Dreams

Morgan Watkins

Mrs. Parkinson

English III

15 March 2016

Dreams

    For so long, George and Lennie had a dream: A dream to “live off the fatta the lan’ ” (Steinbeck 14). They were working towards this goal to buy a plot of land for sale that has kept them motivated for a long time. The only thing was, George never thought it was going to happen. It was just a nice dream that comforted Lennie. But as soon as Candy offered his money and his will, George and Lennie realized “This thing they had never really believed in was coming true” (Steinbeck 60). The visualization of a goal, helped make their dream happen. This visualization is similar to the cross country coach telling us to set our goals for the season; especially the BHAG—Big Hairy Audacious Goal. Our coach has us set these huge goals to reach during our season that we think might be unreachable. Our picturing of this BHAG actually gives us a better chance of reaching it. In this case the house and the farm and the land was the BHAG. And George and Lennie—with the help of Candy—are that much closer to making it a possibility.

Tableau

Morgan Watkins

Mrs. Parkinson

English III

7 March 2016

“Tableau” by Countee Cullen

Countee Cullen titled a scene between two kids—one black and one white—“Tableau”, which is a picture or scene that is striking. Striking can either mean impressive, noticeable, or both. The boys are both noticeable and impressive when they are getting judged and stared at behind “lowered blinds”(5) by the “dark folk”(5), as the author compares them to “That lightning as brilliant as a sword”(11). And yet, they do not think of themselves as noticeable or impressive. “Oblivious to look and word / They pass, and see no wonder”(9-10). The boys are in pleasant oblivion. Just as they ignore, we should ignore. Do not listen to the whispers and the gossip and be in that pleasant oblivion.