Lennie and George in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men

1004 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Symbolism essay mice and men

John Steinbeck wrote the play Of Mice and Men in 1937 (Steinbeck). It is a play about two ranch workers who do not have the best of luck. The two workers were named George and Lennie. George was a more small bodied man. His partner Lennie was a giant among average sized people. They are on the road going place to place working numerous jobs. Lennie has a learning disability. The two work hand and hand. George is there to keep Lennie out of trouble. Lennie in a way helps keep George together. Sometimes it gets difficult for the two but they always get through everything together. They both work hand and hand. George is the brains and Lennie is the muscle. Lennie is a very powerful man so he can do a lot of things normal men cannot do. George is Lennie’s only family or friend he’s all Lennie has in this world. In a way Lennie is all George has also. The two keep one another going throughout their long journey. They work together escape trouble together and keep each other pushing forward. In the end the only thing they have is each other. This story shows that no matter how different two people are they still can relate to each other. It also shows that no matter how independent one thinks he/she is someone can always help them with something (Steinbeck). John Steinbeck was born February 27th, 1902. He was born in Salinas, California. Steinbeck’s father was a hardworking man, and he worked several jobs to support John and his siblings. These jobs included managing a flour plant, and serving as a treasurer. His mother Olive Hamilton Steinbeck was a schoolteacher. Steinbeck had three sisters. He had a pretty happy childhood growing up for the most part Steinbeck was not the most outgoing person. He was really smart but he was shy.... ... middle of paper ... ...lena Krstovic. Vol. 172. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. McEntyre, Marilyn Chandler. "Of Mice and Men: A Story of Innocence Retained." The Betrayal of Brotherhood in the Work of John Steinbeck. Ed. Michael J. Meyer. Lewiston: Mellen, 2000. 203-222. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Lawrence J. Trudeau. Vol. 194. Detroit: Gale, 2014. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. McMurray, Elizabeth. "Of Mice and Men: Actors in a Play." Steinbeck Studies 15.2 (Fall 2004): 103-106. Rpt. in Children's Literature Review. Ed. Jelena Krstovic. Vol. 172. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. Steinbeck, John. Of mice and men. New York: Penguin Books, 1993. Print. "World Biography." John Steinbeck Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2014. .

Show More
Related

  • Of Mice And Men: Lennie And George

    1593 Words  | 4 Pages

    is in the air. Animals begin to scatter. Two men have arrived on the scene,

    Read More

  • Symbiosis between George and Lennie in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men

    589 Words  | 2 Pages

    A coon dog and a tick, an oak tree with moss on the north side, a termite and its internal bacteria, and a shark with tiny fish that eat the extra meat chunks in between the teeth all have one thing in common: symbiosis. Defined as the interdependence of organisms, symbiosis is the basis of the relationship between George and Lennie in “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. One type of symbiosis helps both parties while another type involves one organism being hurt by the exchange. The dog is hurt by the tick while the termites and the bacteria benefit from each other’s presence. These types of symbiosis can occur in humans and are evident in “Of Mice and Men.” Both types of symbiosis exist between George and Lennie in the novel.

    Read More

  • Left or Right?

    1160 Words  | 3 Pages

    Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, portrays the hard–done-by life of two California labours, who form an unlikely bond and cling together in the face of alienation. The Novel exhibits the idea of the thirst for companionship when cast into the abyss of loneliness, while unveiling the horrors and strife that the labours of the south endured during the 1930’s. Throughout the plot, one of the protagonist, George, continuously carries through with several decisions that define him as a character and subsequently, as a human being. For example, at the beginning of the story, Geo...

    Read More

  • Handicaps, Hardships, and Friendships in Of Mice and Men

    1354 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lisca, Peter. "Of Mice and Men." The Wide World of John Steinbeck. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1958. 130-143. Rpt. in Children's Literature Review. Ed. Jelena Krstovic. Vol. 172. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 13 Jan. 2014.

    Read More

  • Of Mice And Men Rhetorical Analysis Essay

    489 Words  | 1 Pages

    Of Mice and Men (37) written by John Steinbeck uses many different rhetorical strategies to develop a very enthralling story. The strategies Steinbeck uses form a theme throughout the story that justifies what george did to lennie. Characterization, mood and setting all play a huge role in manipulating the reader's emotions to feel that what george did to lennie was warranted.

    Read More

  • Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Steinbecks novel, Of Mice and Men portrays the

    Read More

  • Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck

    1165 Words  | 3 Pages

    Controversial responses about the appropriateness of adolescent novels had been defied since the early 1800-1900 in America. Published adolescent books are continuously being challenged by parents, students, and even teachers in concern to the immoral values taught in the academic environment. The early exposure to the nature of sex, racism, death, and poverty marks the concern to many of these prosecutors. However, ironically these concerns fulfill the degree of adolescent maturity. Since young adults are encouraged to reach adulthood, it only makes sense to include these immoral values part as the young adult’s educational aim. Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck in 1937 is a novel that has the ability to cover the immoral values of reality, in which is depicted in each of Steinbeck’s characters in his novel. Given the opportunity for young adult’s to experience these immoral objectives may increase their discernment to life and prepare them for the world that is ahead of them; this is the universal dream of every parent.

    Read More

  • George and Lennie in the First Three Chapters of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men

    1397 Words  | 3 Pages

    In chapter one, George and Lennie are introduced onto the scene and you get to know them a little bit and you get to see how they are related/ their relationship. When I read this first part, I could tell that George was pretty much Lennie’s caretaker and it was his job to find Lennie a job and make sure he ate enough and stayed a live. He kind of resented having to drag Lennie around (pg 11~12: “Well we ain’t got any!” George exploded. “Whatever we ain’t got, you want. If I was alone I could live so easy… But wadda I got? I got you. You can’t keep a job and you loose me every job I get.”), because Lennie’s a bit slow and he messes up a lot. He tries really hard to be good and listen to what George tells him to do, but in the end of every situation, Lennie forgets what George told him beforehand and sometimes it creates a little trouble (pg 45~46: “Well, he seen this girl in this red dress. Dumb like he is, he likes to touch ever’thing he likes. Just wants to feel it. So he reaches out to feel this red dress an’ the girl lets out a squawk, and that gets Lennie all mixed up, and he holds on ‘cause that’s the only thing he can think to do. Well, this girl just squawks and squawks. I was jus’ a little bit off, and I heard all the yellin’, so I comes running, an’ by that time Lennie’s so scared all he can think to do is jus’ hold on. I socked him over the head with a fence picket to make him let go. He was so scairt he couldn’t let go of the dress. And he’s so strong, you know… Well, that girl rabbits in an’ tells the law she’s been raped. The guys in Weed start a party out to lynch Lennie. So we sit in an irrigation ditch under water all the rest of that day.”). But when you look at them, you can tell that George is...

    Read More

  • What Role Does Lennie Play In Of Mice And Men

    448 Words  | 1 Pages

    John Steinbeck’s book Of Mice and Men is a story that captures the spirit of farm work in the 1930’s. It describes the struggles and hardships of finding jobs and surviving in the West. Sometimes it is better to be alone, but some people might need a little help.

    Read More

  • John Steinbeck

    1569 Words  | 4 Pages

    John Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902 in Salinas, California. As a boy, he grew up in a farming community, and worked on ranches. At the age of fourteen, he decided that he wanted to become a writer. He went to Stanford University, but w...

    Read More

  • George And Lennie In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    Author Julian Steinbeck creates some of the most dynamic characters in literature in his novel Of Mice and Men. George and Lennie are examples of strength and weakness. They hoped that one day they would be able to achieve their “American dream.” They wanted to have their own farm raising their own animals and crops. George is short, but a smart fellow. He travels to a ranch with a tall guy named Lennie who happens to be mentally challenged. In the end, each are pushed beyond the limits of what human beings should endure. George kills his companion and best friend yet he is innocent because he did it to protect Lennie, they were best friends, and the other men would’ve done worse stuff if George didn’t shoot Lennie himself.

    Read More

  • Lennie In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    The book Of Mice and Men is written by John Steinbeck. In the book the two main characters George and Lennie go from farm to farm looking for work. Their most recent job has them living in a bunkhouse with other men working on the farm. Through thick and thin George and Lennie have stayed together, but things change once Lennie makes a mistake that can’t be made up for. Throughout the story Lennie is portrayed as an immature, ignorant person yet a devoted friend to George which makes it easy to feel sympathy for him.

    Read More

  • The Most Sympathetic Character In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

    587 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are many sympathetic characters in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, a novel that tells the tale of an unlikely pair chasing a dream they share while trying to find work in California’s dusty vegetable fields during the Great Depression. There was George, who was small, quick, and dark of face. Then there was Lennie, a man of great size and strength, but had the mental capacity of a young child. Steinbeck had a handful of characters in the novel that he intended the reader to sympathize with, but he intended George to be the most sympathetic character.

    Read More

  • Critical Essay On Of Mice And Men

    581 Words  | 2 Pages

    Of Mice and Men is one of John Steinbeck’s most famous books. Although short, Of Mice and Men manages to fit a plethora of themes and opinions into a one hundred page package. The most common and reoccurring themes include the tragic nature of human existence, realism and the improbability of the American dream. Because of these themes, there has been hefty criticism against the novella. Thomas Scarseth has written an excellent essay in response to the criticism. Scarseth was able to answer the criticism and make his own points in this essay. Of Mice and Men uses the realism and unpleasant attitudes of the world to create a beautiful story.

    Read More

  • Parallels Between The Grapes of Wrath and the Life of John Steinbeck

    2935 Words  | 6 Pages

    John Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902 in Salinas, California. He had a pretty average childhood with a supportive family and a decent education. While growing up his mother, Olive Hamilton, was a major factor in his education, since she was a schoolteacher and made it her duty to educate him. His mother most likely was the reason he developed a love of reading and literature and ended up going to Stanford. In his child there were only two major events that affected his writing. These were when he worked on a ranch with migrant workers, and when his father’s business failed and the family was temporarily thrust into poverty. These two events most likely sparked his interest in the poor lives of the migrant workers. His experiences on the ranch taught him about the harsh and impoverished lives of the migrant workers and his experience of being in poverty enabled him to understand what life is like when one is poor, as the migrant workers were. This understanding inspired some of his most famous writings such as: Of Mice and Men, In Dubious Battle and The Grapes of Wrath. These experiences also allowed him to add a sense of realism to the stories. After graduating from his public high school in 1919 Steinbeck went to Stanford. He went there for 5 years before dropping out without a degree and moving to New York. The following years were highly tumultuous for Steinbeck and he held many odd jobs while trying to get his writing published. In 1935 he finally got his first big break when his critically acclaimed novel, Tortilla Flats, was published. After this he became quite successful and well known although the skill in his writing seems to fall after WWII. After researching his life I decided to focus on using his most famous n...

    Read More

More about Lennie and George in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men

Open Document