We reviewed Marcel's impressive test essay and discussed one or two ways to thematically tie some of his ideas together in both the introduction and the essay's conclusion.We then began our study of Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" by discussing the characteristics of the naturalist genre and comparing it to realism . In discussing the deterministic and pessimistic view of the Naturalist writer, we examined the historical context of the novel, The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl that inflicted economic ruin on thousands of farmers. I further elaborated on the influence of Darwinism on the Naturalist movement. We then studied Robert Burns' poem"To A Mouse" " as the novel draws its title from a line in the poem. Marcel examined how the poem's setting and theme complement the world view of the Naturalist writer in its focus on how unpredictable external factors dictate one's life. For homework, due Thursday, read chapter 2 and answer study guide questions.