Staying Together

Ralston 1

Bailey Ralston

Ms. Parkinson

English IIIB

14 March 2016

Staying Together

            Throughout the book so far George and Lennie have been traveling together from town to town chasing after their American Dream. What keeps these two together is this American Dream. George has the brains to make it on his own. The one thing he lacks is the strength to work on a ranch and stay competitive in the workforce. Lennie however, provides this strength for George, “He can put up a four hundred pound bale” (Steinbeck 22). George can use Lennie’s strength and his obedience so that he can live The American Dream. It seems as if Lennie is being taken advantage of. But this however is not the case, by following George’s leadership Lennie is able to work towards his American Dream. This American Dream that they are pursuing is the hope that all who survived the Dust Bowl have ever wanted. A Dream that they can live on their own land and become independent. This common goal is why these two stick together.

Harlem Renaissance Writer: Countee Cullen

Bailey Ralston 

Ms.Parkinson 

English IIIB 

7 March 2016 

Lessons from Harlem 

From the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance writer Countee Cullen, it can be learned that when a person takes an action that goes against society it opens a path. If someone takes an action against social norms it opens a path. This path can and will be followed by others that believe in the same idea. In the poem Tableau, it is said "That lightning brilliant as a sword should blaze the path of thunder"(Cullen 11-12). In Tableau, this lightning is the action of a black boy and a white boy holding hands. This is seen as unorthodox to both blacks and whites.During this time there is a lot of path making. These actions allow for others to be inspired to stand up for what they believe in. This can be seen later in the civil rights movements.