As the story begins, Steinbeck highlights the beauty that revolves around the Salinas river as a setting for the introduction of the two characters, George Milton and Lennie Smalls. I believe that with this introduction of the setting, the foundation to the theme of a peaceful and serene environment is established. However, with this first taste of freedom, Steinbeck later shows that this theme of peace will unable to be sustained as the story evolves and more characters are introduced. George and Lennie are soon introduced into the story after the setting is described. 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. I believe that the first chunks of dialogue when a character is introduced can often times give insight as to their personality and how this character might play out in the story. …show more content…
This story is the dream that the two hope to accomplish after receiving enough income from the ranch job they hope to acquire. The dream involves animals, crops, and their very own farm in which they hope will provide enough money for free and leisure life style. George starts the story with an image of a ranch workers life, explaining that a ranch worker has nothing to look forward to and nobody to accompany them. He then explains that the two of them are different because they have each other. Steinbeck uses this to give the reader a powerful sense of friendship between the two