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Character study of mice and men
Character study of mice and men
Character study of mice and men
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The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck teaches readers many lessons, varying from power to violence. Steinbeck uses Lennie and Curley to show the reader any position of power holds advantages and disadvantages. Lennie isn't so quick, he's big and intimidating, he's targeted but knows he has no power over anyone. When Lennie and George arrive at the ranch he is immediately singled out, he is a big man and several comments were made about him. Curley the boss’ son is intimidated by bigger men because he doesn't hold the physical power. He will do things like, “He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms bent and his hands closed into fists.” (Steinbeck 25) Curley instantly becomes defensive, he is in a high position
In John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, Curley’s insecure character is shown through what other characters say about him. One instance in which Curley’s insecure disposition is shown is when the other men are talking about him after he verbally attacks Lennie. When George demands to know why Curley disrespected Lennie, one of the other men responds saying Curley tends to pick fights with big guys like Lennie and furthermore explains, “Kind of like he’s mad at ‘em because he ain’t a big guy” (26). A great deal of Curley’s insecurity stems from his size. Despite superficial efforts to make himself appear bigger, Curley knows he will never amount to the size and strength of the other men on the ranch. To compensate for his size, he often times tries to prove himself through fighting.
How Steinbeck Uses Two of His Characters to Explore the Role of Power in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Do you know of someone who has abused the power bestowed upon them? Some people change when they get power over other people. Steinbeck has really captrured this in the book Of Mice And Men. One of the themes of this book is ‘Individuals in positions of power are often cruel to those without them.’ This is shown by the way Curley acts to everyone because hes the bosses son.
Strengths and Weaknesses play a huge roll within the story. Steinbeck explores different types of strength and weakness throughout the novel. As the novel begins, Steinbeck shows how Lennie possesses physical strength beyond his control, as when he cannot help killing the mouse. Great physical strength is valuable in George and Lennie's circumstances. Curley, as a symbol of authority on the ranch and a champion boxer, makes this clear immediately by using his brutish strength and violent temper to intimidate those who look down on him. Lennie means no harm at all. The reason why George and Lennie had to leave in the beginning of the novel was because it was believed that Lennie attempted to rape a woman there. Rape was not the case at all, when Lennie expressed his love for the touch of soft things, such as a dress or a mouse, this panicked the woman causing a chain reaction, and causing Lennie panic also. When Lennie accidentally kills the mouse, it foreshadows the future of Lennie and Curley's wife.
The daily struggle of the working class, fear of loneliness and the reality of putting all your energy into plans that fail are the different themes relating to John Steinbeck's novel, "Of Mice and Men". The characters depicted by the author are individuals who are constantly facing one obstacle after another. The book illustrates different conflicts such as man versus society, man versus man, man versus himself and idealism versus reality. The book's backdrop is set in the Salinas, California during the depression. The two main characters include two men, George and Lennie. Supportive characters include a few ranch hands, Candy, Crooks, Curly, Slim and Carlson.
Through George, Steinbeck establishes two themes of the story early: loneliness and male companionship. Later in the story, it is shown how all of the workers on the ranch besides Lennie and George travel alone. Because of this, all of the characters in the story exhibit some sort of loneliness throughout the story, and it becomes a recurring theme. All of the other workers on the ranch feel jealous of the relationship that Lennie and George have and also want that type of male companionship.
Social: So far in the story, Curley barely gets along with any characters, especially Lennie. As the Boss' son, he struts around the ranch and is very arrogant. Due to his social standing, George tells Lennie to avoid him at all cost because he doesn't want them to lose the job if he allows Lennie to fight back.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Was said by Abe Lincoln. Give a man power to see if he abuses it. Many things have changed now that it is 80 years later, but still there is stereotypical thought about these kinds of people. In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, control of power in the 1930s was greatly different than it is now and was simply based on the color of skin, how much money a person had, and if a person had disabilities.
Written in 1937, Of Mice and Men, by John Adolf Steinbeck Jr., American author and Pulitzer Prize winner, follows the lives of downtrodden farmhands, George and Lennie. As with many of Steinbeck's books, the themes in Of Mice and Men include his favored themes of class warfare and oppression of the working class. Steinbeck also focuses his literature on the power of friendship and the corrupt nature of mankind. In 1993, Professor Thomas Scarseth wrote a critical analysis of the novella analyzing many aspects of Steinbeck’s work including the presentation, themes, and writing style. In his essay, Scarseth explains the key themes of the Novella. He noted that the corrupted nature of man, the injustice of life, and the power of friendship were three important themes of the book. Much of Scarseth’s analysis contained numerous thoughtful insights. Were his insights and opinions valid, or were his, and Steinbeck’s, perspectives on these issues flawed?
John Steinbeck is the author that published the book Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck paints a portrait of hard times in the 1930s. He sets a morose tone throughout most of the book. He reveals unacceptable, powerful, and resilient times in America. He describes a world where the American Dream is a land where life should be better, richer, and fuller for everyone. He also includes complex characters on the ranch as villains and victims in the novel. For instance, Curley’s wife is portrayed as a villain because she kept taunting Lennie, she threatened Crooks, and she flirted with men on the ranch while she was married.
When you’re in a position of high authority, it comes with a great sum of power. Having a great deal of control can corrupt and can lead to the abuse of it. Abuse of power is using their power for their own benefit even if it may harm others. In the book Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, the effects of the abuse shown by Curley and Curley’s wife to the other characters will ultimately lead to a tragic end.
Throughout the book we are introduced to many characters with traits and qualities that make them each memorable and unique. These characters have interactions among each other that shows the way that power affects them. While there are a few characters that do not abuse their power, most of the characters respond to power or a lack of power with acts to make themselves make themselves feel more powerful. In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses the strengths and weaknesses of various characters to show how characters can prey on weaker characters in order to make themselves seem superior.
Mr. Curley’s has a dream to be an important and to be a powerful factor on the ranch. Mr. Curley is greedy when it comes to possessing power over those who work on the ranch. An example of his arrogance would be when he tells Lennie, “Well, nex’ time you answer when you’re spoke too.” (Steinbeck 26). Mr. Curley talks condescendingly to the men on the ranch especially Lennie. Mr. Curley doesn’t feel like feeling in competition with other men when it comes to having power on the ranch. Curley might feel insecure about his size which is why “He hates big guys. He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys.” (Steinbeck 26), Curley almost feels intimidated by the bigger men working for him by demonstrating his power that he holds over them. He
In John Steinbeck’s malign novella Of Mice and Men , unfolds the world where the forces of evil predominates the forces of good. As the story begins, the reader recognizes the feeling of both characters wanting to achieve their American dream, in their case owning a land. We can sense the world woven by the potency of greed as they have to endure while working in an environment of those who yearn for a better life. Nevertheless turns out to be their biggest obstacle they encounter and shatters our heart when a few individual’s dreams becomes a nightmare with their imminent death. By the end of the story, we see the perspective of other workers who suffer from being different. Given these points, the imbalanced scale of evil energy in the world can truly affect one deeply.
‘Of Mice and Men’ is a novel written by John Steinbeck about the Great Depression time period and was originally published in 1937. The novel consists of many techniques used by Steinbeck to engage and communicate with readers, such as dialogue, description, animal imagery and foreshadowing. These carefully considered four techniques allows Steinbeck to emphasise on the important aspects of the plot and convey vital messages as to engage the audience.