Steinbeck Figurative Language

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John Steinbeck’s use of figurative language and local color in Cannery Row, Sweet Thursday and Of Mice and Men show his growth as a writer and highlight the reoccurring theme of loneliness and ostracism. The time gap in between these books show that Steinbeck grows as he experiences more throughout his life. Steinbeck’s novels are always set in California due to his extensive knowledge of the area since he has lived in the area his entire life. In all of his works the characters use parts of speech and actions that are customary to that area. Steinbeck’s personal life affects the themes of his writing significantly. In 1934 and 1935 Steinbeck lost both his mother and father, which made him view the world in a much darker outlook. Then in 1937, Of Mice and Men was published which revealed his negative outlook by ultimately having George kill Lennie in the end, proving that the loneliness would overwhelm George much like the loneliness that Steinbeck was dealing with in his personal life. In 1945 an unhappy Steinbeck, who supposedly had everything he could have ever wanted, moved out of his dream house in Monterey and never returned there again. That same year Cannery Row was published which also portrays a feeling of loneliness through Doc. Steinbeck’s writing suffered after the lose of his close friend Ed Ricketts in 1948, which effected his writing of Sweet Thursday because Ricketts was the model for the main character Doc. Steinbeck’s theme of loneliness continued in this novel. In the beginning of Sweet Thursday Mack is lonely because everyone has went off to war except for himself. Then Suzy shows up in town with not a single family member or friend. Also Joe Elegant is isolated because he is “different” from Mack and the bo... ... middle of paper ... ...so uses a generous amount of figurative language to portray Slim. Slim is depicted using a metaphor as, “a jerkline skinner, the prince of the ranch”. Slim is also said to have hands that are, “large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer.” Which is expressed through the practice of a simile. George also describes Lennie, using a simile, as, “jes’ like a kid”. Steinbeck also practices dialect familiar with the area and time through a metaphor by having George say, “Me an’ Lennie gonna roll up a stake.” This means to save up some money. The puppy that dies because of Lennie petting it is a symbol of Curley’s wife who also dies subsequently of Lennie petting her hair. The water snake at the end of the story is representational in nature as it glides “smoothly up the pool” by foreshadowing the evil that is impending upon Lennie’s fate.

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