...of Slim important to the novel as a whole? Slim is significant to providing a contrast to the depression and discrimination of the other characters on the ranch. His consistency makes him a tool of comparison and gives him a unique judge-like authority. Slim is important to contextualise other characters on the ranch. Because Slim is describes with such zealous descriptions such as ‘God-like eyes’ he is quickly established as a character with an excellent moral conduct. In contrast, Curley is described as ‘alla time picking scraps with big guys’. With Slim, we can constantly compare characters with him, to intensify their weaknesses. For example, Slim has an ‘authority so great that his word was taken on any subject’, whilst Curley ‘wore high-heeled boots’ to superficially show power. This comparison highlights Curley’s inner insecurity as we see he has to dress for respect whilst this comes to Slim naturally. Slim is also a character assessor on the ranch – his judgement on Lennie is that ‘he’s not mean’. All the time leading up to this, we as readers have probably already arrived to this opinion, but by an authoritive figure like Slim repeating it we can be sure of the innocence of Lennie’s actions. Furthermore, Slim’s power on the ranch makes him a voice of justice throughout the novel. Because justice is so subjective, Slim’s views provide an objective way of evaluating George’s latter decisions in the novel. We are initially surprised when we learn that Slim ‘drowned...
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...Question Of Mice and Men is set in California during the 1930s. This is an important time in US history because it was the time of the Great Depression, which did not end until the start of the Second World War. During this period of failed businesses, harsh poverty and long-term unemployment, many migrant workers came to California from other parts of America in search of work. The ranch workers in the book are all examples of people who have been affected by the Great Depression, as most of them are itinerant worker. One of them being Slim, who I am to be analysing from the book, to see what contribution and importance he makes in this Novel. Personally in my opinion John Steinbeck’s description of Slim “prince of the ranch” is a good explanation of the character. I believe this as He's the consummate Western man: masterful, strong, fair-minded, practical, non-talkative, and exceptionally good at what he does. Slim lingers in the shadow of his overwhelming description throughout the novel. He serves as the fearless, decision-maker when conflicts arise among the workers and wins the confidence of George, offering advice, comfort, and quiet words of wisdom. Steinbeck from the start makes Slim above the other men and this is continuous throughout the whole novel till the end of the story. He is a God among men, and his word on any subject is law. When Slim agrees with Carlson that Candy’s dog needs to be shot Candy’s reaction shows how much authority Slim has. “Candy looked...
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...in the long run making the popular decision instead of the right decision will eat at a person's conscience. In the novella Of Mice and Men, this quote proves true when looking back on people's decisions when using a psychological lens to analyze the characterization and conflict in Steinbeck's writing. A main theme when looking at Of Mice and Men is the behavior of...
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...Guadalupe Dominguez June 3, 2011 Humanities 303 Mrs. Nyhan Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck was a book that told the ultimate demonstration of love George had for Lennie. The first instant that George demonstrated that he cared for Lennie was when he asked Lennie to give him the mouse he had pulled out of the river. When Lennie gave George the mouse he began to cry so George said “Aw, Lennie!” “George put his hand on Lennie’s shoulder” (Of Mice and Men). “I ain’t taking it away just for meanness” (Of Mice and Men). “That mouse ain’t fresh, Lennie; and beside, you’ve broke it petting it” (Of Mice and Men). Here George demonstrated he cared about Lennie’s feelings. He wanted Lennie to understand that he was not taking the mouse from him just because he didn’t want him to have it; it was because it was died and he could get sick. George showed compassion toward Lennie when George places his hand on Lennie’s should as a way to comfort Lennie because the mouse was taken away from him. Another instant when George demonstrated he cared about Lennie was when Lennie got in trouble for the first time in Weed. Lennie said “jus’ wanted to feel that girl’s dress---jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse---Well, how the hell did she know you jus’ wanted to feel her dress?” (Of Mice and Men). Because Lennie grab this girl’s dress and wouldn’t let go he got accused of raping this girl. Since, no one was going to believe Lennie didn’t do anything...
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...Gloria Kim Mrs. Maniscalco College Prep English I November 2, 2015 Literary Signposts In the novella Of Mice and Men, there are many meaningful moments that stand out in the literature. These are called signposts. They let the reader discover the text and confirm their interpretations. Contrasts and contradictions, again and again, memory moment, aha moment, tough questions, and words of the wiser are all examples of signposts. Of Mice and Men is a novella about two migrant workers who travel from place to place looking for new work opportunities. By integrating again and again, tough questions and words of the wiser into Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck has developed a suspenseful novella. Throughout the book, Lennie tends to accidently kill many of the things he touches. He fails to acknowledge his personal strength over the feeble. All the mice that Lennie killed overtime represents the advantage between the strong and the weak. Lennie doesn’t mean to kill his own puppy or Curley’s wife but he can’t fix his same routine. He enjoys petting furry, soft things but sometimes puts a little too much force, killing the poor creatures. “’He was so little,’ said Lennie. ‘I was jus’ playin’ with him…an’ he made like he’s gonna bite me…an’ I made like I was gonna smack him…an’…an’ I done it. An’ then he was dead.’” (Steinback 87). The author made Lennie’s character...
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...Everyone has aspirations is life. Whether they are to become a scientist, discover new and amazing things, or become a star basketball player and be the highest paid player in the league; people dream about their future. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, is a story about two men’s, George and Lennie, eagerness of owning their own ranch. The readers follow them through the obstructions that stand in the way of that eagerness, which reveals the nature of dreams, loneliness, and sacrifice. Ultimately, Lennie, the mentally handicapped man who makes George's intention of owning his own ranch worthwhile, becomes the biggest hurdle to achieving that target. Through his use of characterization, imagery and setting, and symbolism in Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck demonstrates that dreams serve as an incentive, particularly when one is faced with the adversities of life. Steinbeck’s diction reveals that dreams cause people to persevere in attempts to accomplish their goals.On Sunday nights, all the ranchmen go to the club and the “weak ones” get left behind: Candy, Crooks, and Lennie. Lennie decides to go into the barn to play with his dog and while he is in there he gets approached by Crooks, the stable buck. At first Crooks is...
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...In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, loneliness is a powerful motif. This motif is constantly repeated throughout the story and helps the reader receive Steinbeck's view on isolation. John Steinbeck is saying that loneliness was normal during the Great Depression. As depicted in his novel, it was out of the norm to find two migrant workers travelling together, for everyone was scared of each other and many suffered as a result of being alone for too long. During the Great Depression, it was rare to see two migrant workers travelling together. When the two main characters, George and Lennie, were talking, they were saying that "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family.... With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us" (Steinbeck 15). George and Lennie were saying that most migrant workers travelled alone and rarely had a companion. Unlike most, George and Lennie had each other...
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...Characters in of mice and men ❖ Lennie - A large, lumbering, childlike migrant worker. Due to his mild mental disability, Lennie completely depends upon George, his friend and traveling companion, for guidance and protection. ❖ George - A small, wiry, quick-witted man who travels with, and cares for, Lennie. Although he frequently speaks of how much better his life would be without his caretaking responsibilities, George is obviously devoted to Lennie. George’s behavior is motivated by the desire to protect Lennie and, eventually, deliver them both to the farm of their dreams. ❖ Candy - An aging ranch handyman, Candy lost his hand in an accident and worries about his future on the ranch. Fearing that his age is making him useless, he seizes on George’s description of the farm he and Lennie will have, offering his life’s savings if he can join George and Lennie in owning the land. ❖ Curley’s wife - The only female character in the story, Curley’s wife is never given a name and is only mentioned in reference to her husband. The men on the farm refer to her as a “tramp,” a “tart,” and a “looloo.” Dressed in fancy, feathered red shoes, she represents the temptation of female sexuality in a male-dominated world. Steinbeck depicts Curley’s wife not as a villain, but rather as a victim. ❖ Crooks-crooks, the black stable-hand gets his name from his crooked back. Proud, bitter, and caustically funny, he is isolated from the other men because of the colour of his skin...
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...Of Mice and Men “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” This quote from James Truslow Adams “The epic of America”, states one of the themes in the novella Of Mice and Men. John Steinbeck, the author of Of Mice and Men, deals with the topic of living through the great depression, as the readers follow the story of two migrants workers and their wish to fulfil their American Dream. Steinbeck’s inspiration for his novella can be linked back to his own life, as he was both born and raised in Salinas Valley, the most productive agricultural region in California. This essay will cover Of Mice and Men’s setting, the characterisation of major characters and the key themes identified within the novella. Two protagonists, Lennie and George, travel around together to obtain work. Within the novella, Steinbeck has presented two obvious settings, and focused on the contrast between them. Nearing the beginning of the book, the two men spend a night in a small, secluded glade near the river. The description of the nature area could be compared to heaven, just a beautiful place as described in this quote: “On one side of the river, the golden foothill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Galiban mountains” (page 1, line 5), where the nature is described as majestic, strong and even golden. However a contrast is formed with the two men entering the setting...
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...down until it is finished. Steinbeck has touched the quick’. Of Mice and Men is a novel and film demonstrating the Heroes Journey and a tale of friendship that triumphs over incredible odds, of life in the dust bowl of the Great Depression. But what is it about Steinbeck’s novel that never ceases to appeal to all audiences? From Joseph Campbell’s novel The Hero With A Thousand Faces, a twelve step model known as ‘The Hero’s Journey’ and ‘Archetypes’ has been established. The Hero’s Journey is a narrative pattern that the leading character takes on their typical adventure, and the Archetypes are the supporting characters though out the story. The Heroes Journey and archetypes can be perceived in thousands of stories, dramas, storytelling, religious rituals and psychological development including Of Mice and Men. The narrative pattern of, Of Mice and Men starts with the first stage, what Joseph Campbell called ‘The Ordinary World’. George and Lennie’s ordinary world is going around America, from job to job and ranch to ranch to complete their ‘American Dream’, they wished to own their own property and ‘live offa the fatta the lan’. George and Lennie were forced to leave their hometown, Lennie did not realise his strength and got himself into trouble, this was common for Lennie, but George was always there to fix the problem. As discovered by the reader, George is portrayed as ‘the hero’, the natural leader, Slim as ‘the mentor’ who provides George and Lennie with helpful advice...
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...Power of Influence What would you do if you had the power to influence everyone around you? Well, Slim uses the great respect he has earned, to create a momentous role for himself. In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, George and Lennie travel around together, seeking work, in order to achieve their dream of living of the fat of the land with their own cottage, garden, and herd of animals. George is the care taker of Lennie, who has the mind of a five-year-old child and the strength of a bull. When they arrive at the Tyler Ranch where Slim is in charge of all the workers, they meet many folks, who George knows are going to cause trouble, and trouble they are sure to cause. Slim is the most influential character because all the workers at the ranch look up to and respect him; Slim is so respected that even Curley, the boss's...
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...Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men Steinbeck uses Crooks and Curley’s wife to portray Loneliness for minority people working on Ranches in the 1930’s; he uses precursors; light and dark to shape our response to these characters. One of the first precursors in the book is the tittle. Steinbeck has taken this from Robert Burns’ poem which says ’the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley’. This translates to the best laid plans of mice and men do often go awry. This tells us that Steinbeck has intentions to place bad things in the book to throw everyone off the trail they wish to follow or achieve. A person who Steinbeck has almost made clear from the start who is a trouble maker is Curley’s wife. From the moment we meet her in the book Steinbeck says she has ‘she had full rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her finger nails were red.’ Steinbeck writes it out to show she is a warning sign. He has made her all dressed up in red to show this. Steinbeck then focuses on her actions. He first focuses on her voice ‘her voice had a nasal, brittle quality. This says that she is trying to put on a tone for the new boys to try and get noticed. Then Steinbeck writes ‘She put her hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward.’ This is also showing that she wants to be noticed. Steinbeck has done this to show that she has been lonely and that she really wants to be noticed. She then starts to talk playfully with George and...
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...American Lit Justification for Mercy Killings The jurors for the trial of Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the physician convicted of second-degree murder for helping 130 terminally-ill patients commit suicide, had to decide whether or not he was justified in assisting the death of these patients. After reading Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, the readers have a chance to take a side on relatively the same issue of whether or not mercy killings are justified. The novel is about Lennie Small, a huge, mentally impaired man, and George Milton, a friend that looks after Lennie, searching for work in California during the Great Depression. Towards the end of the novel, Lennie enrages Curley by accidentally killing his wife, and George is left with the decision of whether or not to kill Lennie himself. George decides to shoot him solely out of love for his friend, but this killing initiates a debate in which the readers can take sides about his righteousness. Some people believe that George is justified in killing Lennie and should have done it, while others would argue that George should not have done it and should be held accountable for murder. In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, George Milton should have shot Lennie Small because George is his friend and knows what is best for Lennie, and he knows that if Lennie lives, he will suffer. Other people may believe that George should not have shot Lennie and should therefore be punished because Lennie has mental issues and his killing of...
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...Steinbeck’s, Of Mice and Men, is abundant in examples of animosity. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck examines how feeling threatened engenders violence through his portrayal of the violent outbursts of Curley, Lennie, and Curley’s Wife. Curley’s inner doubt leads him to lash out in violence. To start, Curley feels threatened by big people. Candy described that Curley was “alla time picking scraps with big guys” because he’s mad “he ain’t a big guy” (Steinbeck 26). When Curley is after Lennie, Steinbeck develops the threat of bigger people to Curley. In addition, Curley assaults people who his wife eyes. Because Curley’s Wife is promiscuous, Curley...
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...FRIENDSHIP IN STEINBECK'S OF MICE AND MEN A Sermon by Dean Scotty McLennan University Public Worship Stanford Memorial Church July 25, 2004 There are two different accounts in the New Testament of Jesus' disciples asking him how to pray. What has become known as the Lord's Prayer comes in two different forms, this one in today's gospel lesson from Lukei being shorter and less familiar than that in Matthew.ii They seem to stem from separate liturgical traditions in the early church. Matthew has seven petitions, while Luke has only five.iii But Luke alone follows the recitation of the Lord's Prayer with a fascinating parable about the potential limits of friendship in the middle of the night. The point of the parable seems to be that if one is persistent in asking something of a friend, even when it's very inconvenient, one's petitions will be answered. How much more will one be blessed, then, if one is persistent in praying to God, our heavenly Parent?iv John Steinbeck's short novel Of Mice and Men is all about friendship in the middle of the night -- that is, under very difficult circumstances of rural poverty during the Depression. Following my sermonic theme of the last couple of weeks -- not only loving God with all of one's heart, mind and soul but also loving one's neighbor as oneself -- I'd like to explore Steinbeck's understanding of friendship with you this morning. Ultimately, I hope it will illuminate what it means existentially to knock at the door and then have it...
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