Human Nature, Human Desire
Of Mice and Men is an allegory of the myriad of aspects of human nature which conveys the duality of idealization and reality through John Steinbeck's application of symbolism and dialect. Steinbeck employs a clashing duo of protagonists to depict the endurance of a gloomy reality with the assistance of a wholesome hope and a mutual aspiration.
Lennie Small and George Milton exemplify, through their relationship and interactions with a collocated group of static characters, that security or survival cannot be achieved in the natural state of isolation. Lennie is a juvenile man of tremendous stature, predominantly characterized by his ingenuity. His naivety shields him from circumstantial despondence (Hickey ed. 4:1-3). …show more content…
Their Gatsby-esque longing for a relatively perfect future, which George is aware is out of reach, is the sole factor behind their persistence and work ethic. The dynamic duo fantasizes about being liberated from their working conditions and attaining the ability to manage themselves financially (Cardullo vol. 16, no. 1, 19). Because Lennie’s cognition causes him to be unable to grasp the significance of self management, he must cling onto the hope that he will be able to tend rabbits. This tangible aspiration appeals to his kinesthetic fascination and equates his initiative to that of George. With each near-verbatim reference to their dream, a feeling of anticipation is set, as if the moment they could finally reap that which they sowed is …show more content…
The Great Depression is known as an era of prevalent race and class distinction. Curley’s wife serves as an example of the gap between classes. Each of her appearances is prefaced with an inquisition regarding Curley’s whereabouts when she, in fact, is not seeking him, but seeking attention from his co-workers. This builds upon the idea that she is dissatisfied with her marriage and married her husband simply because of his modest wealth and the upholding of her status (Leaf vol. 26:4). Racial discrimination is exhibited by Crooks, the stable buck, and his physical and metaphorical separation from the rest of the workers. Crooks lives apart from the other hands and does not grant them entrance to his room (Steinbeck 105). He conceals his loneliness and guards himself with a front of bitterness. When faced with Lennie’s vulnerability, Crooks is able to lower his guard and express his emotions to Lennie. His offer to “work for nothing- just his keep” (Steinbeck 115) on George and Lennie’s dream ranch denotes his understanding that he is considered inferior to them in terms of racial hierarchy. The use of dialect constructs an idiosyncratic mood when juxtaposed with Steinbeck’s erudite narration. Although Steinbeck is a man of upper class, his background as a ranch worker allowed him to apply dialect as an aid in the portrayal
Of Mice and Men is an allegory of the myriad of aspects of human nature which conveys the duality of idealization and reality through John Steinbeck's application of symbolism and dialect. Steinbeck employs a clashing duo of protagonists to depict the endurance of a gloomy reality with the assistance of a wholesome hope and a mutual aspiration.
Lennie Small and George Milton exemplify, through their relationship and interactions with a collocated group of static characters, that security or survival cannot be achieved in the natural state of isolation. Lennie is a juvenile man of tremendous stature, predominantly characterized by his ingenuity. His naivety shields him from circumstantial despondence (Hickey ed. 4:1-3). …show more content…
Their Gatsby-esque longing for a relatively perfect future, which George is aware is out of reach, is the sole factor behind their persistence and work ethic. The dynamic duo fantasizes about being liberated from their working conditions and attaining the ability to manage themselves financially (Cardullo vol. 16, no. 1, 19). Because Lennie’s cognition causes him to be unable to grasp the significance of self management, he must cling onto the hope that he will be able to tend rabbits. This tangible aspiration appeals to his kinesthetic fascination and equates his initiative to that of George. With each near-verbatim reference to their dream, a feeling of anticipation is set, as if the moment they could finally reap that which they sowed is …show more content…
The Great Depression is known as an era of prevalent race and class distinction. Curley’s wife serves as an example of the gap between classes. Each of her appearances is prefaced with an inquisition regarding Curley’s whereabouts when she, in fact, is not seeking him, but seeking attention from his co-workers. This builds upon the idea that she is dissatisfied with her marriage and married her husband simply because of his modest wealth and the upholding of her status (Leaf vol. 26:4). Racial discrimination is exhibited by Crooks, the stable buck, and his physical and metaphorical separation from the rest of the workers. Crooks lives apart from the other hands and does not grant them entrance to his room (Steinbeck 105). He conceals his loneliness and guards himself with a front of bitterness. When faced with Lennie’s vulnerability, Crooks is able to lower his guard and express his emotions to Lennie. His offer to “work for nothing- just his keep” (Steinbeck 115) on George and Lennie’s dream ranch denotes his understanding that he is considered inferior to them in terms of racial hierarchy. The use of dialect constructs an idiosyncratic mood when juxtaposed with Steinbeck’s erudite narration. Although Steinbeck is a man of upper class, his background as a ranch worker allowed him to apply dialect as an aid in the portrayal