The Bunkhouse Essay Example
What does the bunkhouse show us about the lives of the ranch hands?
When George and Lennie arrive at the bunkhouse, in front of them stood two bunks and 8 beds. The room was only small so sharing a room with 8 other ranch hands suggests no personal space, a crowded environment with no peace and quiet.
At the end of each bed, a small ‘apple box’ was provided to hold personal belongings.
Having such a small space to keep all belongings indicates a lack of them. Ranch hands are always on the move, from farm to farm, walking from one state to another in aid to find a job, having a lot of possessions would make the treks harder and longer so having few goods will make the journey faster.
A shortage of space alongside the other ranch hands can also explain the reason for the small storage.
The book suggests a lack of care and no attention to detail as it describes the bunk house’s characteristics. The ‘white wash walls’ and the ‘floor unpainted’ does not portray a good quality and high standard of living. The room seems to have no life or a sense of home to it; this may be because a ranch hand would never usually stay at the ranch for a long period of time and your perception of the bunkhouse should not be home-like.
“And those Western magazines ranch men love to read and scoff at and secretly believe.”
The Western magazines may symbolize the perceived impossibility of the American Dream. Reading the magazines could perhaps give ranch hands such as George and Lennie hope for the future. While others may find contentment in riches, George and Lennie find their happiness in hope.
The small windows imply a shortage of light and air, with the room being small, the bunkhouse sounds some what like an enclosed confinement.
Time, Place:
Salinas Valley, California during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
Background:
Lennie Small and his friend, George Milton, were forced to leave their homes because Lennie was accused of
When George and Lennie arrive at the bunkhouse, in front of them stood two bunks and 8 beds. The room was only small so sharing a room with 8 other ranch hands suggests no personal space, a crowded environment with no peace and quiet.
At the end of each bed, a small ‘apple box’ was provided to hold personal belongings.
Having such a small space to keep all belongings indicates a lack of them. Ranch hands are always on the move, from farm to farm, walking from one state to another in aid to find a job, having a lot of possessions would make the treks harder and longer so having few goods will make the journey faster.
A shortage of space alongside the other ranch hands can also explain the reason for the small storage.
The book suggests a lack of care and no attention to detail as it describes the bunk house’s characteristics. The ‘white wash walls’ and the ‘floor unpainted’ does not portray a good quality and high standard of living. The room seems to have no life or a sense of home to it; this may be because a ranch hand would never usually stay at the ranch for a long period of time and your perception of the bunkhouse should not be home-like.
“And those Western magazines ranch men love to read and scoff at and secretly believe.”
The Western magazines may symbolize the perceived impossibility of the American Dream. Reading the magazines could perhaps give ranch hands such as George and Lennie hope for the future. While others may find contentment in riches, George and Lennie find their happiness in hope.
The small windows imply a shortage of light and air, with the room being small, the bunkhouse sounds some what like an enclosed confinement.
Time, Place:
Salinas Valley, California during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
Background:
Lennie Small and his friend, George Milton, were forced to leave their homes because Lennie was accused of