In his novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses imagery of light and trees to foreshadow an unhappy ending. In the beginning of the chapter, the willow trees are “fresh and green with every spring,” and the sycamore trees have “mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches that arch over the pool;” but, as the chapter progresses, “the sycamore leaves whispered in a little night breeze” (Steinbeck 1, 16). When the chapter starts, the imagery of the trees is very bright and promotes an image of beauty and joy; this symbolizes the temporary happiness of George and Lennie. However, at the end of the chapter, the description of the trees is much more eerie, and hints at sadness to come. The author also uses imagery of light as a symbol; at first,
