Human Existence In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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The human existence is often scrutinized by those who spend their lives trying to understand why we work the way we do. Often times, we see our primitive and predatory behaviours brought into light by our own selves, and not just those who may be studying it. The John Steinbeck classic, “Of Mice And Men”, tends to highlight these specific behaviours- the predatory nature- throughout the novella. This does not just include violent or otherwise socially unacceptable animalistic behaviours, but the things that drive us to fight for our basic necessities as well. The first example of the more violent side of the predatory nature can be seen when presented with the simple “predator vs. prey” ideology seen many times within the book. The second example …show more content…

These habits are most notably seen again in the character of Lennie, who tends to be the books most prominent example of the case in point. Lennie, at his very core, is driven by his need to survive. While the human species may tend to forget it, and while it may not always be such a major forethought in our minds, we are all driven by our need to survive. “His huge companion dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse.” (3). The most basic necessities to survival is food and water. In this quote, we see Lennie demonstrate truly how driven he is by his primal nature simply by the way he takes in water, “snorting into the water like a horse.” Precedently, we see this mindset demonstrated with Lennie’s focus on food. “George- why ain’t we goin’ on to the ranch and get some supper? They got supper at the ranch.” (7). While these things are more material related necessities, Lennie seems just as driven by emotional needs, often forgotten as necessities of life; companionship and joy. “Curley’s wife moved away from him a little. “I think you’re nuts,” she said.
“No I ain’t,” Lennie explained earnestly. “George says I ain’t. I like to pet nice things with my fingers, sof’ things.” (90). These things bring him happiness, and many times throughout the story Lennie seems to be quite focused on them and the feelings that something as simple as a soft item brings. “If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not

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