Of Mice and Men Analysis Essay Example For Students

Of Mice and Men Analysis Essay John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men draws upon the economic hardships and struggles of the 1930s in America, as the Great Depression. During this period of time, there was a massive surge in the level of unemployment and poverty as the result of the closure of many banks, factories and farms. Throughout the novel, the reader is given a feel of the harshness of this period through Steinbecks use of various literary techniques to develop the characters, themes and plot of the novel. Imagery plays a key role in the development of the characters, plot and themes of the novel, particularly through the description of characters and their environment. In the early pages of chapter 1, Steinbeck gives a very vivid portrayal of George and Lennies physical characteristics, the two characters that the novel primarily focuses on. Words that automatically catch the readers attention during Georges introduction include restless eyes, sharp, strong features and Every part of him was defined (Chapter 1, page 2). The use of these words by Steinbeck help in defining Georges character whilst at the same time, compliment his significance in the play. Lennies introduction into the novel however, portrays him as the complete opposite in all ways to George through use of words such as shapeless and large, with regards to his size and appearance. The word shapeless as against the word defined, can be said to represent and express the lack of depth Lennie has a character in the play, due to his rather simple minded nature and childish antics, such as his desire to pet anything that catches his attention. Also through metaphorical comparisons made between Lenny and a bear in page 2 (sloping shoulders, dragging his feet a little), the theme of nature is brought about, in relation to his innocence and simplicity. The theme of nature is also portrayed through continuous reference to animals and their movements, such as the rabbits in chapter 1 who are also metaphorically compared to grey sculptures, adding to a sense of peace and stillness in the environment. Lennie is also portrayed as having a rather poor memory, as evidenced in page 4 of chapter 1 where he asks Where we heading George?. The Letts explore literature guide (Stewart Martin 1994), comments that Steinbeck makes use of Lennies memory as an excuse to provide the reader with background information regarding the pairs previous job in a place called Weed. The words restless eyes, can be said to reflect Georges frustration with having to constantly look for work whilst taking care of Lennie, who is generally responsible for the pairs constant search for a job, and to whom George openly confesses his frustration through the lines, When I think of the swell time I could have without you, I go nuts (Chapter 1 page 13). In spite of this George cares a lot for Lennie, as seen in Chapter 3, where he confesses to Slim about how he himself use to bully Lennie, before a terrible incident where Lennie was nearly drowned. Language also contributes to the development of theme, plot and character in the novel. The majority of the characters in the novel are shown to use shortened versions of modern words such and, little or fooling, as well as words that maybe considered improper or slang such as scummy. Steinbeck deliberately does this to reflect the manner in which a majority of people in this time spoke adding a sense of realism to the novel, as well as reflecting the educational and social backgrounds of the characters. Dialogue in the novel helps to convey to the reader some of the major issues in the play, which are often symbolized by a number of characters individually or as a group. One such example of this is the theme of loneliness as symbolized by Crooks. Crooks is a character who suffers both socially and physically as a result of his racial background, and an injury he suffered from a horse kicking him in the back. As a result of this, the room he occupies is off limits to everyone else on the farm, as they seem to do nothing but mistreat him, however Lennie in his usual simple-minded behavior, unintentionally trespasses Crooks territory. Crooks initially orders Lennie out of the room, considering him to be no different from the other ranch hands in the farm, although he later invites him to sit down after realizing he has no bad intentions. EMANUEL KAKAOUNAKIS EssayLater in the story George once again puts his new found friends in front of the obligation to take care of his best friend in the entire world.While George is outside playing horseshoes with all of his coworkers from the ranch he lets Lennie wander around and do as he wishes, which he knows can lead to trouble.While outside having fun with the others he never even seems to worry about where his traveling partner is or what he is doing.George is preoccupied with his other life, the one spent away from Lennie and his responsibilities. When George finds out that his neglecting to supervise Lennie has led to a tragedy he never once blames himself. If he would have been watching Lennie and taking care of him as he promised to do, none of this would have happened and nobody would be dead.Now, due to Georges lack of loyalty to Lennie and his promise to take care of him, Lennie is doomed to suffer the consequences of an action that could have been prevented had he not been left alone. George knows that the workers from the ranch will kill Lennie when they find him and gives only a half-hearted effort to try to persuade them from pursuing this act of destruction and murder. As the story closes, George, in a somewhat noble act of kindness, makes the effort to find Lennie before any of the workers from the ranch can. He has a choice to make after he finds Lennie: he can run away and hide as he has done in the past, therefore insuring the safety of his onetime closest companion, or he can take Lennies life himself.Due to his lack of loyalty to Lennie and his selfishness he chooses to take Lennies life.It is significant to the story how George decides to kill his friend.He does not even give Lennie a chance to get away from his pursuers but instead he shoots him in the back of the head just like what had been done to Candys dog. After all of the loyalty and love that both of these creatures had given to their respective friends, both of the superior creatures decide that they dont need them any more and choose to end the dominated creatures lives in a less than honorable manner.When given the chance to gain something that he wanted, George chose to alienate and kill his most loyal friend in the world in the same manner that dogs and other less than human creatures are disposed of when they are no longer needed.This display of Georges animalistic nature when presented the chance for advancement in life shows that loyalty, when put to the test, is never as strong as the persons desire to achieve his own dreams. Although Steinbeck is not trying to say that you can never trust the people that you call your friends, he is saying to be careful of those who call you a friend but only think of themselves while saying it.Even after spending the majority of his life calling Lennie a friend, George still betrayed him for the chance to become who he wanted to be.The animalistic nature of people tends to come out when they have the chance to seize what they believe is rightfully ours. So dont trust everyone who can trust you because everyone has got an agenda in life that shows us where they want to be.If you stand in the way of obtaining their goal they may be likely to step over you to get to it. As George has showed us, the human trait of loyalty can become very weak if put through the test of time, so avoid trying to test it so that you may not end up as Lennie did, being treated no better than an old mans dog.