The book “Who Moved My Cheese?” (Johnson, 1998) is an allegory of how people react to change. The story is of how two mice, Sniff and Scurry, and two littlepeople, Hem and Haw react to life in the “Maze” in their search for “cheese.” The “cheese” is a metaphor for the things that we want in our lives. For different people this represents different things they seek to make them satisfied. “The “Maze” in the story represents where you spend time looking for what you want” (Johnson, 1998, p.14). Johnson establishes the setting of the story in the maze, a complex, extensive, and daunting place. The cheese is located in Cheese Stations in various locations in the maze. The cheese comes in a variety of quantities and qualities representing that, while what we search for in life has common elements, we each search for our own type of satisfaction. The characters in the story are initially paired up in their adventures in the maze. The mice, Sniff and Scurry, are simple characters representing simplistic and instinctive human traits. They maintain their partnership throughout the story. Sniff is the mouse that monitors his environment constantly and rapidly identifies change. Scurry is the mouse that scurries into motion when his partner Sniff identifies change or possible paths to new cheese. The mice are always ready to move on to find new cheese. Johnson depicts the mice two-dimensionally as instinctive and emotionless except in their satisfaction in finding their cheese. In contrast, the littlepeople represent the complex aspects of human behavior. Johnson depicts the littlepeople as having complex emotions and thoughts which interfere with their ability find new cheese and tell when their cheese in going stale.... ... middle of paper ... ...as a wonderful example of how to deal with change. While the character offering the most food for thought is Haw, on his path to enlightenment, there are lessons offered by all the characters. Johnson portrays the littlepeople in a fairly negative light in the opening of the story. Still, there is something to be said for relaxing and enjoying your cheese when you find it. The danger here is complacency. The mice offer the lessons of awareness of your environment, readiness, and the necessity to act on change. The danger here is in acting on instinct without thinking. The author feels there are a variety of valuable lessons for dealing with change in all of the characters: there is a time to lead; there is a time to follow; always be aware of change; prepare for change; evaluate change; when the time is right, act on change; and lastly, enjoy the journey.
Peter Lisca’s analysis on “Motif and Pattern in Of Mice and Men” clarifies that Steinbeck’s misunderstood usage of symbols, actions, and language convey motifs and patterns that connects the beginning of the book to the end. Lisca implies that the first and primary usage of symbolism was the area near the river where the story initiated and ended. He insinuates that the cave that Lennie mentioned twice and the river George ordered Lennie to visit when in danger symbolizes as “a safe place” and innocence while becoming “translated into terms possible in the real world” (Lisca 1). In addition, Lisca also advocates that the rabbits serve as symbols to dramatize Lennie’s devotion for his safe place, but also to “define the basis of what desire on a very low level” (Lisca 2).
While reading the stories “Of Mice and Men” and the poem “To a Mouse” the audience can infer that both stories have to do with hope for a better future. While Lennie and George live on the ranch there
In conclusion the characters in the book Of Mice and Men are really poor communicators because they can't talk to each other in a descent manner. Because they can't talk properly the characters in the book are mean, unsure of themselves and what they want, disrespectful to themselves and others, and which leads them jump to conclusions really quickly. If these characters were even half way descent then they are now I am sure that they would have fewer conflicts. This just goes to show you that communication is a key aspect in life and it can go a long way. It also shows you communication is the single most important thing in life.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a great example of 1900’s literature, and a great reflection of the great depression with a tragic end. A lot of themes were displayed in this short story, and developed the plot as the story moved on. Characters in the book are developed mainly through these themes. Arguably the most crucial theme is Nature Vs Nurture, as it drove the climax of the story, and lead to the tragic ending of the book. Lennie Smalls in the story was born with a mental disability, in the times of the great depression, leading to Lennie’s ultimatum, and the theme of Nature vs Nurture.
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.
In Of Mice and Men, the author attempts to portray the hardships that a man attempts to face yet fails to withstand. Set in the post-depression era, the book depicts the harsh truth of the
Both “To a Mouse” and Of Mice and Men are very interesting and intriguing well-developed works by two distinctly different authors. The authors have different writing styles, as well as different ways of formatting their works. However, they share the same message. This message is that no matter what one does to prepare, they should always have a Plan B. Things can and often do go awry. By comparing both subjects, the reader can gain a better understanding of the similarities and differences between the two. They also learn precisely why the inquisitive author Steinbeck found inspiration in Burns’ detailed and symbolic poem.
The novel of mice and men by John Steinbeck is a heartwarming story about two men George and Lennie. George is a small stocky man who prides himself on his ability to be independent, and often taunts Lennie by saying "God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work, an' no trouble. No mess at all, and when the end of the month come I could take my fifty bucks and go into town and get whatever I want.” (pg12). Lennie on the other hand is a very large childlike man who is very dependent of George. These two have stuck together for a long time and over that time have developed a dream of owning their own ranch. Steinbeck uses a variety of techniques to display the theme “even the best laid themes can go wrong”
Of Mice and Men, by Steinbeck, shows many different views on society. This book has a lot different messages you can take and apply to real life. All the people in the story can relate to someone today and also to some stuff that still happens all around the world. When reading this book you can really start to understand and connect with the characters and identify their weaknesses and their strengths. Some things you really start to notice is how powerful some people are and how they use that power in everyday living. Many characters had power, because of that it helped some get by, helped some take advantage and boss people around, but power also hurt them.
As the story, Of Mice and Men, ends, it it easy to realize how important the theme, characters, and symbols are and how they reflect ordinary life. The theme proves that no one can stay lonely forever, and everyone needs someone to be there for them. Many people could see themselves in the characters as they figure out who they really need. Lastly, as we hold onto our youth we also hold onto unrealistic dreams just like George. Before he can let go of the dreams, he must mature and get rid of the part that is holding him back,
‘Of Mice and Men’ is based on the experiences of a migrant farmer, set in 1930’s America. The characters are also symbolized as realistic people, but influenced by the issues and circumstances based on the Wall Street crash, the American Dream and being set after WWI. I empathies for these characters for the consequences of these historical events are what to have made ‘Of Mice and Men’ a tragedy in relation to loneliness.
The daily struggle of the working class, fear of loneliness and the reality of putting all your energy into plans that fail are the different themes relating to John Steinbeck's novel, "Of Mice and Men". The characters depicted by the author are individuals who are constantly facing one obstacle after another. The book illustrates different conflicts such as man versus society, man versus man, man versus himself and idealism versus reality. The book's backdrop is set in the Salinas, California during the depression. The two main characters include two men, George and Lennie. Supportive characters include a few ranch hands, Candy, Crooks, Curly, Slim and Carlson.
"Who Moved My Cheese?" tells a story of change, of how we react to it, and the trouble we can find ourselves in when we don't follow that change. The story is about four characters, two mice, and two "little people." The characters live in a maze chasing cheese. The cheese represents anything we chase after in life and believe it will make us happy. The story details the trials and troubles we all have in daily lives.
In the book written by Spencer Johnson, Who Moved my Cheese, his allegorical comparison of real life characters portrays four main personality types, the book can be a source of reference to how people react to change. In the publication, there are two main optimistic and arduous characters: Sniff and Scurry. In effect, he decided to venture into private nursing where he provided care to the sick. He, thus, can be compared to Scurry, who was a mouse character in the book, Who Moved my Cheese?
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.