Essay - Cool Hand Luke and Of Mice and Men

This post is for FRESHMEN only.

Now that we're wrapping up Of Mice and Men, and now that we've watched Cool Hand Luke, it's time to start thinking about our essay. 

Luke and George have many similarities:

• They both live in a male-centric environment.
• They are both friends with man who is larger and more powerful yet who is less intelligent.
• They are both concerned with authority and fitting in.
• They both want something more than what they have.
• They are both dissatisfied with where they are.
• They both, in some way, are forced to deal with the notion of being a leader.

However, these similarities are shadowed at times by their differences:

• Different obstacles holding each back.
• George is haunted by his responsibility, Luke works hard to escape his.
• Luke holds himself back, whereas George is held back by his circumstances.
• Luke is drawn to the spotlight, but George fears it.
• They have different goals.
• They have different attitudes regarding fate.
• Luke is focused on God’s compassion – or lack there of, while George is focused on man’s compassion.

For your essay, answer the following question:

Are Luke and George more alike than they are different

or are they more different than they are alike?

  

Your thesis statement should look something close to one of these models:

• While most people might say that Luke and George are quite similar, they are in fact quite different from one another.
• While most people might say that Luke and George are quite different from one another, they are in fact quite similar.

For each of these thesis statements, use one body paragraph to support the first aspect of your thesis statement and two body paragraphs to support the second aspect of your thesis statement.

Remember the two tools you have at your disposal:

• The Wonderful World of the Five Paragraph Essay contains all of the details relating to the content of your essay.
• The Road to Formal Essay Editing contains all of the details relating to the mechanics and formatting of your essay.

If you have any questions throughout the writing process, ask your teacher.

Cool Hand Luke Journal 3

This post is for FRESHMEN only.

(Sorry for the lateness. You will have a one day extension.)

JOURNAL 3


On a scale of 1 – 10, how concerned is Luke about each of the following?

• Dreams / goals 
• Morality 
• God 
• Fate
• Popularity 
• Being a leader 

 Answer in the same document as journals 1 and 2. 150 words min. Neat. Follow criteria on “Road to Formal Essay Editing.”

Cool Hand Luke Journal 2

This post is for FRESHMEN only.

JOURNAL 2

How virtuous is Luke?

Take into consideration loyalty, honesty, responsibility, respectfulness, compassion, etc.

Answer in the same document as Journal 1. 150 words min. Neat. Follow criteria on “Road to Formal Essay Editing.”

Born Losers Essay

This entry is for freshmen only.

Although Luke and George share many similar characteristics, what really makes an investigation of this duo interesting are their differences.  In a thoughtful, thorough essay, answer the following question: 

How are Luke and George different?

You may wish to examine these differences in regards to their attitude towards friends, enemies, life, and fate; the efforts they do and do not make towards achieving their dreams; the true nature of their respective characters; their attitude towards responsibility, popularity, obstacles, compassion, loyalty, etc.

Use the "Road to Formal Essay Writing" handout and the "Wonderful World of the Five Paragraph Essay" Prezi - links to both of which can be found on the right hand side of this screen under "Pages."

Use the TLC, ask your instructor for help, take your time, be methodical, avoid shortcuts, and be thorough.

Work hard.

Cool Hand Luke Journal 3

The following post is for FRESHMEN only.

In your journals, thoughtfully and thoroughly respond to the following prompt:

On a scale of 1 – 10, how concerned is Luke about the following?

• Fitting in and belonging 
• The men around him?
• Dreams and goals 
• Doing the right thing 
• God 
• Fate 
• Popularity 
• Being a leader

Cool Hand Luke Journal 2

The following post is for FRESHMEN only.

In your journals, thoughtfully and thoroughly respond to the following prompt:

How virtuous is Luke?

If you are unfamiliar with the word "virtuous," look it up. Take into consideration loyalty, honesty, responsibility, respectfulness, compassion, etc.

Cool Hand Luke Journal 1

The following post is for FRESHMEN only.

In your journals, thoughtfully and thoroughly respond to the following prompt:

Luke says, “Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand.”
What does he mean by this statement?

Use evidence from the film to illustrate your response. Do you agree with Luke? Can ‘nothing’ be a ‘real cool hand’? Give one solid external example (from film, literature, politics, etc.) to support your response.

Sometimes Nuthin' Can Be a Real Cool Hand - Part II

This entry is for freshmen only.

Let's start off with a new term:  'antihero.'

Think of an antihero as a main character (a protagonist) who, in at least in some ways, is very unlike a typical hero.  While heroes uphold the law, fight for justice, and follow the rules, antiheroes often fight the law, treat the world unjustly, and break the rules.

Some fans of the film have called Luke an anti-hero. Your task is to name another antihero from literature or cinema. Then briefly explain why the character you've chosen is indeed an antihero. In other words, prove it!

Be sure to read all of the responses before yours; remember, no repeats! Grammar and spelling counts. Your responses should be a short paragraph. Post your responses in the comments section bellow.

Sometimes Nuthin' Can Be a Real Cool Hand - Part I

This entry is for freshmen only.

After "beating" Dragline in the fight (and by "beating" we mean "getting pounded on until the other guy gives up"), and after "winning" the poker game (and by "winning" we mean "playing with an inferior hand until the other guy gives up"), Luke claims that "Sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand."

In the comments bellow, give an example from another film, a book, a short story, etc. that proves Luke is right, that proves that sometimes "nothin' can be a real cool hand."

Be sure to read all of the responses before yours; remember, no repeats!

Hand Full of Nothin' Part 1

This entry is for freshmen only.

After "beating" Dragline in the fight (by getting pounded on),and after "winning" the poker game (with an inferior hand), Luke claims that "Sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand."

In the comments bellow, give an example (from another film, a book, a short story, etc.) that proves Luke is right, that proves that sometimes "nothin' can be a real cool hand."

Be sure to read all of the responses before yours; remember, no repeats!