Of mice and men - Show how the constant suggestion and realisation of anger and violence makes this a gripping story.

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“OF MICE AND MEN”

Show how the constant suggestion and realisation of anger and violence makes this a gripping story.

The novel of “Of Mice And Men” consists of three themes, Loneliness, Dreams and Anger and Violence. In this essay I will consider the effect and how the anger and violence makes this story gripping. In this thriller John Steinbeck does not only use physical violence but also verbal violence, as a matter of fact verbal violence is used more often.

        In this explosive tale the first indication of exasperation is shown verbally by George, with the use of blasphemy, when Lennie is drinking from a pool of water from which the water is not running, George says, “Lennie, for God’ sakes don’t drink so much.” This makes it provocative because it gives a slight indication that the novelette is going to be intense and aggressive.

        The next incident in which anger and violence plays a cameo is when George is moaning about the charabanc driver, who dropped them off, approximately four miles away from there target and said it’s just down the road, “…. If that bastard bus driver…. he says. ‘Jes’ a little stretch.’ God damn near four miles, that’s what it was”. Even though this is also verbal violence using foul language and blasphemy, the reader can feel the tension bubbling up inside this character, and that what makes this an electrifying story.          

        After a chain of events George all of a sudden detonates and takes all the trauma, building up inside him out and all of it out on Lennie which makes the ‘big pawed’ man snivel. First Lennie neglects where they are going and George constantly has to prompt him, corresponding to that George detects Lennie’s got a inanimate mouse in his pocket but the only reason George is mad at this point is, as the reader finds out later on in the book, Lennie does not know his own strength, even though he loves ‘pettin’ small animals such as mice, he keeps exterminating them, “… You’ve broke it pettin’ it…. you always killed ‘em.” All this about the dead mouse is significant to the manslaughter of Curley’s wife, whom due to the sexist character of the male workers on the ranch has not been given a name. The ensuing incident that makes George just puncture out in anger is when they are having beans for supper, Lennie, like a little child wants ketchup even though there is none, “I like beans with ketchup.” To which George replies, “well, we ain’t got no ketchup.” Minutes later Lennie repeats, “I like ‘em with ketchup.” To this juvenile behaviour of Lennie, George bursts open even saying things he regrets later, “…. If I was alone I could live so easy…. No trouble. No mess…. You crazy son-of-a-bitch. You keep me in hot water all the time…. I wisht I could put you in a cage.” This incident makes it more gripping because before this incident the reader feels tensed and at edge but at this point even though Lennie’s behaviour’s puerile we sympathise for him. But the thing that makes this act enthralling is both the emotions, even though there meanings are totally different join together and mix.

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        Just before the resolution of the first ramification of the book we get a colossal intimation to what is going to emerge ensuing on in the story. As George and Lennie are perching down eating supper near the pool, George advises Lennie that if he gets in commotion on the ranch then he should come and conceal by a bush nearby, “…. You can remember this place, can’t you? ….  Well, look. Lennie –if you jus’ happen to get into trouble like you always done before, I want you to come right here an’ hide in the brush.” This expression ...

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