How Does Steinbeck Use Power In Of Mice And Men

Tiffany Do

Period 1

October 23, 2015

Imagine living a life, where you were given all the power in the world. How would you feel? What would you do with that power? In the novel Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck talks about how, in society, everyone has some power, whether it be big or small. Given that power, there are some people who will use it for their own selfish needs, or there are other people who use that power to help others. Steinbeck uses the characters Curley and Slim to prove the point that what you do with your power in society defines who you are. In the story, Curley is portrayed as one of the highest people on the land. He is the ranch boss’ son, and he uses his power to make himself feel good, but in the process of doing that,

In this novel, Slim is portrayed as the rich and wise one on the ranch. He is the one people go to when they need advice, or maybe just someone to talk to. He is the only person that understands what everyone is going through, and isn’t judgmental. He is always there to listen to people talk about their problems, which is one of the many ways Slim uses his power for the good. “There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke. His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love.” This phrase shows how Slim is very widely respected on the ranch. He was the one person that understood everyone, and he was a very good leader without trying too hard or being cocky, as opposed to Curley who tries too hard to impress everyone and to prove that he’s better than everyone. This also shows how Slim uses his power in society in a positive way. Helping others using his knowledge, and also listening to others when they need someone to talk to is what makes Slim a good person. Being there for people, such as Candy and George, is one of the very many good aspects of Slim. He is so quiet and reserved, but at the same time, his words speak louder than others. Additionally, throughout the story, Slim is the one person that the characters go to for advice in tough situations. For example,when Lennie smashed Curley’s hand, it was Slim who didn’t get both George and Lennie fired. Also, when Carlson suggests that Candy’s dog be killed, Candy goes to Slim as the final decision. These are just some of the ways that show that Slim is selfless and how he uses his power to help other people overcome obstacles. Using your abilities for the good of others shows that you are a selfless person, who deserves the power that you are given. "If we could keep Curley in, we might, But Curley 's gonna want to shoot 'im. Curley 's still mad about his hand. An ' s 'pose they lock him up an ' strap him down and put