Anger In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

His forehead glistened with beads of sweat and his face was as red as a cherry. He couldn't take it anymore he was going to EXPLODE. Red is a representative of anger because when I was a kid and watched a cartoon, a character face that got angry would turn red, in addition they often would use a thermometer to show the temperature rising of their level of anger. Also, with me, I feel myself getting hot from the inside out, when I'm angry and if you were able to have seen a change in color on my skin, I feel like it would be red. In Of Mice and Men, George, Lennie, and Curley had showed many examples of anger throughout. You may not realize it, but our emotions and everyday things in our life symbolize different colors. In Steinbeck's story,
red represents anger and this anger leads to more negative emotions, according to George, Curley and Lennie.
Initially, the first sign of anger was when George was getting angry at Lennie for forgetting about what George had just told him.
George had just told Lennie they were going to the ranch to get a job but then right after, he asked, where are we going again. For example, in the story, Lennie questioned, “ Where we going’, George?” and George forced down his hat and scowled Lennie, So you forgot that awready, did you? I gotta tell you again, do I? Jesus Christ, you're a crazy bastard!” (Steinbeck 4). After that, Lennie showed examples of anger towards George. Although , Steinbeck may not have specifically said Lennie was angry, from my understanding, Lennie was angry at George for taking his mouse from him. In fact, I believe this because Lennie loved touching soft things and George took that one thing he loved right away from him. For example, in the story, He heard Lennie crying and turned around. “Blubberin’ like a baby! Jesus Christ! A big guy like you.” (Steinbeck 9). As a result of him taking away his mouse, Lennie threatened George, “ Do you want me to go away and leave you alone?” (Steinbeck 10). Consequently, George was surprised toward this anger. Additionally, Curley was portraying anger towards Lennie and George. Curley entered the bunk house. He glanced at Lennie and George coldly. He questioned both Lennie and George but Curley only expected an answer from Lennie (the big guy). Specifically, in the story, George said, “S'pose he don't want to
talk?”.
Curly exclaimed, “By Christ, he's gotta talk when he's spoke to. What the hell are you gettin’ into it for?” (Steinbeck 25).
All this angry lead to more negative emotions, which shaped the plot.
Unfortunately, the other negative emotions began, starting with frustration.
George became frustrated because the of the type of guy Curley was. For the most part, George wanted to do is make his money and work without getting fired. It was already hard enough to keep a job, having Lennie around. Lennie or George didn't want any trouble. But, between Curley and Lennie, Curley hates big guys. So, therefore, there was bound to be trouble. (Steinbeck 26). Following that, Curley was aggressive because he kept slugging and socking Lennie in the face.Curley thought Lennie was laughing at him, but really he was still smiling with pleasure at the thought of the ranch. (Steinbeck 62). Consequently, Curley slashed at Lennie with his left, and than smashed down his nose with a right. Hence Curley being aggressive, Lennie’s aggressiveness kicked in. No matter how much Lennie didn't want to hurt Curley. Lennie wasn't going to just sit there and get beat because eventually it's going to hurt. Finally, Lennie had grabbed Curley's fist, crushed his fist with his gigantic hands. The Anger resulted into frustration and aggressiveness. (Steinbeck
63).
So, all the anger, frustration, and aggressiveness are all symbols of red. If Lennie wasn't so aggressive with soft things he wouldn't have probably killed Curley's wife. For instance, Lennie stroked harder. Lennie's fingers tightened on her hair and hung. She struggled violently under his arms. (Steinbeck 91).
Overall, Curley's anger caused George to be aggressive and kill Lennie with a gun. Specifically, in the story, Curley face reddened. “I'm gonna shoot the guts outta that big bastard myself, even if I only got one hand.” (Steinbeck 98). So, if Curley wouldn't have decided to go about this angrily, George wouldn't of had to kill him. All and all, if it wasn't for all of George, Lennie, and Curley's emotion it wouldn't have been any plot to lead into the death of Curley's wife and Lennie.