Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

"There is a strong moral thread running through of mice and men which

we can identify generally as concern for the underdog."-Jim Taylor

(It is possible to feel concern for nearly all the main characters in

the novel. With what aspects of their lives do we sympathise and to

what extent do we feel that sympathy?)

'Of mice and men' is based in 1920s America, explores the life of

migrant farm workers and similarly their struggle to be accepted in

society. It also reveals their desire to establish themselves in

society through owning their own ranch and having their own home. The

social concerns that Steinbeck highlights are; bullying, racism and

being intellectually disabled. 'Of Mice and Men' is based on the

author's experience of migrant farm workers.

The character with whom I sympathise the most is Lennie. The character

'Lennie' is described in the novel as an unusual figure, almost animal

like. " His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down

and drunk from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps,

snorting into the water like a horse." This analysis creates a pungent

picture of this strange character.

In the novel 'Of Mice and Men' we see how he is almost isolated from

the novel and so is presented as a misfit. At the beginning of the

novel Lennie is described as an animal, "dragging his feet a little,

the way a bear drags his paws," this phrase very much embodies his

character. Lennie is mentally disabled and it is this disability which

disables both himself and his guardian and friend George. The two are

complete opposites in physical appearance and men...

... middle of paper ...

...ain't no good." This proves how

Lennie is a real comfort to George and a person who he formidably

relies on, to almost keep himself mentally alive. This is because his

lifestyle doesn't allow him to get close to people. This is a

realistic portrayal of farm workers.

In 'Of mice and men' the narrative shows simple, yet persuasive

language and emphasises Steinbeck's thoughts and feelings about

migrant farm-workers. This creates an atmosphere of credibility making

it seem true to life. He manipulates the reader with his excellent use

of metaphors and simile in both the opening and final sections and in

particular his descriptions of the natural world, i.e. the heron

eating the water snake, in the closing pages. Steinbeck also cleverly

uses a dialect language form for the characters adding a further sense

of realism.