Imagery is a visually descriptive or figurative language,especially in a literary work. Imagery is a picture that develops in your head from a word or words that describe something. If you say the dog is black with white spots. The words that are gonna get that picture in your head from the previous sentence is black and white spots. Description words is what makes up most of books and stories without them everything you read would be plain. Steinbeck uses animal imagery to describe Lennie as a strong worker and a big guy. He gives us an idea or visual idea to the point he trying to get across. If Steinbeck just says Lennie is just a big guy people will just think of a guy that would be considered big for a normal human being. If he didn’t use imagery to describe how big he is we/I wouldn’t visualize his actual size. Imagery is the main reason that people see Lennie and george as different people. …show more content…
You can by simple by describing a car as red,fast,shiny,black tires. A description that would be more complex would be something like the car flew in like jet,with a dark rose red paint,a rumbling engine sounding like a monster truck and dark black tinted windows. Each description gives a different image in our heads. When Steinbeck says “suddenly Lennie appeared out of the brush, and he came as silently as a creeping bear moves”(pg100) it gave me visualization of a bear creeping from a bush. As I visualized it I imputed it to to Lennie,a big guy moving from a bush. When George says “No,he ain’t,but he’s sure a hell of a good worker. Strong as a bull”(pg 22). With the description of being as big of a bear and strong as a bull it says what Lennie is capable of doing out on the farm and how he is
Of Mice and Men Chapter 1: My Feeling’s: In the first chapter, John Steinbeck shapes a landscape of immense beauty that can be compared to the Garden of Eden. In the golden rolling hills of Soledad, California Lennie and George sit on a log worn smooth by many travelers. I enjoyed how Steinbeck portrayed George and Lennie; Lennie being the exact opposite of George yet still having a sort of unconditional love for each other. Lennie being the large, scary man who stereotypically be the one protecting George.
Humans and animals are more alike than most people would think. They often act the same way, and do similar things. Animal behaviors are used to describe humans and their actions, especially in literature. In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, he uses naturalism to get his point across. Steinbeck uses animal imagery to emphasize power, including how Lennie has physical power over other people, George has power over Lennie, and Curley and his wife are seen as weak and helpless.
In the opening section of the novella, Steinbeck wishes to portray the relationship between George and Lennie as 'leader' and 'follower'. Steinbeck highlights that 'they walked in single file' down the narrow path and when they came into the open, 'one stayed behind the other'; which immediately indicates that George is dominant in this relationship, therefore Lennie is somewhat irresponsible, dependent and incapable of looking after himself. This image illustrates that George acts as a parental figure and Lennie is similar to a shy child hiding behind a father. Furthermore, in Chapter 2 this idea is developed when George also carries Lennie's work card, knowing that Lennie would lose it if he was responsible for it "Think I'd let you carry your own work card?". This quote shows how George acts as a parental figure for Lennie; George must look after Lennie's important possessions, as George knows that he will just lose them because of his simple-mindedness.
While you read the back cover of the book Of Mice and Men and reading the descriptions of the characters you are probably thinking, why in the world would a tough and tall man like Lennie stick with such a little man like George? Well while you read the book, Steinbeck shows us through Lennie’s actions that he isn’t the brightest man alive, he is almost like a ginormous teddy bear, he loves to pet animals and he never does anything mean on purpose. But those characteristics get him into serious trouble. But George on the other hand, he is more of the tough one. He helps Lennie not get into trouble and when Lennie does he helps him get out of it
Steinbeck portrays those with cognitive disabilities to his audience in a way that makes them seem uncivilized often comparing them to animals. He demonstrates that despite good intentions, those with cognitive disabilities often make mistakes and are forced to live with the consequences. Lennie Small plays a major role in propelling the plot forward. Described as large man with extremely limited cognitive capabilities, he often makes mistakes which from which he has consequences. George, his friend, is always the person he relies on to bail him out of trouble.
In the novella, Steinbeck describes Lennie’s many physical attributes. The author states on page 2, “Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws. His arms did not swing at his sides, but hung loosely.” Steinbeck illustrates Lennie’s physical appearance by stating that he is a large man, who can be compared to the size of a bear. The reader could confer that Lennie might be slightly chubby or overweight when Steinbeck mentions Lennie’s ‘shapeless’ face.
George is everything to Lennie, without George, Lennie would be lost in the harsh reality that emerged during the great depression. Steinbeck often uses animalification to describe Lennie. For example, as a dog due to his unconditional loyalty towards George. There is evidence in how extraordinary it is for two men to be travelling together through the dust bowl. The faith between George and Lennie is very special.
In the novel “Of Mice and Men” by Steinbeck, the character Lennie Small is an important key to understand Steinbeck’s purpose. Lennie’s personality, his relationship with George, his mental problems and his physical attributes are critical factors in the novel. Lennie’s personality is like that of a child. He is so innocent and childish that he can’t understand important things in life.
In the novel, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck illustrates a father- son relationship between the two main characters, George Milton and Lennie Smalls, which leads to further conflicts for the two. Steinbeck describes the relationship between George and Lennie as they are walking to the new ranch at Soledad. Immediately George is developed as the overseer for Lennie. When the two stop by a short clearing, George tells Lennie “not to drink so much,” because he will “be sick like [he] was the last night.” (Steinbeck 3) This quote demonstrates the willingness of George to care and look after Lennie.
Animal imagery is seen throughout the book in a high manner, specifically with Lennie as George often scowls Lennie about behaving well. In the beginning of the book, Lennie is introduced firmly in the first pages as both men get close to a water stream. Lennie 's brain never seemed to function properly as having fun meant the world to Lennie, “Lennie dabbled his big paw in the water and wiggled his finger so the water arose" (3). The instincts of bear signify brutality and little intelligence as Steinbeck 's imagery about Lennie portray
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a powerful book about a tight bond between two companions during the difficult and often unfair Great Depression. The two main characters and best friends are George and Lennie. Lennie is a little kid trapped in a large man’s body, forgetful, and stronger than he knows what to do with, while George is the mentally sharp, thoughtful planner. The two friends first appear in the book jobless and carrying their bindles to yet another worksight. From then on (and even in their recalling of the past) they have to overcome many challenges of their time by standing by each other’s sides throughout the book.
Lennie is a mentally handicapped man who is strong as an ox but dumb as a sheep. He is dependent on a loyal companion for everything in his life otherwise he wouldn't be able to make decisions or provide for himself. George is the one who
I feel like Steinbeck uses animal imagery to describe Lennie because of his mannerisms. He doesn’t comprehend things like a man his age should and his maturity level is so much lower than what it should be. I think that Steinbeck is trying to get the point across that the working class is not full of tough men who know who they are. The working class can have people who look tough but on the inside are really soft and immature. One line he uses is, “..dragging his feel a little, the way a bear drags his paws” (Steinbeck 2).
In the novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, he portrays the American dream is unattainable for his characters, Lennie and George, who ironically are each others opposites, work towards achieving their dream together. Each character has at least one thing standing between them and their American dream. Whether its their race, sexuality, physical, or mental disabilities. Through his narration and use of imagery, Steinbeck crafts the character Lennie Smalls as an untamed animal in order to reveal how impossible it is to attain the American dream as a mentally handicapped person.
Of Mice and Men - text response The classic novella Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck during the time of the Great Depression, captivates audiences with its carefully chosen narrative techniques. The author uses techniques such as foreshadowing; which helps keep the readers engaged. Steinbeck's clever use of symbolism gives the readers a double meaning behind the original text by using symbolism and stylistic devices to help the readers discover the second meaning. This technique adds depth within the text. Steinbeck successfully uses imagery to help the readers understand the characters.