Girl Moved to Tears by Of Mice and Men Cliffs Notes

The Onion's article, "Girl Moved to Tears by Of Mice and Men Cliffs Notes" (2006) explains the reaction and reasoning behind University of Virginia sophomore communications major Grace Weaver and her choice to read the Cliffs Notes version of Of Mice and Men over the original. The Onion develops the major claim by including specific quotes from Weaver about her efforts in reading these Cliff Notes and the personal effect these summaries had on her while also going deeper by looking at her choice to read these summaries instead of the actual book. The Onion's purpose is to entertain readers with Weaver's experience in "reading" Of Mice and Men in a sardonic and cynical manner in order to bring awareness to a lack of understand and competence that can come with taking the shortcut with a task that deserves an actual attempt. Because of The Onion's use of direct quotes and small but forceful commentary, the tone is satirical and critical to an audience of individuals who have read Of Mice and Men and can laugh along with The Onion at Weaver's short-sighted pursuits and amateur response to the book she didn't really read which can serve as a reminder to the mediocre outcome that results from laziness.

A satirical point that the author talked about briefly was Weaver's choice to not read the short, original novel, but the even shorter novel summary. The satire is effective because of how the authors describes the book. By including small lines such as "the most skillful example of American naturalism under 110 pages" and "Weaver's choice to read the Cliffs Notes instead of the pocket-sized novel", the brevity and literary relevance of this book is emphasized greatly. To include how short this novel is makes Weaver look positiv...

... middle of paper ...

...d requirements of that degree, which includes being able to read and analyze topic completely on your own without guidance. This adds to the author's overall disguised purpose of reminding readers the aftermath of mediocre work.

The Onion's "Girl Moved to Tears by Of Mice and Men Cliffs Notes" is an article with satirical and critical tone about a young communication major, Grace Weaver, who is emotional moved by reading the synopsis of the American classic Of Mice and Men over the original novel. In this article, the author describes Weaver's process and reaction to the assigned reading that aims to entertain an audience who has read the book. By using subtle satire and descriptions that let the reader understand the dangers of Weaver's shortcomings, the author is able to emphasize the importance of doing your own good work in a humorous and interesting manner.