Of Mice and Men is set in the 1930's, this is important as during the 1930s, in which the novel was set, an economic disaster was taking place.

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Of mice and men coursework essay

Of Mice and Men is set in the 1930’s, this is important as during the 1930s, in which the novel was set, an economic disaster was taking place. It was very difficult to find a job at this time, because of this man-made catastrophe. This context relates to the novel a lot and shows the reader a reason why George and Lennie were so close with their journey searching for their dream.

Steinbeck creates atmosphere brilliantly in Of Mice and Men. He uses the verb as a descriptor, and by including contrasts, similes and metaphors, the recurring themes of light and sound and suspense, he creates a very vivid atmosphere. The characters which he used are also described in such a way that he infers a sense of atmosphere in the book.

First of all, Steinbeck uses themes of light and sound. At the beginning of chapter one, describes the scene very vividly, using such phrases as, "fresh and green", "yellow sands" and "golden foot-hill". These are soft colours, and so imply a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere. Then, he uses such phrases as "pounded" which breaks the tranquillity and implies another atmosphere through the use of movement.

The light is again used "flamed with the light of the sun", and this is presenting us with a different atmosphere, but using the same method. Again, sound is used directly afterwards, "rustled", to give a change of atmosphere. This interrupts the natural calm again, making the place very vivid to us.

Once again, "half-darkness" is used with reference to light, broken by a sound, "whisked". This creates a sense of atmosphere again, and Steinbeck uses this method throughout the book. Like the start of the chapter, the end finishes with light too, "the red light dimmed on the coals" and it is interrupted by sound, "yammered".

Steinbeck's fascination with sunlight is borne through into chapter two. "Bright dust-laden bar” and "the sun square" are both used to focus attention on a certain area highlighted by light, so a certain atmosphere is created. More sunlight is described, "Rectangle of sunshine", which is again followed by an interrupting sound, "screech". This is used a lot.

At the end of the chapter, "the sunshine lay in a thin line" is used to create atmosphere in a different way; to show the passage of time.

In chapter three, we still have a reference to light at the beginning, broken by sound, to portray an atmosphere, "evening brightness" - "thuds and clangs". This is continued where a main beam of light, "threw its brightness straight downward" and this creates an atmosphere where only the main characters and illuminated (i.e. featured) and everything else, in darkness, is peripheral to the story.

Animal imagery is also very important in creating atmosphere. By describing people and things using it, Steinbeck can paint a vivid picture of events which every reader can relate to, because we all have experience of animals.

Lennie is described as "the way a bear drags his paws". This immediately gives the reader an idea of what is meant. "Snorting like a horse" is used too. As we go through the book, more and more animal imagery is used, especially regarding the relationship between Lennie and George. This is important in atmospheric description, because the relationship is central to things happening around them, and gives us reasons for many of the twists of the plot, so it is imperative that we understand and have a picture of how George and Lennie interact. Their relationship is a 'master and dog' one, and the animal imagery used is vividly describing the atmosphere in which George and Lennie co-exist.

Animal imagery is not only used to describe the characters, but also their movements, which give us an idea of the overall atmosphere. For example, "Lennie lumbered" shows us that there is tension and that the atmosphere is heavy. The movements of other characters like Curley are described using animal imagery too. We get an idea of the atmosphere in the bunk-house when Curley is described as a "terrier". It is the power of Steinbeck's language which makes the image vivid for us.

The descriptions of people are very important in creating atmosphere too. The contrast between George and Lennie, "walked his opposite", creates atmosphere, because with an aspect of humour, we get the feeling that in this case, opposites attract, and so the bond can be illustrates through this. This is important for atmosphere because in order to understand the story, and the surroundings, we must have an idea of how the characters inter-relate.

Descriptions of Slim, "understanding beyond thought” can help to create an atmosphere too, because there is tension when he enters the room, "all talk stopped". The farm life is also portrayed, "wore blue jeans and a short denim jacket", a further example of a created atmosphere.

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The description of Candy and his dog also adds to an atmosphere. They are both old, which is the opposite of a contrast (a similarity), and they are both nearly worthless. By likening the dog to Candy, and Candy to the dog, we learn more about both of them, and the atmosphere which is created leads to one of the important themes of the book, the American Dream. The atmosphere itself helps us understand more about the life of an itinerant worker, where there is tension between workers "watched him uneasily", and where it is a very cruel world, "I ...

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