discuss the use of imagery of light and dark in Of Mice and Men

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Discuss the use of imagery of light and dark in the novel.

In Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, the imagery of light and dark is used to deepen the themes of the normal. Sometimes darkness or "light lifting" can mean more than one thing. In this essay I would explore this subject.

"Although there was evening brightness showing through the windows of the bunkhouse, inside it was dust". This shows that the light tries to get in but never manages to penetrate the darkness. This is important to the themes of the story because workers' hope for a future farm is just like the light while the cruel reality is like the darkness. Their efforts to realize this plan is just like the light trying to penetrate the darkness, but their dream shatters at last, just like the dust inside.

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"lay deep in his head, and because of their depth seemed to glitter with intensity". This is a portrayal of Crooks' eyes. The combination of darkness and light here implies the loneliness and inner heat of Crooks. Crooks is a black and is separated by the whites so he is very lonely. The depth of his eyes suggests that he is sad, tired and lonely, but the eyes "glitter with intensity", which suggests that in his deep heart, he is longing for accompaniment and he has depressed passion inside.

"In the stable bunk's room a small electric globe threw ...

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