Preview

The Role Of Companionship In Louis Lowry's 'Number The Stars'

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2193 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Role Of Companionship In Louis Lowry's 'Number The Stars'
Companionship Can Change a Life Louis Lowry skillfully captures a time where food shortages were a given, fear was ever present, riots were synonymous with regular life, and death eminent in her historical drama Number the Stars, which emphasizes how a devoted friend can change the life of another.Lowry elaborates on the lengths friends go to protect one another by engaging the reader with Annemarie’s thoughts,pathos expressed through the character emotions, symbolism of Ellen’s necklace and growing trust between companions.The author’s purpose is to describe how the risks and a sacrifices a friend will make in order to save someone she loves. The writer entertains her audience of young readers interested in the holocaust by using an emotional …show more content…
In Ellen’s case, her obliviousness about the coffin saved her when the soldiers confronted the Johansen's about the fake funeral, Annemarie put Ellen’s safety above the needs of her curiosity to do make a decisions. In terms of friendship, selfless decisions like these allowed Annemarie and Ellen to be dependable on each other, the theme also built off off the large amount of trust Ellen had on the Johansen’s to help her. Moreover in Steinback’s novel the brother both Lennie and George had a strong companionship of years, yet when Lennie was giving himself a death sentence George had to put him out of his misery in the best way possible, by killing him himself as they talked about fantasies, after Lennie is gone, Slim a friend tells George, ""You had, George. I swear you hadda” (Steinback, 1993, p. 110). Lennie would have caused more disruption and George - like Annemarie- sacrificed his dream ranch with Lennie to put him out of his misery of life where there was always a manhunt after him.Yet a difference between the two theme novels is the components that built the companionship, in Number the Stars Ellen was comfortable staying at the Johansen's as she trusted them and their judgment; in contrast, in Of Mice and Men George couldn’t trust Lennie or his judgment, as Lennie killed everything he touched and never realized his mistake. Another example of trust is when Annemarie never doubted Ellen’s promise, “I’ll be back some day , I promise” ( Lowry, 1989,p.96). The theme is strongly displayed in this as the their

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    World War II was and still is the most deadly war of all time, leaving 60 million people dead and countless others injured. It involved several nations, but left an impression on almost all nations worldwide. One word that often resonates from the thought of World War II is “holocaust.” It is something that, to this day, is taught in schools and is an important, yet tragic part of history. There are multiple famous pieces of literature that capture just how horrendous this war was, and some of the most impactful pieces are the ones written at the time of the war from someone’s perspective. Readers are able to view Paris just as it was during World War II through Irene Nemirovsky’s Suite Francaise. This book depicts what life was like in France in the 1940s, and…

    • 969 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck tells the story of two best friends living life on the run, struggling to keep a steady job working as ranch hands. George and Lennie are faced with many obstacles throughout the course of this book, beginning with Lennie and his slow mindedness, George is always side by side with Lennie, practically holding his hand to coach him through life. The story begins with the two men running away from Weed, the ranch they were previously employed at; we later find that George and Lennie had to flee after Lennie had touched a ladies dress and made her feel uncomfortable. Upon arrival at the new ranch, George had told Lennie to stay away from Curley’s wife, Lennie disobeyed George and similar trouble has followed them.…

    • 628 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    John Steinbeck wrote a book called “Of Mice and Men.” Of Mice and Men is an engaging novel about two migrant workers, Lennie and George, who are trying to obtain their dreams of having their own home together. George is small and quick and is the alpha. The other is Lennie, who is big and strong, but has a mental disability, making him slow and in constant need of help and guidance. Throughout the book, trouble becomes increasingly worse, and George ends up having to kill Lennie. Most people believe that is was George’s responsibility to look after Lennie, making his killing unjustified. However, George was justified in killing Lennie because Lennie had previously hurt people, Lennie is not going to get a trial, and George cannot always be there for Lennie.…

    • 477 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gorge and Lennie

    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The fact that George and Lennie, the two main characters of the book ‘of mice and men’ written by John Steinbeck, ‘string along together’ to fulfill their American dream is unusual in the world of ranch hands. George and Lennie know each other since they were kids, Lennie is attached to George and they are like brothers to each other ever since. Lennie isn’t really bright; however he was useful, that is why George a takes care of Lennie and takes Lennie with him to do jobs. Lennie always get in trouble for his love of feeling soft things and George has to help him get out of it. As the story progresses, it is foreseen that at some point George won’t be able to cover for Lennie anymore and the end of their relationship.…

    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the book Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck, two men travel together to escape their pasts. They arrive at a ranch in the Salinas Valley with hopes to achieve their ultimate dream; to buy a place to call their own. Lennie, who is a simple-minded man, and George, who is just a typical guy are brought together and make a lasting friendship out of the loneliness of each man. While spending time on the farm George and Lennie meet some friendly characters, but because of some accidental deaths their dreams drift away. Foreshadowing may create a literary theme.…

    • 1272 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “The greatest gift of life is friendship,” (Hubert H. Humphrey) and George and Lennie both receive that through each other. This brotherhood is essential to their achievements as well as their failures throughout Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men.” the pairing of George and Lennie lets the reader see George Milton as smart, the leader, a hero. Linnie Small comes off as being mentally handicapped, and hard working, and the troublemaker. An odd pairing but one that is necessary and one that is essential to the story’s plot.…

    • 476 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, is a work of fiction that depicts two very opposite characters sharing an unusual relationship with one another. The two men depend on each other to get through the tough times that they encounter while working as ranch-hands on a farm. Of the two men, Lennie is the most dependent. Due to his mental disability, Lennie relies entirely on George, a small, quick-witted man who considers himself as the caretaker of Lennie. The two characters not only comfort and protect one another, but they also share a dream of one day owning their very own ranch where they can grow their food, and tend their own livestock. As the story progresses, the author reveals the unique relationships shared between the two men. In the story “Of…

    • 1627 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    In life we are part of many roles that create dangers we face that may lie beyond our understanding. Even though these roles are hard to understand, they can give meaning to our life. In John 's Steinbeck "Of Mice and Men," we see these men 's day to day lives, the main character; George takes care of his friend Lennie who has difficulties understanding the rules of the world we live in. Through the story there are many ups and downs mostly involving Lennie, who is trying to see through the eyes of George and to do and be as George is. For this reason George is constantly trying to think of what is best for Lennie. Through all of this they face even more dangers and still try to find a way to raise money for a farm to call their own. George and Lennie show how the dangers we face can affect our lives for the better while everything fails around them. Danger is important in our lives, because it gives us the drive to go through day to day lives.…

    • 1369 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Lennie Character Analysis

    • 440 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Regardless to the fact Lennie is considered one of the principle characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’, he is arguably the least exciting. Throughout the novel he seems to be the same person as on the first pages, enduring no development, growth or significant changes. His character is very simple, in most scenes he is in, it is reinforced that he is very strong, he enjoys petting soft things and is devoted to George and the American Dream, that he and George will someday own a farm. It is this simplicity and helplessness in everyday life that earns the readers sympathy, and also forms the idea in the reader’s mind that Lennie is doomed. The powerful impact is created by the inevitability of Lennie’s death, so the reader’s sympathy and understanding…

    • 440 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Number the Stars is a very touching, interesting, and realistic book. In other words, I liked it very, very, very much. It taught me a lot about the German occupation during World War II, especially in Denmark. I had learned before in school about how the Nazis mistreated Jews, tortured them, and even killed them in concentration camps. By reading Number the Stars, I learned even more about normal Danish citizens and how their daily lives were affected by the war. Specifically, the book helped me understand what it was like for all citizens, including non-Jews, to live in countries where German occupation existed; they lived in constant fear. Lois Lowry’s writing was easy to read and so understandable that it made the whole story, and the history, come alive. This book deals with sensitive topics of friendship, parenting, sense of community and service. It also made me think about duty, courage and sacrifice. Therefore, I say again what I already said before: that I loved Number the Stars a lot and would recommend it highly!!!…

    • 1043 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Elie Wiesel Influences

    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The book “Night” is about a boy that had lived in a holocaust camp. In chapter 3 it explains what he seen and how he feels as though watching so many people die in front of his eyes has made a huge impact in…

    • 727 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dreams build ambition, but when a dream becomes deferred, a person’s personality and mentality can change. In both John Steinbeck’s novels, Of Mice and Men and The Pearl display the tragic results of one’s dreams not being achieved is presented. Evidence of the tragedy and disappointment of unfulfilled dreams is expressed through George and Lennie, Kino, and Crooks. Unfilled dreams manifested into George and Lennie, Kino, and Crooks and is revealed through their actions.…

    • 638 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Of Mice And Men Reflection

    • 1463 Words
    • 6 Pages

    “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck is known as one of the best novels of the 20th century. This world renown book follows the of a tale of adversity an abnormal friendship endures which, includes, the small, quick witted man affiliated with the name George Milton and the simple minded naive lunk known as Lennie Smalls. Though they may not seem like the quintessential that Bonnie and Clyde may have been or even Sherlock and Watson were, but they had a certain je ne sais quoi about them that could endure through all odds they somehow found a way to develop a strong bond that could only be deteriorated by death. Without the other, the amalgam known as George and Lennie would cause “Of Mice and Men”to be lacking the panache that it so indubitably…

    • 1463 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Of Mice and Men

    • 2277 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Can a book with impure values be considered a classic? Of Mice and Men speaks about the anger within the American society. Steinbeck’s straightforward way of expressing his opinion appeals to many readers who like to see life as it really is. This well-known novel has influenced many people, and continues to influence people today. Despite some impurity in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, the book should be considered a classic due to it is honesty, truth, loveliness, justice and good report.…

    • 2277 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    *To introduce what I am writing about I will start off by saying I have chosen some interesting facts to compare between the books number the stars and the movie miracle at midnight. They are both about Jews trying to get away from the Nazis. I will compare the Star of David necklace in both of them also the family members and there characteristics.…

    • 301 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays