Introduction To some extent, writers are the most powerful people in the world as they can use words to change people’s perceptions and ideas. Around the world, there are numerous writers who choose to convey their thoughts within their works, no matter fictions or poems. However, there are also some other representatives who prefer to be objective as a writer, and from my perspective, John Steinbeck should be one of them. Hence, I agree with the given quotation. In this essay, I will try to prove the quotation in three aspects. Firstly, I will discuss some characteristic of Of Mice and Men as well as John Steinbeck’s writing approach. Then, I will explore the fascinating and bewildering aspects of life in his fiction to demonstrate my statement. Finally, a conclusion will be given. During 1930s, the relationship between the suffered labors and the government is very tense as a type of remarkable social contradictions. Of Mice and Men, the book that Steinbeck wrote that period, is neither about the resistance of California’s newcomers nor their economic threat to the landed elite. (Shillinglaw, 1994) This book is about common people, their dreams, their ordinary life and their misfortune. The story teller- John Steinbeck To begin with, I will select some important elements in Of Mice and Men to support my argument which states John Steinbeck is not a demonstrator but a story-teller. The title of this fiction is the first thing I would like to point out. The original title of this literary work is called “Something That Happened” which can be regarded as non-judgmental. (Shillinglaw, 1994). Later on, he changed his title after reading a poem. However, the new title still stands in an objective way. Steinbeck’s stylistic techniq... ... middle of paper ... ...Meyer, Michael J.. (2009). Essential Criticism of John Steinbeck's of Mice and Men, The. Scarecrow Press. Retrieved 3 December 2013, from Millichap, J. (1978). Realistic style in steinbeck's and milestone's of mice and men. Literature/Film Quarterly, 6(3), 241-252. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/226984779?accountid=11440 Sale, R. (1980, Mar 20). Stubborn steinbeck. The New York Review of Books (Pre-1986), 27, 10. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/201312410?accountid=11440 John Steinbeck: Naturalism's Priest Woodburn O. Ross College English , Vol. 10, No. 8 (May, 1949), pp. 432-438 Published by: National Council of Teachers of English Article Stable URL: http://0-www.jstor.org.hkbulib.hkbu.edu.hk/stable/372552 Twentieth-century American Literary Naturalism: An Interpretation Donald Pizer
Many characters have hopes and dreams which they wish to accomplish. Of Mice and Men has two main characters that go through obstacles to get what they want. In the beginning it is George and Lennie running away trying to get a job. Once both George and Lennie have a job they try to accomplish their dreams. Unfortunately they both can't get their dreams to come true since lennie does the worst and George has to shoot Lennie. Steinbeck uses characterization, foreshadowing, and symbol as rhetorical strategies to make George's actions justified.
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.
Levant, Howard. The Novels of John Steinbeck: A Critical Study. Columbia: U of Missouri P, 1974.
John Steinbeck is a brilliant storyteller capable of crafting such vibrant and captivating literary works that one can effortlessly exit their own life and enter another. John Steinbeck has a passion for divulging the flaws of human nature and he is not afraid to write about the raw and tragic misfortune that plagued the lives of people like the Okies in the Grapes of Wrath and residents of Cannery Row. He was also a brilliant commentator who contributed brilliant opinions on the political and social systems in our world. In heart wrenching words he tells us the story of peoples lives, which were full of love, corruption, faith and growth. However in the novels of Cannery Row and The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck specifically attempts to convey the thematic elements of socialism, survival and the role of women to blatantly present the lifestyle of down trodden migrant workers and the diverse ecosystem of prostitutes, marine biologists, store owners and drunks in a way that is unapologetic and mentally stimulating.
A Comparison of John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men and the 1939 Film Version of the Novel
John Steinbeck’s creative and carefully planned writing expressed the difficulties of oppression in this Era. Of Mice and Men explored the effects of systemic oppression on women,
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.
Hayashi, Tetsumaro. A New Study Guide to Steinbeck's Major Works, with Critical Explications. Scarecrow Press, Jan 1, 1993
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.
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.
John Steinbeck is an intriguing and intelligent author native to the grapevine-woven and sun-soaked Salinas, California. Many of his works, including Of Mice and Men, and Cannery Row, have striking similarities such as similar characters, and setting , seeing as they ‘took place’ near each other in real life. As any good book, both of these novels have many ideas that are in fact complete opposites, like the overall story progression and the plot, or absence of one in the case of Cannery Row. To understand these two books clearly, this essay will compare and contrast the setting, characters, plot, and the themes present in both books.
Novels that exhibit what the life is like for the people at ranch can help readers reflect on how they might react in comparable situation. George and Lennie who struggle to transcend the plight of inerrant farmworkers are followed by the novel Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck. Readers are positioned to respond to themes through Steinbeck’s use of conventions that are dispirit. Themes such as Freedom and confinement, loneliness, and racism are pivotal in the novel and draw out a range of responses from the readers.
Reith, Duncan. "Futile dreams and stagnation: politics in Of Mice and Men: the American novelist John Steinbeck has sometimes been criticised as a sentimentalist. Duncan Reith uncovers the bleak political pessimism behind his novel of ranch life during the Great Depression, Of Mice and Men." The English Review 15.2 (2004): 6+. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 21 May 2014.
Works Cited Steinbeck, John. The 'Standard'. Of Mice and Men. New York: Penguin Books, 1937. Print.
The theme of power in prevalent in John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice And Men’ and is presented and developed in many different ways. Power is first established in the title, which introduces the recurring wrath of fate implying that men, like beast, are helplessly fated to live a disempowered and isolated life. Some however seek comfort in their powerful dreams, and companionship in their romanticised fraternal bonds, most notably that of Lennie and George, whose unconditional love for another leaves the reader with questions regarding their own morality. Steinbeck’s powerful prose, a strong single plot line over a short time span drives the tragic events forward, and his depiction of the foreshadowing natural world gives the novella a certain aspect of duality.