Literature Analysis #3

Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck


1)The story is about two men, George and Lennie, who are tenders of the Earth looking for work to support their livelihoods, as well as their aspirations. In the future, they dream to have their own farm, to which they can tend to and live off of, free from others influences. Both of the men differ greatly, but are bound together with their ideas of the future. Lennie is a mentally deficient man, but makes up for it with his physical strength. George, on the other hand, is a mentally strong person, he takes charge and helps the both talk themselves out of any situations they find themselves in. Due to Lennies brute force and lacking of mental stability, he usually breaks things, like people. He was left at on time with the farmers daughter, a flirty young harlot, and Lennie did the only thing his mentally insecure self could do. He killed her, accidentally of course. He then flees, and George finds him and shoots him before the people chasing him could. 


2)I think that the theme of Of Mice and Men is happiness and how it's sometimes feasible, yet unattainable. For example, Lennie and George's dreams were finally close, they had a secure source of income and they both at least semi-enjoyed their positions. Then, something tragic like Lennie killing somebody unfortunately occurs and curtails their aspirations. 


3)The tone of the story is both sad, and depressing. It leads the reader to be taken into a world of broken dreams and false hopes. 

• "Carl's right, Candy. That dog ain't no good to himself. I wisht somebody'd shoot me if I got old an' a cripple."
• "Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land."
• "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world.They got no family. They don't belong no place..."

4) Syntax plays a huge role in the understanding of the story. The way things are said by both Lennie and George play huge roles in character development. For example, Lennie speaks with a childish understanding of the world, which makes the reader sympathetic towards his actions. 

Diction also is very important, they word choice and who (character wise) they are attributed to are very important. 

Characterization (direct and otherwise) are also very important. The proper characterization allows the reader to be on a personal level with the characters. For example, the reader learns to love Lennie for his child-like persona.

Foreshadowing allows the reader to be active with the reading of the story. It helps out to read something and be attent to a certain story when it continually keeps you thinking about the future, in the story, that is.