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How Does Steinbeck Present The Bunkhouse And Its Inhabitants in Of Mice and Men?

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Firstly, Steinbeck presents the inhabitants of the bunkhouse to be trapped. The bunkhouse is described as “a long rectangular building” It is seen as a jail-like place where the occupants of the ranch are trapped in; this symbolises that all hope is near to gone. It is also as if the migrant workers are trapped from their dreams and they have no place to go. The small square windows” shows how their lives are simple and that they have no escape and no freedom. It is also as if cutting off the light cuts off the hope. Steinbeck uses metaphors to emphasise this further. The use of the word’ solid’ to describe the door can also be used to show how it is very thick and a barrier to their dreams. The connotations of the word ‘house’ suggest the place to be homely but this is then juxtaposed further by Steinbeck mentioning the word ‘building’. Buildings are seen to have no identity which mirrors their lives. It is also as if there is no other option for them and that they have no were else to go as the novella is based during the great depression. Even the ‘latch’ is seen to be there as way to stop them getting out with no escape.

Steinbeck presents the inhabitants of the bunkhouse to be uncared for. “The walls were whitewashed and the floors unpainted.” Is a way in which the room is described. This may suggests how it was simple just like their lives. It can also be seen as a metaphorical way for how their lives are simple and they have no identity. The lack of identity can be
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