Of Mice and Men

[WARNING! THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS!]
Analysis of Detail

From his first paragraph, John Steinbeck sets the scene in Of Mice and Men through his use of imagery as he describes the natural world as a parallel to later events in the novella.

"The Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green" describes a deep and green river close to the hillside that George and Lennie were walking along and also describes George and Lennie. George "runs deep" in that he is a very understanding person, despite his vulgar language. Lennie runs "green" because he is, in a way, innocent and does not know what he is doing is wrong until he does the action. This also foreshadow the ending, because Lennie also "drops in close to the hillside bank" from being shot in the back of the head. "Slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains" describes an unstable treacherous mountain. This quote describes Lennie, in a way, because Lennie has a lot of strength (in fact, he has no awareness of how strong he really is) and is very unstable, like a rocky foundation. This also hints that the plot will have smooth slopes at first, then will be rocky at the end.

For a change in description, Steinbeck chose to vaguely describe Curley with "a path beaten hard by boys coming down from the ranches to swim in the deep pool, and beaten hard by tramps who come wearily down from the highway." Lennie, who came down from a different ranch, physically injures Curley in a fight. Curley's wife does not beat Curley physically, but what about mentally? I clearly dected that Curley's wife is a tramp. She seems to flirt with the other men who work on the ranch, which would be an emotional beating to any spouse. If the reader takes the literal meaning, the quote merely describes a river that leads into a pond. Steinbeck seems to describe a limb that used to be strong, but weakened over time with "the limb is worn smooth by men who have sat on it." This symbolizes George throughout the novel. First, he is mentally strong and can handle Lennie. Over time, George seems to break because he is influenced to shoot Lennie in the head before Curley shoots him in the "guts" to prevent any pain.


Analysis of Point of View

John Steinbeck used the third-person point of view throughout the novel to really emphasize the seclusion each man experiences. One indicator of this lies in the passage "Crooks did not see him...on raising his eyes...a scowl came on his face."
"Lennie smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends." This proves that Crooks was often alone. He scowls at the appearance of Lennie after all. He must not have many human bonds at all considering how bitterly he behaves toward a man that obviously does not have any average mental capabilities. Also based on this, Crooks appears to appreciate his privacy more so than relationships. He continuously attempts to shoo people from his room. Lennie on the other hand apparently desires friendships, and always looks for them. His loneliness led him into Crooks's room. Lennie always tries to have a companion, even if they are dead (like the mouse) at times. Lennie desires the sense of security that comes with not being alone. George's words also sum up the intent of Steinbeck when he says, "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place." He means that ranch workers have no one to rely on and must live out an existence of wandering, for they "don't belong no place." Looking at the whole novel, this statement means that, in the end, ranchers will only have themselves to rely on. However, George backed Lennie and Lennie backed George.

Analysis of Tone

Of Mice And Men has a tone of both of inspiration and despair. The inspiration appears in quotes such as "The afternoon sun sliced in through the cracks of the barn walls and lay in bright lines on the hay." This image pleases the mind and gives one an image of sunlight, which is quite inspiring to most. "But in the barn it was quiet and humming and lazy and warm." This also paints a pleasant picture and would give the reader a soothing image. Despair reveals itself.."He went on sorrowfully ... Suddenly his anger rose." This refers to Lennie after accidentally killing a pup. These details are very , mainly because Lennie says, "Why do you got to get killed? You aint so little as mice"after that. This brutal quote even brings tears to some eyes. Not only because a puppy was accidentally, but because someone feels so much sorrow for a mistake they cannot help.

Analysis of Theme

This novel very much represents, "I am my brother's keeper." Both George and Lennie depend on each other. George obviously "keeps" Lennie in that he basically watches over him and makes sure he does not get into any trouble, very similar to a parent and child's relationship. Lennie, in a way "keeps" Geroge because he depends on him so much. As independent as George appears, both Lennie and George depend on each other because of Lennie's handicap. Lennie cannot even function correctly without George and George depends on Lennie because he feels the need to protect Lennie. In a sense, George gives protection to Lennie and Lennie gives George someone to protect.

Migrant Mother

What do you feel when you see this picture? What do you see? j

I see a starving, distressed, worried, yet hopeful family. The children cling onto their mother as their waiting for their father to come home. Maybe their also waiting for something else, such as the future with no more recession or depression.

That is where hope peers its way in. I sense a hint of hope in the mother's eyes

Over all, I feel more inspired by looking at this photograph rather than depressed. It reminds me to always have hope, though life looks to be rough.