How Does Steinbeck Present Loneliness In Of Mice And Men
Verbal / Visual Essay Jordy Thiessen
Block C
Oct. 3, 2010
Because every person has a different perspective, there should be an equal amount of people willing to see the world from each others eyes. In Steinback's Of Mice and Men, there a five very different but equally significant views of the lives of the characters. These themes include: the loneliness each one feels or doesn't feel, the oppression by Curley's wife, the social responsibility of George having to take care of his friend, the hopes of the two main characters, as well as the innocence of the gentle giant everyone calls Lennie.
The quote chosen to depict loneliness in the novella is intended to show that as long as somebody is there with you, everything will be okay. Some may say that they can deal with being alone, but that would be defying human nature. Everybody, no matter how old, big or small, or no matter the colour of their skin, is always in need of reassurance from another human being. The fact that George having Lennie and vice versa shows that even though they constantly are disagreeing or getting on each others nerves, they have one another to rely on. …show more content…
The oppression demonstrated is quite shocking but at the same time, not so much.
Although it was customary but not necessary to discriminate against the African-American people back in the 1920's, Curley's wife takes it to a whole other extreme. Her attitude and negligence of Crooks' ego and feelings is so uncalled for, she literally kills his self-esteem with her words. Although Crooks is getting directly abused, there are residual effects on everyone who is a part of this social
oppression.
Throughout the novella, George is being seen as the chosen caretaker of Lennie Smalls. For whatever reason he is looking after him, he is now responsible for the goodness and well-being of him, no matter what. Even though Lennie can become quite a handful sometimes, as Curley found out, George perseveres with all his will to make sure Lennie makes it through each day.
The talk of dreams is a constant throughout the entire book. George and Lennie living in their own little world, with the farm and rabbits, is sometimes a good way to escape from reality for a brief moment to reminisce in what could be. The use of little colour for the rabbits and farm is to demonstrate the chance of the dream coming to life in the end.
The innocence of some of the characters throughout the novella, or apparent innocence, is quite obvious. With Lennie having the brain capacity of a four-year-old and not being able to think for himself, and Curley's wife being the 'somewhat' innocent character who is just lonely and wants someone to talk to, it is truly shown that the innocence that resides in the soul does not always appear to be so by others. Meaning that people do not always interpret the actions of some to be as they are intended.
In brief, the world needs to realize that everybody has a different view on life, and everyone needs to respect the views people choose. Loneliness, oppression, social responsibility, hope, and innocence are the five main themes of Steinback's Of Mice and Men. The use and repetition of these themes is what makes the novella such a popular read, a classic.
“We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone.”
-Orson Welles, actor, director, producer, writer. ('15-'85)
Block C
Oct. 3, 2010
Because every person has a different perspective, there should be an equal amount of people willing to see the world from each others eyes. In Steinback's Of Mice and Men, there a five very different but equally significant views of the lives of the characters. These themes include: the loneliness each one feels or doesn't feel, the oppression by Curley's wife, the social responsibility of George having to take care of his friend, the hopes of the two main characters, as well as the innocence of the gentle giant everyone calls Lennie.
The quote chosen to depict loneliness in the novella is intended to show that as long as somebody is there with you, everything will be okay. Some may say that they can deal with being alone, but that would be defying human nature. Everybody, no matter how old, big or small, or no matter the colour of their skin, is always in need of reassurance from another human being. The fact that George having Lennie and vice versa shows that even though they constantly are disagreeing or getting on each others nerves, they have one another to rely on. …show more content…
The oppression demonstrated is quite shocking but at the same time, not so much.
Although it was customary but not necessary to discriminate against the African-American people back in the 1920's, Curley's wife takes it to a whole other extreme. Her attitude and negligence of Crooks' ego and feelings is so uncalled for, she literally kills his self-esteem with her words. Although Crooks is getting directly abused, there are residual effects on everyone who is a part of this social
oppression.
Throughout the novella, George is being seen as the chosen caretaker of Lennie Smalls. For whatever reason he is looking after him, he is now responsible for the goodness and well-being of him, no matter what. Even though Lennie can become quite a handful sometimes, as Curley found out, George perseveres with all his will to make sure Lennie makes it through each day.
The talk of dreams is a constant throughout the entire book. George and Lennie living in their own little world, with the farm and rabbits, is sometimes a good way to escape from reality for a brief moment to reminisce in what could be. The use of little colour for the rabbits and farm is to demonstrate the chance of the dream coming to life in the end.
The innocence of some of the characters throughout the novella, or apparent innocence, is quite obvious. With Lennie having the brain capacity of a four-year-old and not being able to think for himself, and Curley's wife being the 'somewhat' innocent character who is just lonely and wants someone to talk to, it is truly shown that the innocence that resides in the soul does not always appear to be so by others. Meaning that people do not always interpret the actions of some to be as they are intended.
In brief, the world needs to realize that everybody has a different view on life, and everyone needs to respect the views people choose. Loneliness, oppression, social responsibility, hope, and innocence are the five main themes of Steinback's Of Mice and Men. The use and repetition of these themes is what makes the novella such a popular read, a classic.
“We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone.”
-Orson Welles, actor, director, producer, writer. ('15-'85)