assignment - of mice and men
Created | Updated Mar 8, 2006
Of Mice and Men.
Question:
It has been said that ‘of mice and men’ is sad but not entirely pessimistic. Do you feel that Steinbeck shows any Hope and optimism about life? Explain your reasons.
Part 1, Introduction.
‘Of Mice and Men’ is a sad story with pessimism throughout. Steinbeck’s use of Imagery in the book is important for the setup with his use of light, shadows and descriptive writing, which we will discuss. Steinbeck shows us that the characters optimism is in their dreams and shown in nature. Steinbeck shows the difference with sad being shown as emotion and pessimism shown with the attitude of characters. This is a balanced book as it shows the true harshness of life in the 1930s and deals with violence, death, racism and loneliness but Steinbeck shows a way out of the harshness by using escapism through the characters dreams.
Part 1, the Pessimistic Elements.
Loneliness is a major theme of the book, from the place name “Soledad” which is Spanish for solitude which may already suggest that the characters are lonely for example; Candy is reluctant to shoot his dog as this would end the life of his only friend and would leave him alone. Curly’s wife is also lonely, the way she acts with the men on the ranch and the way she dresses is to get attention is to release her from the boredom of her daily life. The descriptions of her as a flirtatious, sexual and dangerous, on page 32 Steinbeck uses colour.
“She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red.”
Also on the same page we have a description of her clothing
“And red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers”
This shows us a person who uses sexual provocation to get attention. Steinbeck shows sexism in the 30s with Curly’s wife, he does not give her a name because women in the 30s were often treated as meat and just there to look good or to me a mother and Steinbeck shows us that they are largely nameless victims.
The loneliest person is Crooks, a black stable buck. Page 67
‘He kept his distance and demanded that others kept theirs’
I feel that Crook’s loneliness is fated because of his colour and his attitude towards others.
‘Of Mice and Men’ is part of a poem by Burns ‘To a Mouse’ a theme can be seen in the poems line ‘gang aft agley’ which means ‘often goes wrong’. George and Lennie dream often goes wrong, which leaves them with pain that their plans are unachievable. Perhaps an overriding theme of the novel is that humanity is small and fragile in comparison with fate.
Part 2 - The Optimistic Elements
The American dream is for everyone to have their own place and to earn a position of respect to become whatever his will; determination and hard work can make him. In “Of Mice and Men” the idea of land becomes a symbol of better things, this is the dreams interpretation by Steinbeck. Curly’s wife dreams of being “in pictures”. George and Lennie dream of this bit of land. Page 16 “An’ live of the fat of the land”. This dream is concurrent throughout the book and is so strong Candy is drawn and even the distrustful Crooks believes, page 76,
“…If you…guys would want a hand to work for nothing - just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand. I ain’t so crippled I can’t work like a son-of-a-bitch if I want to”
Perhaps they see dreams as an unobtainable way out from the loneliness.
Friendship is a powerful tool because it is something we can all relate to. The power of friendship is shown on here:
“Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why” (p15-16)
Lennie knows that while he has George and visa versa, no harm will come to him and he will be able to protect George, Steinbeck is showing us the power of friendship and loyalty of friends as in a conversation with George and Slim on page 36 “we kinda look after each other” .Kindness in hidden with the death of Lennie, as being caught would have meant torture by Curly this would have been unbearable. People will argue that this is pessimistic; Steinbeck shows this as optimistic as it is a release for Lennie as he dies by the only person he truly trusts. Slim is given the longest introductions in the book; this shows Steinbeck is interested in this character. The descriptions give him a sense ‘majesty’, ‘authority’ and ‘understanding beyond thought’ the respect he receives is like that of a head of state, in comparison the character Curly he is thought of totally the opposite we see him as the most vile character in the book.
Steinbeck shows the world of nature as beautiful, colourful, peaceful but aggressive with his writing we can see this with Steinbeck’s adoration of Slim as the strongest (mentally and physically) and Lennie as physically strong with Steinbeck’s references to him as animal but mentally he is childlike. Nature is compared to human nature I.e. perfection (slim), awesome power (Lennie) and beauty (Curly’s wife). Steinbeck is saying to us that if we understand nature and put it in to practice that the world would be a better place.
Part 3 - Steinbeck’s Language and Style - Social and Historical Context.
It is often said that Steinbeck has a remarkable gift for metaphors and similes, he describes one as the head of a water snake as “like a periscope” this give an impression of focusing your attention but yet the image works. Steinbeck is also sparing with his descriptive words but he gives us enough descriptive word to keep us hooked. Steinbeck uses light as a descriptive tool he uses the flaming sunset on the Gabilan Mountains is a recurring image it seems that Steinbeck loves using the sunlight as a tool. Page 19
“the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one side of the windows, and in and out of the beam flies shot like rushing stars“
Steinbeck uses the light to set optimistic scenes with bright and lively colours and pessimistic scene with the dark and shadows. The use of descriptive sound is used mainly in the background to help our imagination to visualise the scenes for example on page 103
“The leaves rustled…and the shouts of men sounded again, this time much closer”
Steinbeck now gives us a sense of being there by the descriptions The language of the narrative is fairly simple; most vocabulary is of an everyday kind, except for names of items of farm equipment to which Steinbeck refers. In the dialogue, Steinbeck uses slang and non-standard terms such as “would of”, “brang” to convey an authentic sense of the speaking voice. Apart from the symbolism in the title, we should note the symbolic function of the killing of Candy's old dog. At various points in the novel shooting is mentioned as a way out of trouble (as when George says he would shoot himself if he were related to Lennie). The killing of the dog parallels the shooting of Lennie: both are depicted as merciful, in both cases the shot is in the same place (base of the skull) and Slim approves both killings. Steinbeck refers to Lennie with animal quotes such ‘as strong as a bull’, he never call’s Lennie. These are used natural and simple way never meaning to be aggressive just to show his strength. Steinbeck split the novella into six scenes. Like scenes of a play, each scene has a clear setting e.g. the bunk house. The settings are visual and simple.
Steinbeck relates to Darwinism when describing Candy and his dog – both succumbing to the cruel law of natural selection – the stronger, younger and more agile will overpower and dispose of the weak. Carlson acts like the stronger when saying to Candy,
He ain't no good to you, Candy. An' he ain't no good to himself. Why 'nt you shoot him Candy?
Carlson, like in natural selection, has no care for sentimentality and does not appreciate the bond between Candy and his dog. His only care is to remove the smell from the bunkhouse. Witnessing the disdain for his dog, Candy begins to fear that he himself is becoming old and beyond use, and thus no longer welcome either.
The Depression was a time in American history where the economy became affected by the Wall Street crash in 1929. In the South, after a series of droughts this area was called the dust bowl. He had many jobs; one was an itinerant ranch worker. Using the experience with The Depression, The Dust Bowl and his work he wrote ‘Of Mice and Men‘. Steinbeck won the Pulitzer Prize for his book the “Grapes of Wrath” in 1940 and in 1962 he was awarded the Noble Prize for Literature.
Conclusion
All considered, Of Mice and Men has both pessimistic and optimistic aspects to its plot. John Steinbeck uses the novel to illustrate the eternal human spirit, which, despite all the problems and troubles facing it, can continue to flourish due to the constant hope and optimism for the future. Relationships and companionships, such as that of George and Lennie, grow to greater than the sum of their parts – together they are united and carry each other forward. Despite the gloom sensed throughout and the tragedy of the ending, there is hope – optimism – love and respect to come from the most difficult of situations.
Question:
It has been said that ‘of mice and men’ is sad but not entirely pessimistic. Do you feel that Steinbeck shows any Hope and optimism about life? Explain your reasons.
Part 1, Introduction.
‘Of Mice and Men’ is a sad story with pessimism throughout. Steinbeck’s use of Imagery in the book is important for the setup with his use of light, shadows and descriptive writing, which we will discuss. Steinbeck shows us that the characters optimism is in their dreams and shown in nature. Steinbeck shows the difference with sad being shown as emotion and pessimism shown with the attitude of characters. This is a balanced book as it shows the true harshness of life in the 1930s and deals with violence, death, racism and loneliness but Steinbeck shows a way out of the harshness by using escapism through the characters dreams.
Part 1, the Pessimistic Elements.
Loneliness is a major theme of the book, from the place name “Soledad” which is Spanish for solitude which may already suggest that the characters are lonely for example; Candy is reluctant to shoot his dog as this would end the life of his only friend and would leave him alone. Curly’s wife is also lonely, the way she acts with the men on the ranch and the way she dresses is to get attention is to release her from the boredom of her daily life. The descriptions of her as a flirtatious, sexual and dangerous, on page 32 Steinbeck uses colour.
“She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up. Her fingernails were red.”
Also on the same page we have a description of her clothing
“And red mules, on the insteps of which were little bouquets of red ostrich feathers”
This shows us a person who uses sexual provocation to get attention. Steinbeck shows sexism in the 30s with Curly’s wife, he does not give her a name because women in the 30s were often treated as meat and just there to look good or to me a mother and Steinbeck shows us that they are largely nameless victims.
The loneliest person is Crooks, a black stable buck. Page 67
‘He kept his distance and demanded that others kept theirs’
I feel that Crook’s loneliness is fated because of his colour and his attitude towards others.
‘Of Mice and Men’ is part of a poem by Burns ‘To a Mouse’ a theme can be seen in the poems line ‘gang aft agley’ which means ‘often goes wrong’. George and Lennie dream often goes wrong, which leaves them with pain that their plans are unachievable. Perhaps an overriding theme of the novel is that humanity is small and fragile in comparison with fate.
Part 2 - The Optimistic Elements
The American dream is for everyone to have their own place and to earn a position of respect to become whatever his will; determination and hard work can make him. In “Of Mice and Men” the idea of land becomes a symbol of better things, this is the dreams interpretation by Steinbeck. Curly’s wife dreams of being “in pictures”. George and Lennie dream of this bit of land. Page 16 “An’ live of the fat of the land”. This dream is concurrent throughout the book and is so strong Candy is drawn and even the distrustful Crooks believes, page 76,
“…If you…guys would want a hand to work for nothing - just his keep, why I’d come an’ lend a hand. I ain’t so crippled I can’t work like a son-of-a-bitch if I want to”
Perhaps they see dreams as an unobtainable way out from the loneliness.
Friendship is a powerful tool because it is something we can all relate to. The power of friendship is shown on here:
“Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why” (p15-16)
Lennie knows that while he has George and visa versa, no harm will come to him and he will be able to protect George, Steinbeck is showing us the power of friendship and loyalty of friends as in a conversation with George and Slim on page 36 “we kinda look after each other” .Kindness in hidden with the death of Lennie, as being caught would have meant torture by Curly this would have been unbearable. People will argue that this is pessimistic; Steinbeck shows this as optimistic as it is a release for Lennie as he dies by the only person he truly trusts. Slim is given the longest introductions in the book; this shows Steinbeck is interested in this character. The descriptions give him a sense ‘majesty’, ‘authority’ and ‘understanding beyond thought’ the respect he receives is like that of a head of state, in comparison the character Curly he is thought of totally the opposite we see him as the most vile character in the book.
Steinbeck shows the world of nature as beautiful, colourful, peaceful but aggressive with his writing we can see this with Steinbeck’s adoration of Slim as the strongest (mentally and physically) and Lennie as physically strong with Steinbeck’s references to him as animal but mentally he is childlike. Nature is compared to human nature I.e. perfection (slim), awesome power (Lennie) and beauty (Curly’s wife). Steinbeck is saying to us that if we understand nature and put it in to practice that the world would be a better place.
Part 3 - Steinbeck’s Language and Style - Social and Historical Context.
It is often said that Steinbeck has a remarkable gift for metaphors and similes, he describes one as the head of a water snake as “like a periscope” this give an impression of focusing your attention but yet the image works. Steinbeck is also sparing with his descriptive words but he gives us enough descriptive word to keep us hooked. Steinbeck uses light as a descriptive tool he uses the flaming sunset on the Gabilan Mountains is a recurring image it seems that Steinbeck loves using the sunlight as a tool. Page 19
“the sun threw a bright dust-laden bar through one side of the windows, and in and out of the beam flies shot like rushing stars“
Steinbeck uses the light to set optimistic scenes with bright and lively colours and pessimistic scene with the dark and shadows. The use of descriptive sound is used mainly in the background to help our imagination to visualise the scenes for example on page 103
“The leaves rustled…and the shouts of men sounded again, this time much closer”
Steinbeck now gives us a sense of being there by the descriptions The language of the narrative is fairly simple; most vocabulary is of an everyday kind, except for names of items of farm equipment to which Steinbeck refers. In the dialogue, Steinbeck uses slang and non-standard terms such as “would of”, “brang” to convey an authentic sense of the speaking voice. Apart from the symbolism in the title, we should note the symbolic function of the killing of Candy's old dog. At various points in the novel shooting is mentioned as a way out of trouble (as when George says he would shoot himself if he were related to Lennie). The killing of the dog parallels the shooting of Lennie: both are depicted as merciful, in both cases the shot is in the same place (base of the skull) and Slim approves both killings. Steinbeck refers to Lennie with animal quotes such ‘as strong as a bull’, he never call’s Lennie. These are used natural and simple way never meaning to be aggressive just to show his strength. Steinbeck split the novella into six scenes. Like scenes of a play, each scene has a clear setting e.g. the bunk house. The settings are visual and simple.
Steinbeck relates to Darwinism when describing Candy and his dog – both succumbing to the cruel law of natural selection – the stronger, younger and more agile will overpower and dispose of the weak. Carlson acts like the stronger when saying to Candy,
He ain't no good to you, Candy. An' he ain't no good to himself. Why 'nt you shoot him Candy?
Carlson, like in natural selection, has no care for sentimentality and does not appreciate the bond between Candy and his dog. His only care is to remove the smell from the bunkhouse. Witnessing the disdain for his dog, Candy begins to fear that he himself is becoming old and beyond use, and thus no longer welcome either.
The Depression was a time in American history where the economy became affected by the Wall Street crash in 1929. In the South, after a series of droughts this area was called the dust bowl. He had many jobs; one was an itinerant ranch worker. Using the experience with The Depression, The Dust Bowl and his work he wrote ‘Of Mice and Men‘. Steinbeck won the Pulitzer Prize for his book the “Grapes of Wrath” in 1940 and in 1962 he was awarded the Noble Prize for Literature.
Conclusion
All considered, Of Mice and Men has both pessimistic and optimistic aspects to its plot. John Steinbeck uses the novel to illustrate the eternal human spirit, which, despite all the problems and troubles facing it, can continue to flourish due to the constant hope and optimism for the future. Relationships and companionships, such as that of George and Lennie, grow to greater than the sum of their parts – together they are united and carry each other forward. Despite the gloom sensed throughout and the tragedy of the ending, there is hope – optimism – love and respect to come from the most difficult of situations.
