Light is one of the most important elements in a human life, without it we wouldn’t be able to live. John Steinbeck knew this when writing Of Mice and Men by using it give context clues to the reader. Steinbeck uses the light in environments to show the development of the main characters dream. George and Lennie are introduced in the first chapter with the idea that they have a dream to have their own farm one day. George often repeats this to Lennie, as Lennie asks to hear about it. Steinbeck uses light to show the growth and decay of George and Lennie’s dream.
In the very beginning of the book, Steinbeck shows a scene full of light and positive imagery. Steinbeck reveals a bright summer day full of hope and opportunity to reflect the same hope George and Lennie have about the American Dream. Steinbeck writes about the water: “, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight before reaching the narrow pool.” (Steinbeck 1) using twinkling and sunlight to show the reader the bright sun-shiny day. Steinbeck continues to use adjectives reflecting light throughout the first chapter, giving the reader a hopeful outlook on what will happen to their dream. Steinbeck uses the light to put the reader into a positive perception of the setting, and the characters …show more content…
Steinbeck brings out the darker side of this book through examples of darkness in a setting. The first time this darkness is shown is at the end of the very first chapter, as Lennie and George discuss their dream. Steinbeck writes: “The red light dimmed on the coals...The sycamore leaves whispered in a little night breeze,” (Steinbeck 16) The reader may see this as night time falling but it has a much more foreshadowing idea. George uses the dream to help Lennie fall asleep, referencing to him recapitulating their dream before he shoots him. The theme of darkness is repeated throughout the book and shows the decay of the
In the very beginning of the book, Steinbeck shows a scene full of light and positive imagery. Steinbeck reveals a bright summer day full of hope and opportunity to reflect the same hope George and Lennie have about the American Dream. Steinbeck writes about the water: “, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight before reaching the narrow pool.” (Steinbeck 1) using twinkling and sunlight to show the reader the bright sun-shiny day. Steinbeck continues to use adjectives reflecting light throughout the first chapter, giving the reader a hopeful outlook on what will happen to their dream. Steinbeck uses the light to put the reader into a positive perception of the setting, and the characters …show more content…
Steinbeck brings out the darker side of this book through examples of darkness in a setting. The first time this darkness is shown is at the end of the very first chapter, as Lennie and George discuss their dream. Steinbeck writes: “The red light dimmed on the coals...The sycamore leaves whispered in a little night breeze,” (Steinbeck 16) The reader may see this as night time falling but it has a much more foreshadowing idea. George uses the dream to help Lennie fall asleep, referencing to him recapitulating their dream before he shoots him. The theme of darkness is repeated throughout the book and shows the decay of the