Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
George and Lennie are migrant field workers and friends. They are searching for a job during the time of the Great Depression. Lennie has a mild mental disorder and likes to pet soft things but ends up killing them. George looks after Lennie, and in doing so shoots Lennie to protect him from a mob.
One of the main themes in this novel is the expectation of the American dream versus the reality. The American dream are ideas based on more freedom, equaility, and prosperity. An example of this theme is George and Lennie wanting to own their own ranch but the reality is they work on ranches.
Depressed is the tone of the novel. The first city introduced to the reader is Soledad which is the Spanish word for lonliness. Another example of this tone is Lennie's mental disorder. Because Lennie is mentally disabled he is being held back from different opportunities and caught in situations he cannot get himself out. George is forced to kill his best friend which causes his dreams of owning a ranch to die with Lennie.
Symbolism- dead mouse, death
Imagery- "On one side of the river the golden foothill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan Mountains, but on the valley side the water is lined with trees— willows fresh and green with every spring, carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of the winter’s flooding; and sycamores with mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches that arch over the pool."
Characterization- introducing Lennie and George, "Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, and wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws."
Foil- Slim and Curley, opposites (tall/short and intelligent/simple-minded)
Dialogue- "'Huh? Oh! Hello, Crooks. What’s’ a matter?'
'You told me to warm up tar for that mule’s foot. I got it warm.'
'Oh! Sure, Crooks. I’ll come right out an’ put it on.'
'I can do it if you want, Mr. Slim.'
'No. I’ll come do it myself.'"
Suspense- after Lennie kills Candy's wife, what is going to happen to Lennie
Foreshadowing- a peaceful landscape then George and Lennie run through is causing animals to be alert and flee
Motif- value of everything, “'I got hurt four year ago,' he said. 'They’ll can me purty soon. Jus’ as soon as I can’t swamp out no bunk houses they’ll put me on the county.'"
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