Dreams In Of Mice and Men Essay

Of Mice and Men was indite by John Steinbeck in 1937. He wrote many another(prenominal) other books such as Tortilla Flat, The Red Pony, eastbound of Eden, The Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row and The Pearl. His most famous was the Grapes of Wrath.At the time Steinbeck wrote the novel, custody were the main workers on farms and banquetes but during the 1930s machinery began to take over and by 1938 Combines harvested half of Americas grain. George and Lennie, the ii main characters in the story, be pillowcases of migrant workers who farmed 800 miles across the state planes. All ranch workers travelled around America looking for jobs. They worked in very poor conditions and were paid two to iii dollars a day plus very prefatorial food.Every maven had their own inhalation but many large number came from other countries to live the American Dream totally believing that through hard work they would bewilder the opportunity to live a comfortable life.It is feasible that Steinbe ck wrote the novel based on his own experience as he used to work on a ranch. He knew what these workers had to go through and had the desire and belief to show other people what was actually happening at the time.It could be argued that Steinbeck focused on ranch life for a storyline as he lived near a ranch and he recognised the loneliness and pain of the workers and what they had to do to cumber themselves occupied.Steinbeck uses an arrangement of techniques to form a feeling of frankness for the reader by using similes e.g. A piss snake slipped along the pool, its head held up like a little periscope. This is a good showcase as it shows Steinbecks vision that he uses to describe the scenery and surroundings. This particular simile is symbolic for the reality of life for animals and humans. The snake is on the look out for food whilst at the corresponding time universe wary of any potential attackers. George and Lennies life is a constant battle for survival, the same as the snake.Steinbeck structured the novel like a play so that the reader isnt distracted by other things happening around in that particular scene. The story is spread over about three to four days during which George and Lennie travel to the new ranch until the ending in which George kills Lennie.This helps us to focus on the various aspects of the book where we are able to concentrate on one character at a time or an causa at a time. Steinbeck can describe more thoroughly the event or character instead of telling a long story. This is a very effective method acting of writing and keeps the readers interest who is able to build a clear image of the character.At the start of chapter vi Steinbecks description is almost poetic The deep green pool of Salinas River was still in the slowly afternoon. Already the sun had left the valley to go climbing up the slopes of the Gabilan Mountains, and the hilltops were rosy in the sun. solely by the pool among the mottled sycamores, a pleasan t shade had fallen. This is an intense description of the stage setting that the characters are in and enables the reader to develop a clear image of the surroundings. It is an example of Steinbecks imagery.Steinbeck uses a lot of Colloquial language and dialogue as the ranchmen speak a lot during the story and it is a great deal grammatically incorrect with slang or swearing. This adds vividness and colour to the description. There is a lot of portrayal through dialogue as each character speaks differently. Steinbeck also uses dialogue to inject humour e.g. His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, he looked kindly at the two in the bunkhouse. Its brightern a bitch outside.Steinbeck also uses intense descriptions in the novel, for example The Dream, Lennie and Georges dream of a small farm, a little bit of land and independence, is the same for all the ranch workers. The American Dream can be seen to be interwoven and the hope of universe free and bein g themselves. We should realise that Steinbeck is trying to illustrate a universal truth and that most people wish to have better lives which gives them freedom, rights and personal fulfillment.Similes and Metaphors are used very often and they are usually describing nature. The book is rich in unusual imagery as Steinbeck describes very thoroughly. As well as Similes and Metaphors, Onomatopoeia is used e.g. The red light dimmed on the coals. Up the hill a coyote yammered, and a dog answered from the other side of the stream. The sycamore leaves whispered in a little night aura. The outstrip example of a metaphor is On the Sand banks the rabbits sat as quietly as gray, sculptured stones. Emphasising again animals constant waryness of all around itAnimal imagery is used to describe Lennie e.g. Lennie plunge his paw in the water and wiggled his fingers. This shows us Lennies build and the federal agency his body moves as bears have paws and they move steadily with slow large move ments. Lennie always talks about rabbits and this relates back to Lennie being describe as an animal.Steinbeck uses sound well in his descriptions adding a further level of imagery for the reader. Clang of horseshoes in yard, far off shouts of Lennies pursuers help us to feel that we are witnessing events not only when reading them. Light is also used effectively in descriptive passages and the light on the Gabilan Mountains is a recurrent image to give the idea of vastness and timelessness.Every ranch worker has his own dream but most are very similar as they want to have freedom and to be an individual. Lennies dream is to Live off the fatta the lan an hav rabbits These dreams are part of the American Dream and ranch workers think that that some day it might come true.The phrase The best laid schemes o mice an men gang aft aglay. is from the poem by Robert Burns and this is the moral of the story. This is translated into modern English as The best laid schemes of mice and men o ften go awry meaning in George and Lennies case that no matter how hard they try to plan ahead and work for their dream something can always go wrong and in this case, it does.In the novel Steinbeck writes about many different come forths that still exist today, one of which is racial prejudice. This is illustrated in Crooks as he is denied human companionship because of the colour of his skin and this is part of the bigger theme of loneliness. Another issue is Ageism. This is illustrated by Candy who has outlived his usefulness. This is also a part of loneliness and is emphasized by his relationship with his dog and the way in which he is upset when it is shot. The final and main issue is loneliness. George and Lennie are able to get away from loneliness with their relationship but there are many people who cannot fend it off such as Crooks and Candy as they become cynical and bitter. It ends up killing Curleys wife as she cannot stand being on her own any longer.Steinbeck uses im agery to illustrate many reasons such as realism to symbolise deeper meanings and to portray society. He portrays loneliness as a human condition that we either succumb to or fight. Steinbeck doesnt state a way of fighting loneliness but just illustrates the problem as we begin to realise that we may neer find a solution.