Loyalty And Disloyalty In John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice And Men'

Of mice and men (final)

Johns Steinbeck’s 1937 masterpiece “of mice and men” gives insight to the lives of ordinary people affected by the great depression in America, during the 1930s. In the novella the themes of loyalty and disloyalty are a key part of the plot. Steinbeck explores the seminal themes of loyalty and disloyalty by careful use of setting, structure and development of complex character constructs. Also the use of language and imagery in the novella depict the reality of the great depression for many people and the challenges they faced everyday.

At the beginning of the novella author John Steinbeck opens with a description of the idyllic natural setting, where “the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green. The water is warm to,

He pulled the trigger.” Steinbeck does not covey characters emotions in the novella; the line of description here gives us insight to George’s battle of conscience.

George killing Lennie by most accounts is murder, it would suggests to readers George hates Lennie and wants him dead. In Georges case it is the opposite “ I aint mad. I never bee mad, an I aint now.” he is lenis sworn protector “you look after me…” he has repeatedly chosen throughout the novella to care for Lennie and protect him. George killing Lennie can be interpreted as George demonstrating his allegiance to Lennie.

Slims tries to consoles George, he tries to convince George he has done the right thing “you hadda, George a swear you hadda.” Slim tries to improve George 's conscience about killing his friend Lennie suggesting that killing Lennie was a necessary evil. This is emphasized when he repeats you “hadda”