Litwit Lounge discussion

Of Mice and Men Read this short book yesterday, it was one of daughter's recent literature selections at school. Interesting story, frustrating and sad that Lennie could not understand his own strength.

Charly wrote: Isn't it the case that we all at times exercise strength to the detriment of others without recognizing the hurt we may have inflicted.

That is a sobering thought, I suppose you're right, "at times" we do just that. :\

As a teen, I doubt I would have gotten the full benefit from many of the classics I've read as an adult.

I read this for the first time a few weeks ago. I didn't notice so much the personalities of Lennie and George as individuals. I felt the story was more about who each of them was able to be because of their relationship. Lennie was able to live in 'the world' as a productive person rather than being confined to an institution as a burden on society and George was able to dream because Lennie dreamed. Without the other, each would be so much less than he could be.

Charley said: I think at times we so try to improve our strengths that we don't recognize when they may cause others discomfort if for no other reason than they feel they are not as strong in that area.

You certainly gave me a lot to think about there, Charly. I've been applying that possibility in some other places, and well, again, it has really made me think. I guess that is how it is that some people can get up and make (what we think) is a great speech and then turn around and tell us how nervous and inadequate that they felt.

Dan wrote:Lennie was able to live in 'the world' as a productive person rather than being confined to an institution as a burden on society and George was able to dream because Lennie dreamed. Without the other, each would be so much less than he could be.

I like this very much. A good ideal for just about any relationship between people.

...all great teams use the complimentary strengths of the team members to be a great team. Exactly! it doesn't make sense to me that a team all have the exact same strengths. A sports team, for example, has different positions to be played. It would not be beneficial to a baseball team if everyone was a great pitcher, or there would be no strength in the outfield. It can be frustrating when those different attributes cause others to feel threatened, rather than appreciated as complementary. What I was saying before though is sometimes a person may work so hard to perform despite a weakness that others mistake that performance as a strength.

Charly wrote: In a sense then I guess our question of relationships comes down to whether the parties can recognize the appropriate strengths of the members to reflect the strongest team? Yes, recognize and then appreciate the strengths and differences. Just as Lennie and George did -- perhaps this is what made it become a classic... :)