Of Mice And Men Death Analysis
The first theme being discussed in the analysis section of this essay is “Death- inevitable or tragedy”. Death comes in many unique forms especially in books, this book is a prime example of the theme of death.
The first death in the book seems innocent enough, Candy’s dog had been shot because he had been pressured into putting it down by another character, Carlson. Candy is deeply hurt by this and is regretful. He felt if he would have shot the dog himself, their would be less pain. Lenny’s death was going to be inevitable, it was coming if he was ready for it or not. Lenny was like a child, he didn't know what to say and when to say it. The sad part about death is nobody really deserves it, especially someone like him who is so innocent and weak; even though he is physically strong. Curley’s wife lead to the death of Lenny. Lenny accidentally strangled Curley’s wife to death, which meant Lenny would have to pay the price even if he meant to do it or not. That's why George decided it would be better to just kill Lenny himself and put him out of his misery, instead of sparing him for people who would hurt him when he is so …show more content…
mentally handicapped. John Steinbeck uses death to symbolize all the bad things about life in this book; hatred, jealousy, and selfishness. It's his perspective on life through death in the novel. It may sound like he contradicts himself but in essence it makes the most sense because bad things bundled up and combined equal death from his perspective.
The second theme discussed in the analysis section of this essay is “Powerlessness”. When you are powerlessness it doesn't just mean physically all the time, but also mentally. The main example of this is the main character, Lenny. Lenny is huge and powerful on the outside but is
mentally slow on the inside. Saying that, it's like he is weak because physically powerful doesn't always translate to power fullness overall. Lenny is powerless against people trying to take advantage of him and is wide open to to all dangers, regardless of him being strong on the outside physically. His mental handicap allows people to get what they want from him without any consequences because Lenny does not know any better. The other characters have their weak moments as well, which is symbolized in various ways. For example, when Candy’s dog is shot, he feels powerlessness because they insisted on shooting it, meanwhile he wasn't ready for that to happen. Candy was basically powered down by that and very turned off because death also comes into play with powerlessness. Steinbeck is showing us why it benefits to be a good person and “powerful” on the inside during your lifetime. Lenny lacks that attribute which makes him innocent and not aware of what is happening a lot of the time. Just because he has physical capabilities doesn't mean he can't get “beat up” emotionally. Powerlessness occurs throughout the novel very faintly at times, but it is easy to understand and make sense of.
The third theme discussed in the analysis section of this essay is “Friendship”.
Arguably one of the most important parts of life, not just in Of mice and men. Friendship in my opinion, is the most important theme of this book, because without it both the main characters would be lost. Lenny and George pose as cousins but are actually lifelong best friends since birth, it was always George’s job to take care of Lenny, which is one of the most important parts of friendship. Their strong friendship has helped them be able to take care of each other for such a long time, they have a strong and unbreakable bond. Lenny and George will always have each others backs when in a time of need. John Steinbeck expresses the amazing power of friendship and how during the time of the Great Depression, they stuck together when everything else was
falling
apart. Their friendship withstood it all. The hardest part of their friendship came at the end of the story, George had to kill Lenny out of his best interest. It helped both of them out. Lenny might have died and George might have killed him, but their bond still hasn't been broken and their friendship will never die.
The final theme discussed in the analysis section of this essay is “Loneliness”. Loneliness can be a good or bad thing, you're being secluded from everyone else when your lonely, but it opens up many new doorways and ideas for you in you're mind. George and Lenny are the only friends each of them have, it has been that wait since birth. They aren't really lonely because they have each other, but they are cut off from everyone else because of it. Curley’s wife happens to be the only woman on the ranch, which means she doesn't really have anyone to talk to because her sexuality isolates her and makes her lonely. Her own husband even ignores her which is another reason why she's lonely. Lenny is also alone, his mind isolates him from everything else due to him being mentally handicap. His mind doesn't fully understand things. John Steinbeck is saying that loneliness can make people evil due to them not being satisfied. He is saying people do things that cause other people to be pushed away because they themselves feel lonely inside.
The first death in the book seems innocent enough, Candy’s dog had been shot because he had been pressured into putting it down by another character, Carlson. Candy is deeply hurt by this and is regretful. He felt if he would have shot the dog himself, their would be less pain. Lenny’s death was going to be inevitable, it was coming if he was ready for it or not. Lenny was like a child, he didn't know what to say and when to say it. The sad part about death is nobody really deserves it, especially someone like him who is so innocent and weak; even though he is physically strong. Curley’s wife lead to the death of Lenny. Lenny accidentally strangled Curley’s wife to death, which meant Lenny would have to pay the price even if he meant to do it or not. That's why George decided it would be better to just kill Lenny himself and put him out of his misery, instead of sparing him for people who would hurt him when he is so …show more content…
mentally handicapped. John Steinbeck uses death to symbolize all the bad things about life in this book; hatred, jealousy, and selfishness. It's his perspective on life through death in the novel. It may sound like he contradicts himself but in essence it makes the most sense because bad things bundled up and combined equal death from his perspective.
The second theme discussed in the analysis section of this essay is “Powerlessness”. When you are powerlessness it doesn't just mean physically all the time, but also mentally. The main example of this is the main character, Lenny. Lenny is huge and powerful on the outside but is
mentally slow on the inside. Saying that, it's like he is weak because physically powerful doesn't always translate to power fullness overall. Lenny is powerless against people trying to take advantage of him and is wide open to to all dangers, regardless of him being strong on the outside physically. His mental handicap allows people to get what they want from him without any consequences because Lenny does not know any better. The other characters have their weak moments as well, which is symbolized in various ways. For example, when Candy’s dog is shot, he feels powerlessness because they insisted on shooting it, meanwhile he wasn't ready for that to happen. Candy was basically powered down by that and very turned off because death also comes into play with powerlessness. Steinbeck is showing us why it benefits to be a good person and “powerful” on the inside during your lifetime. Lenny lacks that attribute which makes him innocent and not aware of what is happening a lot of the time. Just because he has physical capabilities doesn't mean he can't get “beat up” emotionally. Powerlessness occurs throughout the novel very faintly at times, but it is easy to understand and make sense of.
The third theme discussed in the analysis section of this essay is “Friendship”.
Arguably one of the most important parts of life, not just in Of mice and men. Friendship in my opinion, is the most important theme of this book, because without it both the main characters would be lost. Lenny and George pose as cousins but are actually lifelong best friends since birth, it was always George’s job to take care of Lenny, which is one of the most important parts of friendship. Their strong friendship has helped them be able to take care of each other for such a long time, they have a strong and unbreakable bond. Lenny and George will always have each others backs when in a time of need. John Steinbeck expresses the amazing power of friendship and how during the time of the Great Depression, they stuck together when everything else was
falling
apart. Their friendship withstood it all. The hardest part of their friendship came at the end of the story, George had to kill Lenny out of his best interest. It helped both of them out. Lenny might have died and George might have killed him, but their bond still hasn't been broken and their friendship will never die.
The final theme discussed in the analysis section of this essay is “Loneliness”. Loneliness can be a good or bad thing, you're being secluded from everyone else when your lonely, but it opens up many new doorways and ideas for you in you're mind. George and Lenny are the only friends each of them have, it has been that wait since birth. They aren't really lonely because they have each other, but they are cut off from everyone else because of it. Curley’s wife happens to be the only woman on the ranch, which means she doesn't really have anyone to talk to because her sexuality isolates her and makes her lonely. Her own husband even ignores her which is another reason why she's lonely. Lenny is also alone, his mind isolates him from everything else due to him being mentally handicap. His mind doesn't fully understand things. John Steinbeck is saying that loneliness can make people evil due to them not being satisfied. He is saying people do things that cause other people to be pushed away because they themselves feel lonely inside.