The Barn In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

E.M. Forster once said, “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” In the novel Of Mice And Men, some of the characters have this big dream of a life they want to have. The dream is very specific and soon enough gets crushed by inevitable circumstances. Although plans might not work out people can move on and live their lives to the fullest. The novel was set in farmland of the Salinas valley in California. The characters live on a small ranch where they all work for “the Boss”. The book took place during the great depression, everyone was struggling. The two main characters are Lennie and George, Lennie is a bulky, strong man who was very gentle and innocent on the inside. George is a short, quick witted man with a rough outward appearance, but a heart of gold. Lennie struggles with a mental disability that only George is aware of, they travel together and George is constantly taking care of Lennie and helping him to live as much of a normal life as he can. The use of the dream farm as a symbol helps the readers better understand the novel’s theme, which is, life doesn’t always go as planned but people can move on.

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.

George with forlorn shame shook his head and whispered … “ What the hell have ay done” looking down upon the dead corpse of his fellow good companion he’d known for years and who’s … Now dead from a gunshot wound right in the head.

Loyalty and friendship play key roles in the lives of those who acknowledge its worth. Living life with whom a person loves greatly increases happiness and trust between those in the relationship. But this unity may come at a cost; true friendship requires sacrifice. Friendship and loyalty in the novella, Of Mice and Men, by expression through John Steinbeck’s interpretation, brings greater understanding to their importance of each.

Traveling around California are two best friends, George Milton and Lennie Smalls. Their relationship demonstrates the various characteristics that are shown in a community. In the novella “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck, there are numerous examples that establish what it means to be part of a community; which proves it exemplifies the important traits shown in a community the best out of other books read. Throughout the novella, there are countless examples that demonstrate what it means to be part of a community; this includes friendships, the American dream, and teamwork.

John Steinbeck wrote ‘Of Mice and Men’ to show how hard life was for migrant ranch workers during the time of the Great Depression and how they were often exploited by their employers. In showing how George and Lennie’s dream of owning their own piece of land did not come true, Steinbeck explores a wider theme, criticising the idea of the American Dream. The American Dream tells people that there is ‘opportunity for each... regardless of the fortuitous circumstance of birth and position. Steinbeck criticises this as these ranch workers were given few opportunities. Settings play a very important part in the novel as they pinpoint clear times and places giving a sense of realism to the story, but they are also used to create atmosphere.

In the first section of this gothic short story, Jacobs starts off by describing the setting. He describes the night as "cold and wet" but, he shows the reader that the house is warm and cozy even with the cold rainy weather. He depicts this by telling us “the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly"(Jacobs 1). He contrasts the inside of the home heavily with the outside of the home. Outside it is a dark, stormy night, and the inside it is cheery and warm with chess, knitting, and a warm fire. The author shows us in the beginning that the family is happy and has everything they could need.

Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men in early 1930s and it was published in 1937. During 1930s, America was still suffering from the lack of steady jobs, which made peoples have to travel from town to town to able to seek short term employment. Of Mice and Men based on Steinbeck’s own experience, it is a short book which all the events are happened over the weekend. The title of the novel is taken from Robert Burns’ poem written in November 1785 which has a line: ‘The best laid plans of mice and men aft gang agley’. Aft gang agley means ‘often go wrong’.

The bunkhouse affects the characters by showing how each person interacts with one another in a social setting. It shows that even with that small of a group there are still outcasts such as Lennie and Candy. Everyone looks on Lennie as big and dumb and Candy as old and useless. "Lennie crept to his bunk and sat down, trying not to attract attention." page. 53. This shows how Lennie will never fit in which predicts the ending of the book a bit more. The river at the beginning of the book shows how fast and easy life can be taken away. The first time George and Lennie visit the river it is calm and still. "For a moment the place was lifeless. " page. 2. But the second time they visit the river at the end of the book it is windy and unsteady.

Crooks, the stable barn, who lives in a small shed that leads off from the barn is exposed to loneliness as he keeps to himself in his small and deserted room. ‘Scattered about the floor were a number of personal possessions; for being alone, crooks could leave his things about.’ (Page 66). When first describing Crooks, the author puts and underlying message in our head of loneliness as to show us

A thoughtful reader can learn numerous things about Crook from the first two paragraphs of chapter four. Crooks room has “books, too: a tattered dictionary and a maued copy of the California civil code for 1905.” This tells the reader that Crooks can read, which is something not everyone could do in the 1930s, when the book takes place. Furthermore, it was very difficult for a black person to learn how to read during that time. This information tells the reader that Crooks is a hardworking man and has put forth effort to learn a skill that he wouldn’t have otherwise learned. The books that he chooses to keep also tell readers about Crooks. He has a copy of the California civil code, which has laws that deal with human rights and individual

In all of his works, John Steinbeck focuses on the hardships of economically and socially challenged communities. He wrote around the Great Depression era of the 1930s, which would influence the situations of all of the characters he creates. He uses settings which are close in proximity to where he was born, the town of Salinas, California. Of Mice and Men, one of Steinbeck’s most well-known works, is set in Soledad, a small town in a valley adjacent to the Salinas River. Another one of his works, Cannery Row, takes place on Monterey Bay just west of the town of Salinas. Steinbeck’s portrayal of the struggles of the characters he creates are so realistic because of his true experiences. For example, Doc in Cannery Row is based on his lifelong friend Ed Ricketts, and the ranch he describes in Of Mice and Men is based off of one owned by Speckrels Sugar where he worked when he was younger. Steinbeck uses setting to critique society during the Great Depression. Though one novel is set in a coastal community and the other rural, their outcomes are extremely similar. The characters in each novel find it difficult to gain a job and keep one while living in poor conditions. No character turns out successful and instead fail to fulfill any dream they may have, such as Lennie’s dream of owning a farm with George and being able to own and care for rabbits. The West was seen by lower class farmers as opportunity and a new beginning throughout the late nineteenth and twentieth

“Wha’s the matter with me?’ she cried. ‘Ain’t I got a right to talk to nobody? Whatta they think I am, anyways?” (Steinbeck 87) In the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, Curley’s wife is discriminated against because she is a woman living in the 1930s when few females could live economically independent of men. By choosing not to name her, Steinbeck reinforces her insignificance on the ranch and her dependence on Curley. While a misfortunate victim of isolation, Curley’s wife exerts unexpected power attempting to mask her pain.

In the book “Of Mice and Men” John Steinbeck describes a world where the American Dream was all about helping others and keeping others safe. Steinbeck paints a very visual picture of looking out for your family in America in 1930. In the book “Of Mice and Men” Steinbeck reveals a very crucial ending. In the book Steinbeck tells us about Crooks. Crooks is so named because of a crooked back caused by a kick from a horse. Crooks is the stable hand who takes care of the horses and lives by himself because he is the only black man on the ranch. But Crook has been so beaten down by loneliness and prejudicial treatment of that he is now suspicious of any kindness he receives.

Roald Dahl uses various writing techniques in the horror short story, “The Landlady,” to build suspense, or the uncertainty or anxiety that a reader will feel about what may happen next in a story, novel, or drama. In this short story, the protagonist, Billy Weaver, a young, handsome seventeen-year-old, traveled from London to Bath, due to work, and looks for accommodation. Eventually, he came across a quaint bed and breakfast owned by a landlady who appeared to be generous. The landlady portrayed herself as a kind, innocent soul, but her intentions spoke otherwise. As the tale continued, Billy realizes that things are not what they initially appeared to be at the bed and breakfast. Through the use of foreshadowing and characterization, the author, Roald Dahl, of the horror short story, “The Landlady,” effectively builds suspense for the reader in the thread of the plot.