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How Does Steinbeck Use Fear In Of Mice And Men

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Anxiety and fear are emotions that no one likes to feel. Unfortunately, George and Lennie feel anxiety and fear in most situations in Of Mice and Men. The color yellow represents Of Mice and Men the best because there is lots of anxiety and fear with the characters of George and Lennie.

Anxiety and fear are present with George in Of Mice and Men. In Steinbeck’s book, George was faced with lots of problems. George had lots of stress and anxiety because he had to take care of Lennie, as well as himself, in a really tough time. In the 1930s, a stock market crash made it a struggle to live in America, which is known as The Great Depression. George needed to pay attention to Lennie because Lennie had the brain of a child. After being kicked out of Weed, George had the fear of being kicked out of the new ranch. One wrong move by Lennie could have put the two of them onto the streets again looking for a new job and home. The book shows that George makes sure to care for Lennie after Lennie killed Curley’s wife. George tried to convince Curley to let Lennie live, and said that Lennie didn't really know what he was doing (Steinbeck 91-95). The next main character, Lennie, also has problems with emotions. …show more content…

Lennie is constantly thinking about doing something wrong. When he does something wrong, his first thoughts are about what George will think and do. “ ‘I shouldn’t of did that. George’ll be mad…’ ” These were Lennie’s first thoughts after killing Curley’s wife (Steinbeck 92). Lennie isn't allowed to talk in front of the boss and is constantly told negative things about his actions. As soon as Lennie accidentally killed Curley’s wife, he started to panic. He knew that George wouldn't be happy with him and that everyone might want him to get kicked out. He went straight to the brush, where George told him to go if he was in trouble. (Steinbeck 91-100). George and Lennie feel anxiety and stress in similar

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When Wrong is Right At the end of “Of Mice and Men” George is faced with grim decision of shooting his best friend and family member Lennie to ease both of their future pains. George has known Lennie for mostly all of his life and he knew that when Lennie was dead their dream of having a house would be over. George then makes up his mind and shoots Lennie making him think if it was the right decision or it was wrong. In this case the decision was right because of many reasons with one being that Lennie would never be able to survive in the world that they live in.

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There are many reasons why George had to kill Lennie, many of the actions Lennie made contributed to the painful decision George had to make in the end. George knows just how easy his life could be without Lennie, since Lennie is constantly making mistakes and can't tell right from wrong. Often George and Lennie find themselves running from lynch mobs, or looking for new work because due to lennie's actions. Lennie has all intent of being good, but he has the mind of a child what is often getting Them in trouble. Having the mind of a child makes George a role model for lennie, but George finds it hard to control lennie.

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After Curley’s wife is killed, there is no way George and Lennie can exist peacefully and continue their lifestyle. George has to put Lennie out of his misery. If George doesn’t kill Lennie, he

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This also shows the overpowering control George has over Lennie’s conscience, and the consequence that Lennie can’t remember his own actions, only the stories George repeats. He is never truly angry with Lennie for his petty mistakes, he is simply thinking of the limitations of their dreams because of Lennie’s unpredictable actions. It seems George can only control Lennie by threatening him with the thing he cares about most which is the farm, “But you ain’t gonna get in no trouble, because if you do, I won’t let you tend the rabbits” he threatens, trying to make Lennie remember the importance of his actions (36). George is constantly complaining that he could have a better life and even have a farm without Lennie to look after, but he also wants a companion. Lennie is often simple minded and easily influenced, but intuitive enough to manipulate George’s loneliness, “If you don’t want me George I can go up in that cave over there and leave,” George quickly denies this saying “No, look I was just foolin’ Lennie, ‘cause I want you to stay with me” (20).

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