In this novel of Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, the author emphasizes the importance of Slim’s character by showing how much the characters depend and look up to him while also using his character for symbolism and contrast to other elements in the text.
Slim serves as a leader to the men. He’s described as “God-like” which shows how much the men look up to him. Before he’s even properly introduced, we hear from Candy that he’s a “hell of a nice fella”; this shows that Slim’s Character is very much liked and accepted by the men while also showing that he’s friendly and a possible ally for George and Lennie. The men recognize and understand his “dignity” and how “ageless” he is, which is why they believe he’s qualified to lead them and become their friend.
Slim’s character is used to symbolize hope. In the bunkhouse the light of the table “threw its brightness straight downward” onto Slim, creating a biblical light imagery. The light is brightest where he is and grows darker the farther from him, much like a spot light. This light imagery emphasizes he’s the core of the ranch and he symbolizes a way out of the darkness that is the dreary life of the Great Depression and ranch because he’s so “ageless” and smart.
Throughout the novel he serves as emotional support for George during crucial parts in the text. Instead of bullying George into telling him about his past and his relationship with Lennie, he “invites confidence” and let’s George open up and tell him about what happened previously in Weed and why he’s caring for a big guy like Lennie. This is important because it shows how caring and understanding Slim is compared to the other men which makes George more comfortable with talking to him. Slim also supports George a...
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...ng outside of what he has. George, Lennie’s, and Candy’s dream failed once Lennie killed Curley’s wife and Curley’s Wife’s dream had failed causing her to become bitter. Compared to the other characters Slim seems like an exceptional person because he hasn’t failed and he doesn’t become distracted by insignificant things, like a dream, when really he’s just an average worker during the Great Depression. Slim’s character is so important because he contrasts with the other characters and serves as the only stable character in the entire novel.
Slim’s character serves as a moral center by helping out others and being their support while also acting as a contrast for those same people he’s supporting and others. He’s really the only stable character in Of Mice and Men, while also being a symbol of hope making him truly crucial to the plot and characters of the novel.
Slims character is one important way I saw George's actions were justified. Slim is the person that showed us why George should have done what he did. “ I guess we gotta get ’I'm” slim repeated” (97).
First, Steinbeck uses the character of Slim to describe that helping others makes that individual feel gratitude towards the individual who helped
He does not really understand the meaning of having a companion. He is confused on why George and Lennie travel together and why Candy cares so much about his old “No good” dog. This archetype is portrayed in many different books and movies, there is usually a character that knows nothing else but to have nobody but themselves to care for them. This causes the character to not have always a positive attitude but a rather negative one considering they are very lonely. This archetype was described very well for this character. Yes, authors are coming up with more unique stories. One of the most unique thing about this book was Steinbeck took a different approach with Carlson’s character. He was a big part of this story from just being a confused, angry man but to later shoot Candy’s dog which caused him to be a part of the dream with Lennie and George. Which had a HUGE impact on the book because it gave the men hope that they could achieve the dream. The biggest part Carlson had in Of Mice and Men was that
John Steinbeck explores human experience in the novella ‘Of Mice and Men’ in friendship, loneliness and marginalisation. He does this through the characters as explained thought the paragraphs below.
George’s relationship is meaningful with Lennie because he took in Lennie after his Aunt Clara passed away and no one else would take him. For instance, when George was talking to Slim he said,”When his Aunt Clara died, Lennie just come along with me out workin’. Got kinda used to each other af...
The book, Of Mice and Men is not just about the death of Lennie, as one might think, it’s also about power. Throughout the book, one can observe each character’s attempts to gain influence over the ranch crew, or at least to be accepted into a society. However, only one man can be on top, and that man became Slim, the ageless jerkline skinner. Unlike Curley, he lead with an understanding mind instead of abusing the power gained by achieving the American Dream.
His hands, large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer.” (Steinbeck, 33-34) Slim is the noblest of the ranch as the only character who seems to be at peace with his circumstances and his life. The other characters view slim as wise and respectable man and often go to him for guidance, as the only person who has achieved what he wants in life.
Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck centennial ed. New York: Penguin, 2002. Print.
In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck brings out the themes of Lonliness and companionship, and strengths and weaknesses through the actions, and quotations of the characters. Irony and foreshadowing play a large roll on how the story ends. Lennie and his habit of killing things not on purpose, but he is a victim of his own strength. George trying to pretend that his feelings for Lennie mean nothing. The entire novel is repetitive in themes and expressed views.
Curly and Lennie, two men that traveled together everywhere they went. In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck describes friendship, dreams, and personality to describe Lennie and Curly adventures.
This could be for many reasons, but the most probable might be that Steinbeck wants us to delve deeper in the story, and make our own inferences. Because of this concept, the character might be a bit “fuzzy”, meaning that because he is not described directly, there can be many interpretations to just one common character. This indirect characterization of Slim is on page 46, where it reads, “A young laboring man came in. His sloping shoulders were bent forward and he walked heavily on his heels, as though he carried an invisible grain bag” (Steinbeck 46). We know that Slim is a young man, however from the quote above, some might be led to think that he his a bit elderly because of the “weight he carries”, infering that he has a laborious life. Nonetheless, from the information we know and the quote above, it is probably safe to assume that in the short life Slim has had so far, he has worked during most of it, but is a kind
...so uses a generous amount of figurative language to portray Slim. Slim is depicted using a metaphor as, “a jerkline skinner, the prince of the ranch”. Slim is also said to have hands that are, “large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer.” Which is expressed through the practice of a simile. George also describes Lennie, using a simile, as, “jes’ like a kid”. Steinbeck also practices dialect familiar with the area and time through a metaphor by having George say, “Me an’ Lennie gonna roll up a stake.” This means to save up some money. The puppy that dies because of Lennie petting it is a symbol of Curley’s wife who also dies subsequently of Lennie petting her hair. The water snake at the end of the story is representational in nature as it glides “smoothly up the pool” by foreshadowing the evil that is impending upon Lennie’s fate.
John Steinbeck, the author of the novel Of Mice and Men uses many stylistic devices and description in chapter one to give the reader a deeper understanding of what may occur throughout the novel. Firstly, the name of the city the two protagonists, Lennie and George, are heading to is called “Soledad,” which means loneliness in Spanish; this is symbolism and foreshadowing because it can mean that as they get closer to the city, their relationship as friends may deteriorate and they may end up alone towards the end. Furthermore, this could also mean that there can be major problems in further chapters because of Lennie’s unpredictable behaviour due to his mental disabilities. In relation to Robert Burns’s poem, “To a Mouse,” the author may be
They are a textbook example of loyal friends. They, together, are like peanut butter and jelly in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Lennie gives George someone to talk to and someone to keep him on track. George gives Lennie insight into the world and someone that will respect him even though he isn’t intelligent. They, more importantly, give each other something to live for.
In my opinion, Lennie Small is the most interesting character in Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck does a very good job describing and characterizing Lennie's personality. Lennie's character is, indeed, quite unique. A large man with enormous strength, yet kind and childlike, he seems to find joy in simple life pleasures like petting a furry animal and making the water ripple. Lennie's greatest difficulty seems to be remembering; and it is the lack of the ability to remember that ultimately leads to his tragedy at the end of the book. In the novel, Steinbeck seems to reinforce Lennie's characteristics of strength, kindness, childlike manner, and somewhat animal-like personality. In this paper, I will focus on these characteristics.