it happened.
Anyway, Curly managed to bloody Lennis' nose and probably would of done a lot more if George had not been there.
ARoss sAYS:
ReplyDeleteLennie doesn’t understand the rules of society. He can't understand why it's taboo to walk into a black man's room, or why it's wrong to stroke a girls dress while she's still wearing it. Lennie had a very simple life because of this; he was overjoyed by the smallest things. To Lennie there was nothing bad about not understanding the rules.
Since I’ve already read the entire book there are something’s I want to say that I can't, but as of chapter four, I'll say Lennie’s innocence allows him to escape the withdrawal and depression the other ranch hands get, and gives him a chance to believe he will get those rabbits some day. So the author is pointing out that when one does not follow the rules of society, in their minds they live in a simpler world.
Only for them though, their caretakers have to live a world much more complicated than they would have. They have to help these people survive, but also protects them from things they don't understand, and people who don’t understand them.
I agree with GAgosto
ReplyDelete"I think that the author was trying to show that sometimes being clueless is a good thing. "
NICE" So the author is pointing out that when one does not follow the rules of society, in their minds they live in a simpler world." It is the people "who don't understand" these people, who make it so difficult to be involuntarily ignorant.(disabled)
ReplyDeleteScored 10/26/11
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