Of Mice and Men is a film which was produced in 1992 but set in 1937 during the Great Depression in the United States. Spies (by Michael Frayn) was published in 2002 and mainly set during World War II. George Milton and Lennie Small from Of Mice and Men are migrant workers who travel around California looking for work. These characters are unusual because the majority of migrant workers at this time were loners whereas these characters are best friends. They are also so different from each other which also makes them unusual. Stephen Wheatley and Keith Hayward from Spies also maintained a friendship, different to George and Lennie’s. Stephen feels as if Keith had total superiority but turned a blind eye to it. Stephen and Keith were adolescent boys who spied on Keith’s mother. Both texts explore the theme of relationship and power, but in different ways. Of Mice and Men explores the theme of relationship through different characters, but mainly through George and Lennie. Their friendship was unique as during the Great Depression, it was rare to see ranch workers stick together and form friendships the way George and Lennie had. Lennie was portrayed as a grown man with a childish mind, which was why he was so dependent on George. This was a positive relationship in this text even though George demanded Lennie around, it was for his own good. The different camera techniques in this text help capture the essence of their relationship which include over the shoulder shots and
How does the author, John Steinbeck, suggest the death of companionship and inevitability of loneliness, in the novella Of mice and Men?
The story Mice and Men is about two men named George and Lennie. They go through rough times together and always keep each other out of trouble, but make trouble together at the same time. They find work at a ranch where they meet new characters and situations.
In chapter one of “Of Mice and Men”, we are introduced to the characters Lennie and George. The book starts with describing a serene scene of a valley with a river running through it. The book then focuses on the two characters that emerge out of the forest. One with sharp features and strong stance and the other looking as though he is still in his pubescent years. As the chapter progresses, the author, John Steinbeck, allows readers to catch a glimpse of the characters’ relationship with each other and see the inner workings of their symbiotic partnership.
In the story, Of Mice and Men, friendship plays a major role in the way the story is told. George and Lennie is just a little part of the story. The reason George and Lennie are the main reason for this is because, George and Lennie take care of each other like no one else does. George and Lennie’s friendship is there because Lennie can’t take care of himself so George wanted to help Lennie do better in life. Another reason is that all the characters in “Of Mice and Men” is that they never had another person on their side through their life.
Of Mice and Men is a short novel that portrays the American struggle during the Great Depression, through the eyes of migrant workers. There are two men who travel around together, George Milton and Lennie Small. Lennie is a mentally disabled man who George takes care of. George and Lennie meet many different kinds of people at the ranch they work at, and have high aspirations of soon moving into a house of their own.
Do you ever fight with your longtime best friend over something huge, and end up losing them in the aftermath? George and Lennie have been traveling with each other for a long time, but as they are on the verge of their dream Lennie goes and messes it up, which causes George to have to do something he never wanted to do. In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, it has a common theme of friendship. Friendship is what carries people throughout their lives, and without it life could be very hard. George’s friendship was the only reason why Lennie had survived all this time as seen through the conflict .
Mice and Men is a fantastic novel that shows how hard it was in the times of the Great Depression. The difference between Lennie and George compared to the migrant workers is that they had each other. In the novel, it shows how George takes care of Lennie who has a mental disability. Most of the migrant workers wanted to achieve the success of the American Dream that was different for every American. Lennie and George too wanted to the euphoria of achieving their American Dream. Lennie and George’s dream was to own a ranch and live off the fatta of the land and for Lennie to tend the rabbits.
Of Mice and Men is a beautiful story of two men, George and Lennie, Lennie being mentally handicapped. The two men embark on a journey to capture their dream: being their own bosses, owning a farm, and living off the land. They encounter hardships along their journey but seem to get through them alright. The two men begin working on a ranch, They meet some friends on the farm such as Candy, a one handed handyman. They also meet Curley, the boss’s mean son.
The world is a deadly, unforgiving, often cosmically ironic place and people become all consumed by it. They lose sight of their goals. They lose sight of their dreams. Mentally, people struggle to maintain sanity in their game of life that has no set rules. Of Mice and Men happens to portray the inequality between dreams of people and what can actually be attained. The setting in Of Mice and Men is a perfect example of how unequal the ideals and the realities are. The lush fields of California that seem bountiful, beautiful, and full of plenty severely contrast the economic situation of the time period in Of Mice and Men. Migrant workers work in an
“Of Mice and Men” is a novella written by John Steinbeck, and it was first published in 1937. The protagonists are George and Lennie. They are ranch hands trying to save a sufficient amount of money to purchase their dream farm. George is short tempered, but he is devoted and caring for Lennie and incredibly dedicated to their friendship. Lennie is large, clumsy and extremely dependent on George; showing characteristics similar to a child. However, Lennie is extremely strong. Throughout the story, George helps Lennie get out of trouble; hence, increasing Lennie’s debt to George. Eventually, Lennie had to pay the debt he owed George; thus, establishing the depressing ending. Therefore, Steinbeck utilizes foreshadowing successfully throughout the story to ultimately create a tragic outcome.
Of Mice and Men is the the story of two men and their friendship in a time where no one had anybody. George has stuck by Lennie throughout everything they have been though and no matter how much he wants to leave he does not. George loves him like they were of the same flesh and blood. However, nearing the end of the novella, George comes to the realization that he and Lennie will never be able to live a normal life and their dreams of owning a farm will not come true. After Lennie killed Curley’s wife, George also understands that Lennie’s death is inevitable.
In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, George and Lennie have a codependent relationship. While on the way to their new job, George and Lennie stop to rest at a spot in the brush. While George and Lennie were sitting around the fire, George was once again telling Lennie the story about how they “got somebody who gives a damn about” them, to which Lennie continues, “I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you” (14). Lennie is really not going to protect George, or get him out of trouble like he does for him, but men get lonely after traveling all the time. George needs Lennie because he needs someone with him instead of being alone.
John Steinbeck’s book Of Mice and Men is an extraordinary novel with unique characteristics. The novel is about an uncommon friendship between two extremely different individuals who are living and working together. This story belong to the genres tragic realistic fiction, historical fiction and drama. The linking between the novel and The Great Depression emphasizes throughout the story, which makes the novel very realistic and down to earth. The author touches on several themes such as: the unreachable American dream, the economic injustices, loneliness, friendship and people’s propensity for cruelty. In this book review, we will get into a deeper understanding of what the actual story means.
In the novella Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck, the relationship between Lennie Small and George Milton is complex. Lennie and George are two companions who look for work and brave the hardships of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression together. Although Lennie and George are both grown men, their relationship resembles more of a child and a single parent, or a boy and his dog. Lennie is portrayed as animalistic and childish through his behavior and Steinbeck’s comparisons. This reveals the crucial power dynamic in George and Lennie’s relationship.
In John Steinbeck’s story Of Mice and Men, and in the film Places in the Heart written and directed by Robert Benton, many of the characters experience unexpected friendships during hard times. The authors bring forth sexism, racism, and the feeling of belonging, showing that everyone deserves a friend. (49)