How Does Steinbeck Use Animals In Of Mice And Men

In literature, authors tend to tie the struggles of animals and humans together, often without realizing it. In the book Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses descriptive language to create a bridge between humans and animals to symbolize how alike we really are. Throughout the book, Steinbeck develops the theme that even though humans believe they are a superior species, we can be just as violent and cruel as animals, by using literary devices such as zoomorphism and symbolism. When Lennie and George are first introduced in the book, Lennie is described as though he is an animal, in comparison to him being strong and big, as well as the way that he moves through life. “...and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags

Mice aren’t brought up much again throughout the novel, however Lennie finds replacements for the stroking sensation he describes to George. Lennie substitutes the mice for a dog, and eventually, Curley’s wife. When Slim mentions he has a litter of puppies, George gets one for Lennie, and Lennie immediately takes to stroking the dog instead. “Lennie sat in the hay and looked at a little dead puppy that lay in front of him. and then he put out his hand and stroked it, stroked it clear from one end to another”. After Lennie kills the dog, Curley’s wife comes into the barn and offers for Lennie to stroke her hair. “She took Lennie’s hand and put it on her head. ‘Feel right aroun’ there an’ see how soft it is.’ Lennie’s big fingers fell to stroking her hair” (pg.90) Curley’s wife represents the mouse and other helpless living things, such as the puppy that Lennie kills. At the beginning of the book, we are made to believe that Lennie’s unawareness of his strength can only hurt a mouse. However, as the book progresses and Lennie kills the puppy, as well as Curley’s wife, we find that the line between humans and animals is much thinner than we