The topic of strength and weakness is discussed widely through literature and media. One literature piece that does this best is John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck’s use of motifs in the novella Of Mice and Men reveals the theme of strength and weakness. One of the motifs that is constantly being discussed is that people with strength will always take advantage over the weak. An example of this would be Curley starting a fight with Lennie as he says, “Come on ya big bastard”. Get up on your feet” (Steinbeck, 69). Curley picks a fight with Lennie, knowing that he is mentally weak, takes advantage of that to try to beat him up. Even though Curley loses, his actions show how people with strength will take advantage of the weak to benefit themselves. Additionally, …show more content…
An example of this is when they decide to kill Candy’s dog, when Carlson says, “I’ll put the old devil out of his misery right now” (Steinbeck, 52). Candy’s dog was the embodiment of weakness as he was struggling physically since he was blind and he was hurting when he was doing simple things like walking. The death of Candy’s dog emphasizes how the ranch has always favored things that have strength rather than weakness. Another example that illustrates this motif is towards the end of the book, describing Lennie’s death as, “The crash of the shot rolled up the hills. Lennie jarred, and then settled slowly forward” (Steinbeck, 117). Throughout the novella, Lennie was considered to be one of the many things representing weakness because of his mental capabilities. Similar to the death of Candy’s dog, Lennie’s death highlights how eventually, someone who has strength in certain areas will always replace those who are weak. One motif that was constantly explored was those representing weakness, such as Candy’s dog and Lennie will always perish in favor of
The beginning of the book introduces this world in such a beautiful way, lifting your emotions with a tone in a wonderful, peaceful landscape; and then sends that setting descending and crashing over a cliff into a dark miserable environment. The stronger characters in this setting attack the weak, and the weak attack the weaker, more vulnerable people. An interpretation of the strong against the weak is when Carlson necessitates Candy, "I'll put the old devil out of his misery right now," (p.47) to allow him to shoot his dog. An example of the weak attacking the weakest and fragile is when Crooks harasses and mocks Lennie, "jus' s'pose he don't come back," (p.72) Lennie is expressed weakest because of his physiological disability and his lack of deliberating for himself. Lennie would either have to run away or be wiped out. Candy and the old dog emulates the form of George and Lennie. Candy is George and his dog is Lennie. When Candy’s dog dies, it foreshadows Lennie’s death because the dog represented
This relates to when Candy’s dog is killed, it is being hinted that Lennie will be killed too. It was foreshadowed that Lennie was going to die about half-way through the
In Of mice and men, John Steinbeck uses symbolism, foreshadowing, and a sympathetic tone to demonstrate the world of limited sources, poverty, human intolerance, limiting social roles, wealth, and freedom.
John Steinbeck shines a light on what he saw during the 1900s. He observed what he saw around him and applied it to the book. It emphasizes how, Crooks, being a colored man was treated differently because of his color. For example, Lennie asks, "Why ain't you wanted?" " 'Cause I'm black," "They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black," Basically, Steinbeck is informing the reader that black people were not allowed in some places.
Strength and weakness is present in Of Mice and Men, because most of the characters have strength but don’t shown it, until it needs to be shown, and weakness is shown in a lot of the characters, because they have no power due to their instability.
Power is usually measured through physical power and mental power. Several different kinds of power appear in the book, and Steinbeck shows clearly how each of them carries with it a heavy responsibility,Though not every character is able to measure up to this with success powers. By how the characters act and how they treat each other shows what powers they have.
Every person has had some sort of dream or aspiration which could determine the course of their lives. A person’s desires have a lot of power over their minds and actions, determining the paths they walk and the choices they make towards reaching their goals. The book, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, describes a group of farm workers who share, what could be called, the “American Dream.” He tells of a story about two friends who travel and work together, dreaming of a life on a farm of their own. They find work at a farm in California and meet new people, both good and bad.
In his novel Of Mice and Men, author John Steinbeck uses characters, Lennie, Curley’s wife, Crooks, and Candy to develop the theme that those who lack power tend to take power away from others.
In the second chapter, when Lennie and George first walk into the bunkhouse where all of the workers sleep, it says, “Behind him came George, and behind George, Lennie”(Steinbeck 18). This helps illustrate to the reader that Lennie follows George literally and metaphorically, and it demonstrates the relationship between the two characters and how it works. Later in the second chapter of the story when Candy is first introduced and walks into the bunkhouse it says,“at his heels there walked a drag footed sheepdog” (Steinbeck 24). Already there is a parallel between Lennie and Candy’s dog, and Candy’s dog symbolizes Lennie in more ways than one. They both walk behind the person that takes care of them, they have both been with George and Candy essentially their entire lives, the other characters describe and talk to them in similar ways and they were both shot in the back of the head.
Secondly, Lennie's death was euthanasia, not murder, because like the dog in the book, Lennie is unaware of his actions and consequences. In the book, Candy's dog symbolizes Lennie. If George had not been there for Lennie, Lennie would not have gotten far. The book does well at reminding the reader that Lennie has an incredibly bad memory, making it difficult for him and George to get along. Lennie's memory is discouraging, as he cannot remember what is bad and good.
The Algae In The Ocean “Power is neither good nor evil, but its user makes it so.” Erin. Power is a concept that has and will always exist, and at times is overshadowed by other concepts. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men demonstrates this concept very well. It is often discussed if it is The Great American Novel.
Human’s desire is to control and dominate others through the use of power. However, the shifts and the notions of power can change as new people gain control. Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men illustrates the transient nature of power through the characters desire to control and dominate others.
"...and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws."
The long, hard war of human equality in society, has been a war since the beginning of civilization. The Great Depression, a tragic time in America’s history, reflects American determination, but also social inequality. In the fiction novella, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses symbolism and characterization to address ableism and sexism in society. Steinbeck addresses these flaws in society in an attempt to ultimately bring awareness these riffs before society falls.
The novel Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck is set in America in the 1930’s and it describes the lives of migrant farmers as they go from farm to farm looking for jobs. It also shows the loneliness of the characters and the hard work that they put in. The main characters of the book are Lennie, a man-child, and George, a small man but very powerful character that takes care of Lennie in their journey. Also when they get to the farm they meet the bosses wife who is very lonely and looks for company in the workers. Steinbeck uses characterization to bring his characters to life using various techniques.