Most of the opening paragraphs of this section consits of a realistic descripton of the bunkhouse What detail suggests that the ranch hands have a romantic side?

Answer 1

Section Two's opening in "Of Mice and Men" describes an austere environment where each piece serves a specific function and is as utilitarian as possible; the door's latch was wood and even storage for personal belongings was provided by re-purposed apple boxes. The romanticism of this ranch is found, however, in the worker's "little articles" Steinbeck cites filling the shelves, notably the Western magazines. They signify the impervious nature of human hope that makes even the most downtrodden Depression migrant worker reach to hardly believable stories of adventure and masculine fulfillment- out of reach but maybe not out of possibility.

Answer 2

The detail that suggests the ranch hands have a romantic side is the scattered playing cards that show they engage in leisure activities that are more reflective and imaginative than just work-related. This implies a desire for escapism through games and hints at a softer, more sentimental aspect of their personalities.

Answer 3

The second chapter begins with the introduction of a new setting, the environment of the bunkhouse and ranch. The bunkhouse was in a state of needing repair and it was very run-down. Eight beds were piled up on one another, and half the bunks didn't even have blankets. Instead, they had "burlap ticking," sheets of burlap that could barely cover them while they slept, and were full of bugs and ticks. The walls of the bunkhouse weren't painted, and each worker had only two shelves for personal possesions. Altogether a very cramped and not nice place to live.

The first person George and Lennie meet at the ranch is an old swamper, Candy, who tries to explain how things work at the ranch. The next character introduced to us is the boss, who appears to be a strict man, who runs the ranch with an iron fist. He adds to the feeling of a harsh environment that won't be friendly and welcoming. Another character who enforces the unfriendly environment is Curley, the boss' son. Candy tells our protagonists that Curley picks fights with the bigger guys for "street credit." AS well as depicting the environment of the ranch, Curley is the first character who shows signs of conflict with George and Lennie. One of the most important characters to the environment of the ranch is Slim. He is the "leader" of the ranch workers; they all look to him for advice. His appearance of a tough guy implies that on the ranch, it is survival of the fittest. From this, the reader may infer that conditions on the ranch aren't the best. in fact, conditions are very far from that; the setting is very harsh. The overall environment of the ranch and bunkhouse is one that is tough, cramped, and unforgiving.

Answer 4

"And these shelves were loaded with little articles, soap and talcum powder, razors and those western magazines ranch men love to read and scoff at and secretly believe. And there were a few medicine shelves, and little vials, combs; and from nails on the box sides, a few neckties"(pg. 17) this shows that the men actually have the items and materials necessary to look there best and neckties to look formal and good, and even magazines that might help them with woman. "At about ten o'clock in the morning the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one of the side windows, and in and out the beam flies shot like rushing stars" (pg. 18) This description doesn't sound very romantic, but it implies romance with the beauty of a sunset or sunrise and shooting stars.

Answer 5

he describes it as a plain, rough, living area where the workers sleep.

Answer 6

Where George and Lennie were sleeping. Before they got there that is where people use to hang out.

Answer 7

The ranchers had soap, talcum powder, razors, western magazines, medicines, combs, and neckties. They have everything a man could need to look his best.