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Analysis Of John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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Funny-Heart Wrenching-Engaging are the few words of many that describe the amazing literature work known as “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. John Steinbeck is renowned for his many fascinating works and adept usage of descriptive details in his writing. He continues this trend in his award-winning book “Of Mice and Men.” From unhappy marriages, to mental disability, to overall displeasure in life, John Steinbeck goes in this book where many other author’s never choose to tread in the world of literature.
Steinbeck bases this work off of a time in which migrant workers seek out a true purpose and work to achieve their dreams in life as a whole. George is one of the workers, and is affiliated with Lennie, who just so happens to have a mental …show more content…

However he still rode along with Lennie and thoroughly supported him without falter. In this sense, Steinbeck invests a sense of compassion in his character of George. Tolerance is a theme that shines through in this sense, and readers could learn that there’s no reason to simply shut out or give up on anyone due to their mental state. Growing up I’ve always pondered upon the saying “Promoting tolerance and human dignity is one of mankind's unfinished challenges.” In having this underlying theme Steinbeck provides first hand examples of tolerance and never abandoning one in …show more content…

Now let me spare the intricate details, and scamper my way directly to what I feel makes this book truly stand out and a great read. The true scene in this book, making this a tragedy as a whole is the scene where George puts Lennie out of his misery. In this act, George saved Lennie from a life of mistakes and suffering from his mental incapacitation and finally allowed him to attain eternal peace. Steinbeck didn’t go with the generic “and they lived happily ever after” with this work of literature. He went straight for the unexpected-- something untouched upon in literature and that was the unhappy ending. This one scene earned Steinbeck prominence in the lack of ubiquity of this

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In the book, Steinbeck uses diction as the main literary device to describe the characters and what was going on. For example, he points out that George while talking about his dream “..repeated his words rhythmically as though he had said them many times before” (Steinbeck 13) . The author accents the words “rhythmically” and “repeated many times before,” which creates a sense of repetition, so it looks like George is not excited at all and even annoyed. With Lennie it’s different; he repeated many phrases such as “Go on George!”, no matter how many times he hears about the dream he is always wanting to hear it repeated, possibly to see his goal and not forget it(14). George’s and Lennie’s behavior is very different, because George thinks

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747 Words | 3 Pages

John Steinbeck’s description of George as a “parent” to Lennie helps the reader at the end of the

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937 Words | 4 Pages

By giving Lennie these childish and animalistic qualities, Steinbeck is illustrating how his immaturity causes him to get into trouble and distances him from the other workers. Although, through all of Lennie’s mistakes, George stays with him because he needs his companionship as much as Lennie does as it brings them both hope and strength in their desperate situations as migrant workers during the

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740 Words | 3 Pages

Steinbeck 's characters show different types of inhumanity. Every character feels isolated and lonely, which causes some to attack those who are weaker than they are. Loneliness and the cruelty of others caused George and Lennie to stick together during many hard years, but the violence of their fellow workers overcame George’s good intentions to care for Lennie.

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Although Steinbeck shows sympathy for his characters, it doesn’t compel him to give the story a “happily ever after” ending. For example, George is a farmer with a good heart, but in the end he ends up shooting his best friend Lennie out of mercy. Steinbeck also contradicts poverty and minimal resources with friendship and dreams of having a better life. George and Lennie are traveling farmers searching for work, they don’t have a permanent home. However, they have a dream of owning their own farm and Lennie gets to tame the rabbits.

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287 Words | 2 Pages

In the novel, Of Mice and Men, the author John Steinbeck had created a character named George who was given a variety of qualities. Putting all of his anger issues to the side, he also has a compassionate and benevolent part of himself. Also, in another way George was a mother-like figure to Lennie, his best friend, because of the amount of love given through his scoldings and encouragements to improve. George has a strong passion for Lennie’s well being and happiness.

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1103 Words | 5 Pages

Steinbeck first gives readers a taste of the character's personality through their appearances. George is small, witty, and defined, while Lennie is large and awkward. We learn more about their personalities however, through their interactions with each other. George’s first word of dialogue is an abrupt shout of Lennie’s name to draw his attention away from a pond of water that may contain harmful substances. With just this, readers can infer that George has a sense of care for his fellow travelling partner, having attempted to sway Lennie’s attention away from the murky pond water.

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695 Words | 3 Pages

Lennie’s mental difficulties often frustrate George, and at times he lashes out at Lennie. When Lennie complains, George explodes, “‘Whatever we ain’t got, that’s what you want. God a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy’”(Steinbeck 11). Lennie doesn’t understand that George can’t give him everything. At times, George gets angry that he always has to support Lennie, “‘You can’t keep a job and you lose me ever’ job I get’”(11).

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806 Words | 4 Pages

Go on, George! Tell about what we’re gonna have in the garden and about the rabbits in the cages and about the rain in the winter and the stove, and how thick the cream is on the milk like you can hardly cut it.” (Steinbeck 14) Not many men had actually accomplished what they wanted, George and Lennie had plans to live together, they were ready for what the future had in store for them. Even though George was the only doing most of the work, he still wanted to be with Lennie because Lennie had turned into his best

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965 Words | 4 Pages

Steinbeck uses symbolism to help the reader relate to the story better and have more of a sentimental value. Within the violence of the story, even though in the end George ends up killing Lennie, having George kill Lennie because he is worried about if Curley was to kill him and make him suffer shows that even in the worst of situations that Lennie puts George into he still sticks by his friend because he knows he means the best even if that's not what happens. Throughout the story and especially at the end you start to have some sympathy towards Lennie and almost feel bad for him just because all he wants is to be able to buy the ranch with George and tend to the bunnies and he gets so concerned every time he messes up because he doesn’t want to ruin his chances of. Because of the whirlwind of emotions that Of Mice and Men causes it has an entertainment value that makes you never want to put the book

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837 Words | 4 Pages

In Soledad California, during the 1920’s we find George and Lennie, the two main characters. Two friends that have a very unique relationship. George is a short man with sharp features and quick wits, where as Lennie is a big man with a round face and is a just like a large child. They are lowly workers that bounce from ranch to ranch looking for work, in search of their unique american dream. In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, George becomes more understanding and friendly towards Lennie through the beginning, middle and ending of the novella.

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986 Words | 4 Pages

He was treated as a child by George and by others; nobody took him seriously. George told the boss that Lennie had suffered a hit in the head by a horse when he was young, which is why he isn't bright, which was an attempt at being accepted into the job. Steinbeck connects this to the world by displaying the unfairness they receive and the discriminatory actions by people of power, being declined because you are different from

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1370 Words | 6 Pages

George and Lennie are faced with mental and physical challenges that limit themselves from their dreams. This novel should be displayed to high school students because of the major scenarios it provides to students. Steinbeck shows the realistic problems that adults face when

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443 Words | 2 Pages

“-I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we’d never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would” (Steinbeck 78). George wanted a better life someday for himself and for Lennie, but deep down he knew Lennie’s limitations and accepted that the dream was never meant to be.

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1067 Words | 5 Pages

By using characterization, conflict, and imagery to develop his characters Lennie and George, Steinbeck shows his readers that in any circumstance, good or bad, karma will appear and bring people the things they deserve. The touching and painful ending of Steinbeck's story shows chaos in a peaceful place in which Lennie is dying and yet still existing through all three devices: the characterization of both Lennie and George, the results of the conflicts they faced, and a vivid description of Lennie's death. Even after decades have passed since Steinbeck published this novel, Steinbeck's message to the reader stays the same, chaos can occur in even the most peaceful places. Never leaving people’s sides, always lurking in the shadows, waiting to

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