Loneliness is a big theme in Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie are set apart from Slim, Crooks and Candy. They have something unique a special bond with each other.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck By Drew Jones Relationships are essential in everybody's life. Having no real friends makes life dull, dark and lonely. Loneliness is a big theme in Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie are set apart from Slim, Crooks and Candy. They have something unique a special bond with each other. Each character influences, plays a role to the other characters. Steinbeck's portrayal of the men's relationship seems minimal, but is in fact monumental. The setting of Mice and Men takes place on a ranch where George and Lennie meet Slim, Candy, Crooks, Carlson, Curly and Curly's wife. Although the story takes place over a three-day span, all the characters make a relationship with one another. One relationship is between George, Candy and Lennie. Candy a lonely man, is pressured into having his dog shot he confides in George about his regret. In return, George tells them of their dream. Now they have a bond, and share a goal that is within grasp. Candy is a true friend he helps during a crisis in a minute you come out and tell the guys about her, and I'll come along and make like I never seen her. Will you do that? So the guys won't think I was in on it? (104). Slim is the wise rational person. He is quick thinker during trivial and difficult situations. Slim and George build a friendship of trust, George tells Slim
How Does Steinbeck present the character of Lennie in Of Mice and Men?
How does Steinbeck present the character Lennie in Of Mice and Men? In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck presents Lennie as a childlike character who relies on George. Although the reader quickly learns that Lennie "ain't smart," the reader also learns later in the novel that "he's a God damn good worker." Lennie, just like many itinerant farm workers from 1930s America, wants to achieve the American dream and "tend the rabbits." When we are first introduced to Lennie in Section One of the novel, we learn that Lennie is both strong but, at the same time, unintelligent. Steinbeck refers to Lennie as "a bear." A bear is an animal which has a lot of strength. This characteristic of a bear is one of the characteristics that Lennie has: strength. However, most bears are unsure of when to use that strength. This shows us that Lennie, in addition to having a lot of strength, is unintelligent. This makes the reader feel slightly uneasy as it hints that Lennie may use his strength unwisely later in the novel. Steinbeck also presents Lennie as being childlike. Lennie looks "timidly" at George when George is in a bad mood, and Lennie asks a lot of questions. When a parent is in a bad mood, a child tends to be scared to approach that parent because of fear at being shouted at. This is why Lennie looks "timidly" at George-because he is scared that he will be shouted at, just like a child. In
Explore the Character Candy in "Of Mice and Men".
Throughout the novel, the themes of loneliness and the American dream are portrayed throughout. Steinbeck effectively uses the character, candy and his relationship with his dog to portray the dull and dismal society of 1930s America and the harsh effect it had on migrant workers across America. To initiate, the significance of Candy is first depicted through his name which implies his sweet caring nature which is evident for example through the relationship with his dog, 'i had him since he was a pup.' In addition, his recent friendship with George and Lennie and the joining of their dream implies that he is a likable character as Lennie and George form a bond with him. However, another facet of candy's character is later discovered by the audience as Steinbeck portrays him as a pathetic character- he often gossips about other ranch workers, 'you seen that glove on his left hand... that gloves fulla Vaseline... keepin that hand soft for his wife.' This pathetic characteristic candy possess is perhaps used as a vehicle to portray how ranch workers in the time of the great depression were also quite pathetic due to the greater forces at work such as the wall street crash. This is similarly illustrated in the poem, 'to a mouse' which inspired Steinbeck, it stats, 'the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley' which shows how no-one is in control of the inevitable forces
Comparing Crooks and Candy in the novel 'Of Mice and Men'
Comparing Crooks and Candy in the novel 'Of Mice and Men' John Steinbeck, in the novel 'Of mice and men', creates the two characters Crooks and Candy, who on the surface appear overtly different. However, Steinbeck establishes throughout the novel that underneath the surface the two characters are very similar. Due to the colour of Crook's skin , and the old age of Candy, both the characters fall prey to discrimination that leads to isolation. As Crooks is a victim to the racism evoked upon him, he is forced to live alone. This is because of the unjust prejudice of that period in time. Steinbeck cleverly conveys Crooks feelings towards his discrimination, by the statement 'glittering with intensity' when describing his eyes. This clearly conveys to the reader the anger he feels due the unjust prejudice he is a victim of. Whereas, Although Candy lives with the other workers he is still subtly discriminated against. This becomes apparent when the workers shoot Candy's dog because it is no longer useful. Steinbeck uses this to as a metaphor, and to also echo the fact that soon Candy will be no longer useful, due to his age and will not be wanted by the ranch. Moreover, since Steinbeck does not refer to both characters by name he indicates as to how they may be portrayed. As Crooks is firstly described by the racist term 'nigger', and Candy as 'The old swamper',
Who is the loneliest character in 'Of Mice and Men'?
Who is the loneliest character in 'of mice and men'. I think the loneliest character in 'of mice and men' is 'Crooks the stable-buck'. This character is a very lonely person and leads a very miserable life because of this making the reader fell sympathetic towards him. Crooks the stable-buck is lonely mainly because of his colour, there is a lot of racism at this point in history and black people were considered lower beings than white people and black people suffered greatly because of this and had virtually no rights to defend themselves, if they did they usually got killed. If it were not for this racism plagued environment then Crooks would probably make a success out of himself because he is actually one of the most intelligent people on the ranch. Crooks is lonely because he is the only person who has a room to himself, he is isolated because of this, he has nobody and no-one to talk to and people who dare enter his room get a frosty reception, 'you ain't got no right coming into my room, this here is my room, nobody got any right in here but me, this shows that the room is his only right of possession and defends this indefinitely. He says 'I ain't wanted in the bunk-house' which shows again he is left out of social happenings and left all by himself on a regular basis. He says to people who come in his room; 'you ain't wanted in this room' this is because he
Character Analysis - Devoted Lennie - Lennie Small - from John Steinbacks Of Mice and Men
CP English, Oct.5 Character Analysis Devoted Lennie Lennie Small, from John Steinbacks Of Mice and Men, is the least dynamic character, but also the star of this short but impacting novel. John Steinbacks conception of this novel is centered on Lennie's simplicity. Throughout the entire book, Lennie's personality and life seem based on three things: soft things, devotion to his protector (George) and his dream of one day owning a farm. Within the novel, Lennie shows no significant changes, development, or growth; yet is a favorite character by most readers. To start with, Lennie is protected. Lennie is protected by Slim, but mostly by George. Slim keeps Lennie from getting fired when Curley got his hand "caught in a machine" (64). Lennie is also protected by George; as friends they stick together, "I got you. We got each other" (104) and as friends they contribute all they can. George protects Lennie from many things; but is most remembered for protecting Lennie from being killed painfully by Curley. Candy's regret that he didn't kill his dog himself, foreshadows George's decision to shoot Lennie before Curley gets to him first. Also, Lennie is devoted. Devoted to the rabbits, and devoted to George. The rabbits are an important part of the novel. The rabbits are Georges way of keeping Lennie from getting into any trouble. George often reminds Lennie that he "...aint
The relationship between George and Lennie
"OF MICE AND MEN" JOHN STEINBECK The relationship between George and Lennie. From the start to the end of the book the most important and dramatic characters are George and Lennie. These two characters presented by the author as two close friends who are travelling to a ranch where they are looking for jobs, and to eventually achieve the "American Dream" of obtaining enough money to buy their own land and farm to live off the "Live off the fatta (fat of) the land". George, the small and keen one of the two, goes in front. Lennie, a big shapeless man with a feeble mind, but an enormous strength, comes after him. Lennie has been accused of assaulting a girl and that's why they had to leave town. He merely wanted to stroke her dress, because it seemed soft. Lennie loves soft, furry things, but he can't have a pet animal, for they all die under the pressure of his huge hands. George could not always prevent Lennie from getting into trouble and together they travelled from ranch to ranch, trying to gather as much money as they needed to get their own place, where Lennie could tend rabbits. As we progress throughout the story, this theme for George and Lennie's relationship seems follow on. This is very true in the narrow view of the story, but while reading the book I found a much more deeper and important description of George and Lennie's relationship. I first had the simple
Of Mice And Men Character Study – George
Of Mice And Men Character Study - George George is a central character in the story. I really like George as a character because he is believable. Lennie is a nice character but I prefer George because I can relate him to real life. When we first meet George John Steinbeck describes him as, "small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose." I think John Steinbeck uses his looks to help portray his character. We learn later that he is strong-minded because he perseveres with things like when he takes the mouse from Lennie and when raising the money for the little house with some land. This characteristic is made clearer by Steinbeck's initial description of George having strong features. George is also a leader. Lennie completely relies upon George and even when he is in trouble or away from George his thoughts return to him. This is shown clearly when he is in Crook's room and he says, "but it ain't no lie. Ever' word's the truth, an' you can ast George." It is also clear at the end when Lennie has run into the bush and all that he is worried about is what George will think. As the story goes on we find that Candy also starts to rely on George. When he finds that Curley's wife has been killed he goes straight to George for assistance and when he
Anger and Violence Portrayed in Of Mice and Men.
Anger and Violence Portrayed in Of Mice and Men In Steinbecks Novel of Mice and Men, anger and violence is a common occurance. Anger either envoked by fear , jealousy or anxiety. Lennie is always the source of this anger, whether it be toward him , because of him , or from him. All anger revolves around him. One of the first characters to portray anger in this Novel is George, Lennies partner. From very early on anger is being shown towards Lennie. Georges anger is at the fact Lennie wants something that they do not have, yet because it is Lennie who is asking, they are expected to have it. This is probably due to the innocence of Lennie. George tells him "Well we aint got no ketchup!", his anger is clearly envoked out of frustration, as he goes on to talk about how he could do "Whatever the hell " he liked if Lennie wasn't around. "I could get my 50 bucks at the end of the month and go sit in a cat house and enjoy myself, but no, I'm stuck with you". George is almost saying the Lennie is a burdon to him, that because of Lennie he can't do what HE wants , yet he is always expected to get Lennie what he wants instead. Like a parent would do with its child, or a owner with its pet. This is the reason for the anger George portrays at Lennie, the frustration of not getting what he would like for a change. The first glimpse at violence in this novel is when Lennie is attacked by
Of Mice and Men coursework
At the end of the novel Slim says of Lennie's killing, "You hadda George. I swear you hadda." How far do you agree with him and why? In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, George's decision to kill Lennie may be considered the most prudent. One of the reasons that leads George to kill Lennie is their brother-like connection. They were so bonded and united that George's act may be measured out as being humane. Also, the end of the novel is prefigured at the beginning by the incident of Lennie with the lady at the Weed. Firstly, I am going to explain how difficult it was for George to kill Lennie near the lake while Lennie was innocently thinking about the piece of land they were going to buy. At first, George didn't manage the pressure to kill him, as this quote shows us, "George raised the gun and his hand shook, and he dropped his hand to the ground again". The tension and pressure start increasing as soon as the men start to arrive to the place where Lennie and George were, the sound of footsteps coming closer, "There were crashing footsteps in the brush now!", the voices becoming louder, "The voices came close now. George raised the gun and listened to the voices.", and Lennie begging that he wants to get the place, all this build up the tension and pressure on George so that he'll kill Lennie. Another reason for George having to kill Lennie is so that he
