The Complex Relationship Between John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

During the 1930s society shunned people with mental health issues, and they didn’t have nearly as many resources as people with mental issues have today. In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck introduces a complex relationship between the two main characters, Lennie and George. Lennie, who is intellectually disabled, has physical characteristics that would seemingly make him intimidating, but the narrator describes Lennie as someone who likes soft things; this juxtaposition is just one of many literary devices that Steinbeck uses throughout the story. George, who takes care of Lennie and ensures he doesn’t get in trouble, essentially unintentionally takes on a parental role in Lennie's life. Because of this role George has taken in Lennie's life, he sacrifices his independence and

To create this relationship between the two, Steinbeck uses many literary devices including vivid imagery, a variety of diction, and foreshadowing.

From the first chapter Steinbeck uses poetic devices such as imagery to introduce and describe George “The first man was small and quick …..small ,strong hands , slender arms , a thin bony nose “(2) as steinbeck describes lennie's he describes him as almost the complete opposite. Within one of their first conversations Steinbeck begins to characterize George as well as Lennie and introduce their relationship , “Lennie ! ,he said sharply “ the use of the word sharply depicts George’s stern nature towards lennie which introduces the parent like relationship between the two.In chapter two when the boss asks lennie a question steinbeck states '' In a panic lennie looked a george for help “ the word “panic “ describes how lennie depends on george for even simple things like getting questioned . Each time Lennie is questioned he looks to george for help “ Lennie was looking at george