Literary Terms

1. Foreshadowing
The author foreshadowed the trouble Lennie would have and his death several times throughout the novel. At the start of the story, Steinback immediately introduced Lennie as a character that unintentionally caused problems for himself and George wherever they went. The incident with the woman in the red dress and being run out of Weed foreshadowed a similar situation would happen. However, this time it would involve Curley’s wife and running away from the Soledad ranch. George showing Lennie where to hide in the brush if something bad happened also foretold that an unpleasant fate for the man was imminent. Another example of foreshadowing was the death of Lennie’s puppy. The puppy symbolized the weak and vulnerable, and indirectly Lennie. When Lennie accidentally killed the animal, the reader could infer that he would be in the same situation and ultimately he would die, too. Finally, Candy’s dog and his feelings of guilt for not shooting the animal himself foreshadowed the final scene between George and Lennie. George shot Lennie because he knew it was his responsibility and he wanted to spare his friend the terrible outcome he would face with Curley’s men. He knew how much Candy regretted not doing it himself, and based his final decision on that.

2. Use of irony
Verbal Irony – occurs when an author or characters says one thing but mean something else
Eg. p. 12 George tells Lennie how much better his life would be without him or if he moved away. He doesn’t really mean it because he loves Lennie and enjoys his company.
p. 78 Lennie says Curley got his hand caught in a machine. That didn’t happen and everyone knows but he says it anyway.
Situational Irony – an inconsistency between what the audience or reader expects, and what actually happens.
Eg. p. 107 George shoots Lennie. As a reader, I didn’t expect George to be the one to kill Lennie.
p. 91 Lennie kills Curley’wife. What started off as a friendly conversation turned into an unintentional murder.
Dramatic Irony – occurs when an audience or reader knows something that a character does not know
Eg. p. 107 In his last moments, the reader knows Lennie is about to be shot by George even though he doesn’t.
p. 94 The reader knows Lennie has killed Curley’s wife and run away to hide in the brush, but George doesn’t know. He is outside playing horseshoes with the other men and has no idea about the gravity of the situation.

3. Alliteration - repeated occurrence of the same consonant sound at the beginning of several words in the same phrase
p. 70 “I never knew but I know now.”
p. 104 “…breeze blew…”

4. Symbolism
See blog post “What is symbolism?” below.

5. Animal Imagery
See blog post “Animal Imagery” below.

6. Tone effect
In the final scene on p. 106, the change in George’s usual rough voice greatly affects the mood. His softness and the quiver in his voice contrasts to Lennie’s giggles and happiness. It creates a sad, depressing atmosphere as the reader realizes the tragedy that is about to befall the two friends.

7. Perspective
This novel is written from the third person omniscient point of view. This means that it is written from the perspective of a narrator retelling the action that is happening, rather than from one of the character’s points of view. The reader does not get the opportunity to read what the characters are thinking and feeling, and has to make inferences and guesses based on their actions. I think the best perspective for the story would have been from George’s point of view. Although it might have made the novel somewhat less interesting and made the reader not have to think as critically to decipher the meaning of the character’s actions, it would have proven to be more insightful. It would have provided a background to George’s and Lennie’s histories and several important thoughts on the action.

8. Setting
The setting of this novel is in the early 1900’s in California, specifically the Salinas Valley. The importance of this setting is that it is during the Great Depression. It was a period of time where many people struggled to survive, to get jobs, and to make a living. It highlights the difficulties that George and Lennie went through. Keeping a job at that time was very hard, and Lennie’s disability made it even harder. Their dream to own their own piece of land with the state the country and economy was in emphasized its impossibility.

9. Diction
The author’s choice of vocabulary and the style of expression he used helped establish characterization and the overall authenticity of the novel. Steinback made the characters speak in a kind of southern/ranch slang typical to the setting, purposely writing with grammatical incorrectness and shortening words. For example, on p. 12 instead of George saying “You don’t have enough sense to find something to eat,” he says “You ain’t got sense enough to find nothing to eat.” This made the characters more believable because no one at that time was educated to a level where they spoke in full sentences consistently. It also really allowed the reader to picture the way the characters looked and worked on the ranch. The diction Steinbacl uses is particularly important to Lennie’s character because it emphasizes his retardation. For example, on p. 9 he says, “It ain’t nobody’s mouse. I remember a lady used to give ‘em to me – ever’ one she got. But that lady ain’t here.” The way he speaks and forms his sentences shows immediately that he is mentally challenged.

10. Theme
The novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ demonstrates several themes, including the concept of ‘Decisions, actions and consequences.’ It is shown specifically through the action that Lennie undergoes. Due to his mental condition, he does not always realize the seriousness or wrong-doing of his behavior. He is not able to think situations through clearly, often resulting in poor decisions that lead to trouble. For example, his decision to stroke Curley’s wife’s hair turned out disastrously because without realizing his strength, he unintentionally killed her. This ultimately led to a terrible consequence of death. Because of the magnitude of his decision and the effect it has on Curley and his men, his actions led to his shooting. The story shows that with all actions come consequences through Lennie’s ordeal, and how this idea can be applied to real-life.

Animal Imagery

p. 3 "...drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse."
This quotation shows how big and powerful Lennie is, comparing him to a horse. It introduces the reader to his strength. The way the author describes the way he drinks by flinging himself to the water's edge also shows that he is not mannered. He drinks noisily, and this contrasts to the gentle way George took sips. Reading this instantly created an image of a robust, lumbering man.
p. 2 "The rabbits hurried noiselessly for cover."
The rabbits are symbolic of George and Lennie. They were on the run from a group of men looking to kill them and were forced to hide to avoid being caught. Rabbits do the same; they hurry for cover from potential predators and come out when it is safe.
p. 3 "Lennie dabbed his big paw in the water."
This compares Lennie's features and behavior to an animal's. His hands are of massive size and unmanageable, making his movements heavy and ungraceful. Through this quotation, the author is trying to describe Lennie as bear-like. Like those great animals, Lennie is of a large size and has far more strength than most people possess.
p. 5 "Uh-uh. Jus' a dead mouse, George. I didn't kill it."
Saying this, Lennie foreshadowed his incapability of controlling his own strength. He immediately assumes that George thinks he killed it and starts defending himself. He doesn't understand why they have to die; he feels they are too small.
p. 9 "Slowly, like a terrier who doesn't want to bring a ball to his master, Lennie approached..."
This quotation highlights that Lennie always listens and obeys George. He does whatever George tells him to do even if he doesn't want to. The author compares his loyalty to that of a dog's towards his master.
p. 11 "I wisht I could put you in a cage with about a million mice an' let you have fun."
George says this about Lennie. His statement about putting Lennie in a cage shows that Lennie can behave like an animal and needs to be treated like one sometimes. It also shows that Lennie is not very bright and does not require a lot. He is simple-minded and does not need much to be entertained.
p. 12 "Lennie crawled slowly..."
This description of Lennie's movement demonstrates his physical qualities. It shows he can be clumsy and hefty in the way he moves, just as large animals like bears can. He is not nimble and quick, and the use of the word 'crawls' can also mean that he is quite childish.
p. 2 "...the way a bear drags his paws."
This quotation is one of the very first descriptions that the author uses to introduce the reader to Lennie's character. Once again, it emphasizes his immense size and his resemblance to a bear. He describes his hands as paws, meaning they are large and ample.
p. 22 "Strong as a bull."
Even though Lennie is not much of a talker or thinker, George admires him for his matchless strength. When he introduces them to the ranch boss, he describes Lennie as a bull; incredible power and a hard-worker.
p. 63 "Lennie covered his face with huge paws and bleated with terror."
During his fight with Curley, Lennie did not defend himself at the beginning. Despite being much bigger and clearly stronger than his opponent, he simply cowered away and protected himself with his bear-like hands. 'Bleating with terror' compares him to a sheep or goat; innocent and defenseless.

What is symbolism?

Symbolism is a literary device used to represent something else by association or resemblance. It represents the deeper meaning of writing than just words themselves and is often a very powerful instrument. Symbols can be material or abstract objects, characters, figures, or colors. They stand for ideas and concepts.
Symbolism is not only used in literature. It can be seen in many different subjects and areas including mathematics. It is used in the form of numbers, operations and sets. For example, the symbol '=' shows equality. Symbols are also used in politics. Banners, acronyms, pictures and mottos can all symbolize a standpoint or opinion.

Symbolism in 'Of Mice and Men'

In 'Of Mice and Men,' George and Lennie's farm is one of many symbols in the book, standing for something deeper than just a piece of land. It symbolizes the American Dream and a future. George and Lennie strongly believe in the possibility of achieving this dream and discuss it several times throughout the course of the book. Everything they do and all the money they earn goes into the hope of one day being able to afford the farm. They yearn to be free of the oppression and hard labors that they face now, and to live in happiness on their own just as all people do. The farm in this book is what keeps two men going despite the hard period of time they live in and symbolizes a better future.

The novel contains several symbols that represent different ideas, among them being Lennie's puppy. The small animal stands for the weak and innocent, and their inferiority to those stronger than them. This is shown when Lennie, a huge, powerful man accidentally kills the tiny puppy. The defenseless animal was fragile and susceptible to the dangers around him, and this led to his death. The author shows that weaker people in this world will ultimately be overpowered by those stronger than them. It is an unfortunate truth of life that the author managed to convey through the simple killing of a puppy.

Candy's dog in the book is yet another symbol and represents something beyond an animal. The dog represents the useless and old, much like Lennie's puppy. All the men constantly complained about his smell and the terrible shape he was in, saying he was much better off being put down. Candy felt attached to him because he raised him from a pup and was his only companion. However, Candy allowed Carlson to shoot his dog and was offered a replacement of a new litter of young, healthy puppies. In other words, the weak are replaced by the strong. Candy's dog was not useful for anything anymore so he was disposed. The dog's killing was symbolic of the prevalence of the powerful in our world.

One of the underlying symbols of this book was the relationship between George and Lennie. The way they treated each other and the things they did and said were symbolic of a true and rare friendship. The two men knew each other from a very young age, creating an incomparable bond. They always kept each other's best interests in mind and protected one another, which no other men they knew did. Many were surpised to find out that they traveled together, but to George and Lennie, it made sense. They were beyond friends and were almost family. A friendship like that is more valuable that many material things in the world, and the men on the ranch failed to acknowledge that, just like many of us fail to appreciate our friends and family. George and Lennie are the ideal example of the true meaning of friendship.

At the beginning of the novel, the reader is introduced to one of the very first symbols in the story; the mouse that Lennie finds. The small mouse symbolizes death and subtly foreshadows Lennie's cruel end. Like the mouse, he is weak and vulnerable to those around him. He will suffer a fate just like the one it does. The author sends a very powerful message through the mouse, showing that even tiny mice and a large man like Lennie can have something in common.

Chapter 5 and 6 Summary Questions

1. What three things does Lennie do or say that show he is mentally retarded? List at least three specific acts or incidents.
During his conversation with Curley's wife, he doesn't react or respond to anything she says about herself. He doesn't follow the conversation and all he can think about is the rabbits. Another example is when he kills her. He does this unintentionally, trying to keep her quiet by covering her mouth and ending up breaking her neck. He doesn't know how to control himself, his anger or his strength. Finally, the degree of his retardation is shown in his relationship with George. He listens to whatever George tells him to do, no matter what and even at his moment of death. He just looks ahead across the lake because George tells him to and allows himself to be shot.
2. a. Is George's treatment of Lennie fair? Explain.
It is not fair because Lennie is not the way he is or does the things he does by choice. It is just the way he is and doesn't have control over it.
b. Is George's treatment of Lennie understandable? Explain.
It is understandable because it must get frustrating and hard to always worry about not only yourself, but also another human being. It is particularly hard because of Lennie's mental condition.
c. Could he have helped him more? How?
It was much harder to help mentally retarded people back then. They weren't given any special treatment and were expected to function and work like everyone else. I don't think there was much else George could do for him. Maybe telling and explaining to Lennie the situation might have worked, though.
3. How do these characters treat Lennie and why? Give one incident for each that shows his/her treatment of Lennie.
a. Candy - Candy feels compassion for Lennie and stands up for him. When Curley's wife starts interrogating Lennie, he tells her to leave him alone and not mess with him.
b. Curley's wife - She likes talking to him because he doesn't interrupt, hears her even if he isn't really listening, and she knows that he won't say anything about it to anyone else. In the barn, she tells him all about herself and how she could've become someone famous instead of living on the ranch.
c. Crooks - I think he accepts Lennie because he is someone he can relate to. Like Crooks, people see him differently. However, Crooks takes advantage of this in a way. For example, he taunts Lennie, almost scaring him by telling him that George is out spending all their money for the farm.
What do they all have in common? (Why do they all talk to him?)
They all talk to him because it is easy for them to. Lennie won't judge them.
4. Why does Lennie kill the puppy and later the girl?
Lennie kills the puppy by accident because he stroked it too hard. He gets angry, saying that it wasn't big enough to start with and shouldn't have died since it wasn't as small as the mice. He is also worried that George won't let him tend the rabbits anymore because of it. He also kills the girl unintentionally because she starts yelling when he strokes her hair. He covers her mouth and once again gets angry when she doesn't stop. He ends up breaking her neck.
5. Do you think Lennie had to be shot? What were some other alternatives? What would have happened to Lennie if George hadn't shot him?
Lennie did not have to be shot. They could have run away again some place else, like they did in Weeds. It would be pointless though and only temporary because Lennie would get in trouble again wherever they went next. If Curley or any of his men found him, then they would have probably shot him. I think the best and easiest solution was what George did: to shoot him.
6. How is the killing of Lennie similar to the killing of Candy's dog? Why do you think George killed Lennie himself instead of letting the men do it?
Lennie, like Candy's dog, had nothing good coming for him. It was what was best for him. He was weak. George killed Lennie because he felt like it was his duty and his responsibilty. It was he who shared a special friendship with Lennie, not anyone else. He knew how much Candy regretted not doing it himself and knew that it was the right thing to do.

Chapter 3 and 4 Summary Questions

1. Why doesn't Candy want to kill his dog?
Candy doesn't want to kill his dog because he feels so attached to him. His dog is his only companion and he's had him ever since he was a little puppy. He is also proud of him because he used to be the best sheep dog he'd ever seen.
Are Candy's feelings understandable? Have you ever felt very attached to an old or sick animal that had to be put to sleep? Explain.
Yes, I own a dog that I've had for ten years and got him when he was just a puppy. I would never want to kill or hurt him, no matter how old.
Why does Candy say later on that he should have shot his dog himself and not let a stranger do it?
Candy regrets not doing it himself. He feels he should have been the one because the dog was his companion and is ashamed of his decision. He should not have let just anyone, let alone a stranger, shoot his dog.It is a very delicate matter, but people often feel at rest when they see their loved ones at their last moments.
2. Why did Curley pick on Lennie?
Curley likes to pick on bigger people than him to prove that he is still tough despite his small size. Because of this, Curley is immediately drawn to Lennie and wants to cause him trouble. He sees Lennie as an easy target.
Describe Curley's main problem in your opinion.
His attitude and the way he thinks he is better and more important than everyone else. He is always picking on others and taking advantage of his ranking. He is also very suspicious of others when it comes to his wife.
Why didn't Lennie fight back at first when Curley hit him?
Lennie was afraid he would not be allowed to tend to the rabbits if he did. He only defended himself when George told him to.
What happened to Curley as a result of picking on Lennie?
Curley ended up with a broken hand and had to go to the doctor. However, he did not fire George or Lennie because he was afraid of people finding out and laughing at him.
3. How does Crooks react to Lennie's appearance at the door of his room?
At first, Crooks tells Lennie to go away and that he should not be allowed in his room if he was not allowed in theirs. Eventually, he lets him in. He is secretly glad to have company.
Crooks says people at the ranch don't like him because he is black. He is treated unfairly because of his skin color and is deprived of many privileges.
Crooks invites Lennie to stay and talk with him because he appreciates the company after being lonely for so long. None of the other men have come into his room before even though they have worked together for so many years. He is happy to finally socialize.

Chapter 1 and 2 Summary Questions

1. Identify the following people by telling something important about each one:
a. Lennie - huge, heavy man; mentally-challenged; forgetful; likes animals but usually ends up killing them; obedient; looks up to George; mind of a child; strong
b. George - small, slender; takes care of Lennie; impatient; frequently gets angry at Lennie; short-tempered; wary and watchful; protective; perceptive and smart
c. Curley - scrawny; son of ranch boss; likes to pick fights; dislikes George and Lennie; recently married; cocky and proud
d. Slim - tall and dark-haired; air of authority; respected and admired; understanding
e. Carlson - powerful and big-stomached; friendly; suggests Candy gets a new pup
f. Candy - old and slow man; companion with dog; careful; seasoned; respects others' business
g. Crooks - black stable-hand; separated and treated differently because of skin color
2. Why does Lennie like mice, puppies and rabbits?
Lennie likes holding and petting all kinds of small animals like mice, puppies and rabbits. He loves petting soft things and the idea of taking care of them, but because of his strength, often kills them. He especially looks forward to tending the rabbits on the piece of land George and him hope to own one day.
3. a. When did George meet Lennie?
George met Lennie when they were younger and promised his Aunt Clara he would look after him. They are not blood-related, however.
b. From his actions, how do you think George feels about Lennie?
I think that though George complains about Lennie, he cares about him and always looks out for and protects his friend. He is only harsh on Lennie to get his message and feelings across and to make sure Lennie does not get himself into trouble.
c. Why do you think George takes care of Lennie?
I think George takes care of him because he values their friendship and believes that together, they can fulfill their dream. He sees Lennie as a brother and best friend, and unlike other men, they have each other.
4. Describe the dream that George and Lennie share.
They share the dream that one day, they will earn enough money to buy a little house and a couple of acres of land. They will own cows, pigs, and most importantly rabbits, which Lennie will tend to. They will "live off of the fat of the land." In the winter, they will not work and instead will build a fire in the stove and listen to the rain.
5. What did Lennie do in Weed to get into trouble?
Lennie grabbed a woman's dress in Weed and would not let go of it. All he wanted to do was touch it because he thought it was soft. He did not realize what he was doing and the men assumed he was assaulting her. Lennie and George were forced to run out of town before Lennie got caught and most likely, severely punished or killed.

Summary

'Of Mice and Men' is a novel written by author John Steinback. The story is about two very different men, George and Lennie, who move around California looking for work and any money they can earn by laboring on ranches. Together, they share a dream of one day buying their own piece of land and living off of it. Their most recent job opportunity is at a ranch in the Salinas Valley. They travel there together after being forced to leave the town of Weeds. There, they meet new people and face new challenges as they try to achieve their dream. Among them is Curley, the proud son of the ranch boss who frequently picks fights; Slim, the well-respected jerkline skinner; Crooks, the black stable-hand; and Curley's wife, who proves to be more trouble than she appears.

Characters
Lennie -
Is large and heavy; has the mind of a child; likes animals and touching soft things; listens to George; is forgetful
















George -
Is small and slender; short-tempered; perceptive and smart; protective of Lennie; frequently gets mad at Lennie

Slim -
Is tall and dark-haired; has air of authority; respected and admired; a jerkline skinner; seems ageless
















Crooks -
black stable buck; has crooked back; separated and treated differently because of his skin color; proud; aloof