OF MICE AND MEN
Of Mice and Men First Draft
By Hamza Yasin
The novella “Of Mice and Men” was based around the time of Black Tuesday. Black Tuesday left Americans feeling vulnerable and powerless, so therefore any form of power was needed and respected. At the time, most places were male dominated such as the ranch were George and Lennie worked, so therefore men were the ones who had more power over women. Nature is presented as being more powerful than humans because it ongoing, cyclical and leaves traces, where as human life is transient and doesn’t leave a trace. In the novella, there are different types of power such as financial, mental and physical power. Throughout the novella, Steinbeck conveys the themes of human nature, friendship and the unachievable American dream.
As he introduces the two characters, George and Lennie, Steinbeck instantly notes the difference in both the appearance and attitude of the characters. Within the novel, even when the characters reach an opening that allows the pair to walk together, Steinbeck portrays one to stay ahead of the other. This is George, who is the obvious leader. George “was small and quick, dark of face with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined”. Steinbeck presenting him in this way hints that George is intelligent with a strong personality. However, him having “restless eyes”, could suggest not only that he is aware of possibly danger around him, but unhappiness. Also, “strong” suggests that George is a character who may not have physical strength, but, mental strength which he may have used to get him and Lennie out of trouble in Weed. George described in this way shows that George is more dominant through his description. In comparison, Lennie, the follower, was a “huge man, shapeless of face, with large pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws”. Lennie’s “shapeless face” suggests that he has no meaning
By Hamza Yasin
The novella “Of Mice and Men” was based around the time of Black Tuesday. Black Tuesday left Americans feeling vulnerable and powerless, so therefore any form of power was needed and respected. At the time, most places were male dominated such as the ranch were George and Lennie worked, so therefore men were the ones who had more power over women. Nature is presented as being more powerful than humans because it ongoing, cyclical and leaves traces, where as human life is transient and doesn’t leave a trace. In the novella, there are different types of power such as financial, mental and physical power. Throughout the novella, Steinbeck conveys the themes of human nature, friendship and the unachievable American dream.
As he introduces the two characters, George and Lennie, Steinbeck instantly notes the difference in both the appearance and attitude of the characters. Within the novel, even when the characters reach an opening that allows the pair to walk together, Steinbeck portrays one to stay ahead of the other. This is George, who is the obvious leader. George “was small and quick, dark of face with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined”. Steinbeck presenting him in this way hints that George is intelligent with a strong personality. However, him having “restless eyes”, could suggest not only that he is aware of possibly danger around him, but unhappiness. Also, “strong” suggests that George is a character who may not have physical strength, but, mental strength which he may have used to get him and Lennie out of trouble in Weed. George described in this way shows that George is more dominant through his description. In comparison, Lennie, the follower, was a “huge man, shapeless of face, with large pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws”. Lennie’s “shapeless face” suggests that he has no meaning