Acts Of Symbiosis In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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Acts of Symbiosis in “Of Mice and Men”

In the novella “Of mice and Men” there are several relations of which can be put into one of the forms of symbiosis. The relationships that take forms of symbiosis take many forms. These relationships could be friends, enemies, lovers, or even just two people. These relationships could also be grouped from good to neutral to bad depending on the circumstances. The story “Of Mice and Men” starts with two men - George & Lennie - in the woods complaining about their bus driver. Turns out these two have been running from their past where Lennie was accused of some bad things. After working on the ranch a couple of days Lennie does something bad again and gets killed by George. In all relationships, something is gained or lost in order for something else to be gained or lost. There are a total of three types of symbiosis relationships mentioned in this novella such as: parasitism, commensalism, and mutualism. First off, relationships of …show more content…

This relationship, being the best of all, is being held by the boss and the workers. The boss pays the workers “steaks”. Also the workers benefit from being given a “bunkhouse” to live in (page 17-19). Finally, the boss makes money from them working the farm allowing everything to work out to a full circle making everyone happy. Summing it up they all make money making everyone happy and at a benefit resulting in a mutualist relationship. All in all, between the characters of “Of Mice and Men” there are three different types of symbiosis shown. These types of symbiosis are described by who benefits and who is handicapped by others. The different types of symbiosis are shown by Lenny & George, Curley & his wife, The Boss & his workers. Parasitic, commensalism, and mutualism are the three types of symbiosis shown in the novella “Of Mice and