Socratic Seminar Reflection

Valuable points and statements have all been said throughout the whole Socratic seminar discussion which indeed influenced some of my understandings of the book, “Of Mice and Men” and “The Harvest Gypsies.” Before the Seminar discussion took place, I believed that George was always a tough guy who did not express his own emotions based on an image that he has placed on himself throughout his life. When my classmates discussed the question, “Did George really believe that one day they will have their ranch, or did he just say that for Lennie's sake?” (asked by Marielle.) I heard circumstances where I changed my opinion of George and his emotions toward expressing his feelings to others. His companion, Lennie Small, was able to get through the softness of George’s emotions. Everyone who contributed to the

discussion was able to discourse on the fact that George protected Lennie’s feelings by elaborating on a dream that they both wanted to believe in. Stated on page fourteen, “we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs…” George was able to feed Lennie into having a large amount of hope in their future based on the new jobs they were getting at the Ranch.

He is a tough guy who portrayed the image of having vexation to some, nevertheless for those he loves, George can be caring and wonderful towards them. The same motive applies towards the article, “The Harvest Gypsies.” I knew before reading the article that harvesting and growing crops is a needed business for everyone causing it to be a necessary stable job. Although, after reading that article, according to paragraph 11, “Mexicans and Filipinos, are being deported and repatriated, while on the other hand, the river of dust bowl refugees increases all the time.” These refugees are hard workers who are needed to accomplish the grand works of cropping and harvesting especially in the proper seasons needed to do so. By being repatriated without the choice the choice to do so, it is unfair to their families who are in need of gathering a food supply or else they will be in a

destitute. Migrant workers are in need of grand opportunities to support their families and run well everyday lives. Before all of this information was restated in the discussion towards the questions, “Which, if any types of migrants, foreign or domestic, have priority for jobs, and why?” (asked by Marcelo.) Yes, farming is an agricultural job that is necessary for the benefit of everyone, however, for California residents and workers, the real issue is within the doors of a ranch. The discussion was able to open my eyes in the fact that characters who are introduced in a book should not be judged based on a first impression and that on the outside of a job and working process may not be the truth from an inside perspective.