Critical Analysis of Mice and Men!
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Of Mice and Men is a commonly used work of literature due essentially to the form and the issues it raises. John Steinbeck’s use of dialogue, verses contextual description, makes the work accessible to younger readers, as does his use of repeating images. of equal importance is the way in which he throws in the themes of friendship and loneliness. By focusing on a group of loners, Steinbeck highlights the isolation and sense of being different that can seem so overwhelming when one is growing up.!
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Of Mice and Men also explores the way in which events can hinder the realization of one’s dreams. It demonstrates a group of imperfect individuals against a set of circumstances that they are unable to overcome. Steinbeck’s intent was to demonstrate that events often have a life of their own and need not reflect the presence of a greater being that punishes.!
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Throughout John Steinbeck’s career, his compassion for the average person’s moral struggle is common throughout his works. Of Mice and Men, set in California’s Salinas Valley, shows the world of the migrant worker, Of Mice and Men’s George and Lennie dream of a piece of land to call their own and set about to try and achieve this.!
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Published in 1937, Of Mice and Men reflects Steinbeck’s belief in the interdependence of society, a theme he explores in the body of his works. The characters in the novel, dream of land which represents independence and dignity. George and Lennie represents the ordinary person’s struggle to attain a dream, which consists of “a little bit of land, not much. Jus’ som’thin that was his.”!
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The best laid plans of mice and men can, and do, go wrong. They are doomed from the start because of Lennie’s fatal disability but his naiveté also allows both him and George to try and achieve the dream. Lennie’s innocence allows George to believe that the dream might be i reach: “George said softly, ’I think I knowed we’d never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would.’” Lennie is the keeper of the dream, he simply believes. Without this, George would be wasting his money on women and whiskey, drifting aimlessly.!
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Steinbeck uses characters such as