Self versus Self in Of Mice and Men A person’s mentality determines whether or not their dreams will be accomplished. Certain character’s personal failures are what prohibits their dreams from coming true. Of Mice and Men was written during the Great Depression, moreover this was a time of never ending conflict in every aspect. Self versus Self conflict was a very common theme not only of this time period but in this book as well. The theme of self versus self was displayed through the motifs of commitment, Lennie, and the overall mentality.
Motifs are objects, people, or situations that authors use to develop the theme the author is trying to convey. The role of Lennie showcased major themes of this story. In a society that is ever …show more content…
Curley’s wife is a prime example of how commitment can rule life and take precedence over one’s dreams, and own personal goals. In the book she talks about how if she didn’t marry Curley she could have become an actress and made it somewhere. (Steinbeck) Marriage is a commitment which can either make you happy for the rest of your life, or in Curley’s wife’s example, ruin your life and keep you tied down to a sense of false love. Curley’s wife constantly battles this theme because she decided young on to get married and throw her entire life away because she felt she had no choice. Giving another person control of your life is also shown through George and Lennie’s relationship. “Steinbeck seems to be saying that the loneliness is even worse than the poverty: like Lennie and George, you can bear a lot more if you have a friend” (Shmoop Editorial Team). Despite George and Lennie never being ‘lonely’ in the literal sense, George always felt trapped because he could never leave Lennie and he always had to be a father figure to Lennie. The relationship between George and Lennie can be compared to a father-son relationship, but in this case Lennie has never grown up and he always is acting like a toddler who doesn’t fully understand his actions. Another example of how commitment can ruin someone’s life and take away their dreams is through Crooks character. As a slave he could never be able to have the same …show more content…
Poverty and commitment were recurring themes that got in the way of people’s dreams and took them away because characters in the book were not able to push past their own personal disabilities. Commitment took away most of the characters lives and killed their dreams because characters could not push themselves, just for themselves. Overall Of Mice and Men brought many prevalent themes in our society and showed how the only way one can accomplish them is through self motivation and doing it for one’s self and not for anybody
Motifs are objects, people, or situations that authors use to develop the theme the author is trying to convey. The role of Lennie showcased major themes of this story. In a society that is ever …show more content…
Curley’s wife is a prime example of how commitment can rule life and take precedence over one’s dreams, and own personal goals. In the book she talks about how if she didn’t marry Curley she could have become an actress and made it somewhere. (Steinbeck) Marriage is a commitment which can either make you happy for the rest of your life, or in Curley’s wife’s example, ruin your life and keep you tied down to a sense of false love. Curley’s wife constantly battles this theme because she decided young on to get married and throw her entire life away because she felt she had no choice. Giving another person control of your life is also shown through George and Lennie’s relationship. “Steinbeck seems to be saying that the loneliness is even worse than the poverty: like Lennie and George, you can bear a lot more if you have a friend” (Shmoop Editorial Team). Despite George and Lennie never being ‘lonely’ in the literal sense, George always felt trapped because he could never leave Lennie and he always had to be a father figure to Lennie. The relationship between George and Lennie can be compared to a father-son relationship, but in this case Lennie has never grown up and he always is acting like a toddler who doesn’t fully understand his actions. Another example of how commitment can ruin someone’s life and take away their dreams is through Crooks character. As a slave he could never be able to have the same …show more content…
Poverty and commitment were recurring themes that got in the way of people’s dreams and took them away because characters in the book were not able to push past their own personal disabilities. Commitment took away most of the characters lives and killed their dreams because characters could not push themselves, just for themselves. Overall Of Mice and Men brought many prevalent themes in our society and showed how the only way one can accomplish them is through self motivation and doing it for one’s self and not for anybody