How Does Steinbeck Use Irony In Of Mice And Men

Steinbeck uses a lot of clever irony throughout the novel Of Mice and Men. The major irony in the book is that George kills Lennie because he wants to spare Lennie from dying a brutal death at the hands of Curley and the other ranch hands who are enraged over the death of Curley’s wife. Therefore, he selflessly does the terrible deed himself, as a merciful act to his friend. Ironically, George steals Carlson’s pistol which is the same pistol that killed Candy’s old dog in order to save it from suffering and misery. Ironically, the ranch hands felt great sympathy and sorrow for Candy over the loss of his dog; but they feel no sympathy for George over losing his best friend and companion. Slim is the only one who realizes the irony of the shooting, and he tries to comfort George by telling him “you …show more content…
In the beginning of the story, George tells Lennie how he could have had a good life without him; however, at the end of the book when George kills Lennie, he is depressive and devastated. Steinbeck also ironically gives names for some characters. For example, Lennie’s last name is Small; however, he is actually big and strong as a bull, which is somewhat ironic by considering his size and physical strength. Another example is that Curley’s wife is actually given no name in the story, which is irony and also somehow reflects that women might not be respected by others at that period of time. Moreover, since this book is related to the poem by Robert Burns called “To a Mouse”, it also plays an important role to the story. The “Men” in the book and in the poem have to plan and think about the future; however, the “Mice” does need to go through these trouble. It is ironic how Lennie is supposed to be more of a “Men” in the story but instead is more like a “Mice” since he is harmless, innocent, gentle, and