John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men carries many themes and lessons in its few pages that without further examination, many people do not catch. These themes and morals are delivered through many different types of literary elements, added in piece by piece, to create a true work of art. Three of the main themes that are brought to light in this novel are the symbolism of hands, the decision of leaving your childhood behind, and the symbolism of mice. In the novel, there are many uses of symbolism. One symbol used throughout is hands. Hands are used to represent power: who posses it, and who demonstrates it. For example, when introducing the character Lennie in the first chapter, Steinbeck describes his as a very large man, whose “ arms did
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George began to inspect the living space, and he “got up and lifted his tick and looked underneath it. He leaned over and inspected the sacking closely. Immediately, Lennie got up and did the same with his bed.” George often mentions that he could be much better off if he just left Lennie behind, similar to how many kids wish away their childhoods with the hopes that adulthood will be so much better. However, adulthood can be represented by the other ranch workers. They have little that they live for, other than to work all day in the sun, and spend their pay on gambling and drinks. It is thought that Lennie had been what has kept George from that life. A further example of how aging takes away from who you are is Candy, who talks about how age is crippling, and makes you feel useless. When Curley’s wife is discovered dead, Candy realises that the dream ranch will never become a reality, and says “I could have hoed in the garden and washed dishes for them guys.” Steinbeck includes this line to show how meager Candy’s dreams are. It can be explained that they are like this because of his age, and lack of childishness. This novel shows that while in some ways it is necessary, leaving your childhood behind changes a person. They lose a part of them that they never get …show more content…
When George asks Lennie why he had the dead mouse, Lennie responds by saying “I’d pet ‘em and pretty soon they bit my fingers and I pinched their heads a little and then they was dead- because they was so little”. This quote begins to show how in the book, mice can be seen as a symbol of the fragility of life and fate, and how one action, even a small one, can change someone’s entire future. When Lennie touched the girl’s dress in Weed, a seemingly innocent action at the time, it caused him and George to have to flee town and seek other employment. A series of events triggered by that small, seemingly insignificant action followed, which ultimately led to George having to shoot Lennie. As well as the fragility of life, this book also demonstrates how a dream can become an attainable reality, but how fate can cause that reality to be torn away from you. When Candy offers money to George to put towards the ranch, this crazy dream becomes an attainable reality. However, shortly after, Lennie accidentally kills Curley 's wife, causing that attainable reality to be pushed back into being a
George began to inspect the living space, and he “got up and lifted his tick and looked underneath it. He leaned over and inspected the sacking closely. Immediately, Lennie got up and did the same with his bed.” George often mentions that he could be much better off if he just left Lennie behind, similar to how many kids wish away their childhoods with the hopes that adulthood will be so much better. However, adulthood can be represented by the other ranch workers. They have little that they live for, other than to work all day in the sun, and spend their pay on gambling and drinks. It is thought that Lennie had been what has kept George from that life. A further example of how aging takes away from who you are is Candy, who talks about how age is crippling, and makes you feel useless. When Curley’s wife is discovered dead, Candy realises that the dream ranch will never become a reality, and says “I could have hoed in the garden and washed dishes for them guys.” Steinbeck includes this line to show how meager Candy’s dreams are. It can be explained that they are like this because of his age, and lack of childishness. This novel shows that while in some ways it is necessary, leaving your childhood behind changes a person. They lose a part of them that they never get …show more content…
When George asks Lennie why he had the dead mouse, Lennie responds by saying “I’d pet ‘em and pretty soon they bit my fingers and I pinched their heads a little and then they was dead- because they was so little”. This quote begins to show how in the book, mice can be seen as a symbol of the fragility of life and fate, and how one action, even a small one, can change someone’s entire future. When Lennie touched the girl’s dress in Weed, a seemingly innocent action at the time, it caused him and George to have to flee town and seek other employment. A series of events triggered by that small, seemingly insignificant action followed, which ultimately led to George having to shoot Lennie. As well as the fragility of life, this book also demonstrates how a dream can become an attainable reality, but how fate can cause that reality to be torn away from you. When Candy offers money to George to put towards the ranch, this crazy dream becomes an attainable reality. However, shortly after, Lennie accidentally kills Curley 's wife, causing that attainable reality to be pushed back into being a