Mr. Locke’s Classroom

Warning: I’m thinking out loud here, so if you’re ultra-orthodox or easily offended, this might not be for you. Earlier today in my Patristic Readings in Greek class, we came across an interesting word. I don’t have a good Greek font installed to reproduce it here, but it’s the same word in the New Testament [...]

Two years ago as a high-school teacher, I was insanely busy and stressed throughout most of the year (including summer, despite incorrect assumptions on the part of non-educators–but that’s a different post). The two-week Christmas break, however, was always an oasis in the storm. Now, working for a church, my stress-level during most of the [...]

So we launch into a new six weeks (yes, I realize this is a bit late) and a new theme, as we follow Steinbeck to Europe for his non-fiction journalism during World War II. Two prominent themes become apparent in part one of the book, “England.” Superstition in the face of powerlessness/fate, and The use [...]

I hereby call to order the trial of the People of the State of California vs. George Milton for the alleged murder of Lennie Small. The accused pleads innocent on account of “I hadda do it. I just had to.” The Honorable Judge Locke is now presiding. You are either on the prosecution team or [...]

As you are hopefully flipping the final pages of your independent reading novels, here are some topics for consideration (and debate): East of Eden: One word–timshel. Why is it so important to Adam? To Cal? To Steinbeck? And where do your own beliefs fit in with this idea? Grapes of Wrath: The leadership of the [...]

The Pearl: Between the Doctor, the Priest, and the Pearl Buyers, Steinbeck is trying to make a point here about the effect that power, money, and greed can have on a person. Any thoughts? The Red Pony: There’s a sort of symbolic relationship here between Gabilan (the horse) and Gitano (the old man). See if [...]

Of Mice and Men (Chapter One): In the first chapter, Steinbeck lays out three of the novel’s major subjects: loneliness, dreams, and inequality. Anybody notice any of them already? Grapes of Wrath (Chapter Three): This is one of the most famous chapters in the novel. The turtle is a symbol, a metaphor for the Okies [...]