OF MICE AND MEN - how is violence and tension displayed
English HW – Of Mice and Men
How does Steinbeck depict violence and tension in this extract?
The use of short exact sentences are used to portray violence: “Curley was balanced and poised…slashed at Lennie…smashed down his nose…Lennie gave a cry of terror…blood welled from his nose…he backed until he was against the…slugging him in the face…he was too frightened to defend himself”. This is because the sharp punchy lines expose the rush of adrenaline emanating from the fight, representing each burst, and as a result heighten the suspense within the scene.
Steinbeck also uses imagery to illustrate the tense atmosphere. For example “Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier”: this suggests Curley’s aggression as he is given the persona of a fierce dog when he intimidates Lennie. This anger and hostility creates an atmosphere of tension and emotional strain, so foreshadowing the violent outbreak.
“Lennie covered his face with his huge paws and bleated with terror.”, employed is a metaphor comparing Lennie to a defenceless animal as he ‘bleated with terror’ like a sheep or goat being preyed upon. This resembles the conflict as Curly imposes himself upon Lennie, who is innocent and made victim to the onslaught.
The imagery of Curley “flopping like a fish on a line”, conveys his helplessness as he is struggling to cope and shows how the power has shifted to Lennie, who is now in control. The spontaneity of the change in the balance is emphasised by the use of time “the next minute”, as it connotes the fast pace, and subsequently causes a rise in tension.
How does Steinbeck depict violence and tension in this extract?
The use of short exact sentences are used to portray violence: “Curley was balanced and poised…slashed at Lennie…smashed down his nose…Lennie gave a cry of terror…blood welled from his nose…he backed until he was against the…slugging him in the face…he was too frightened to defend himself”. This is because the sharp punchy lines expose the rush of adrenaline emanating from the fight, representing each burst, and as a result heighten the suspense within the scene.
Steinbeck also uses imagery to illustrate the tense atmosphere. For example “Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier”: this suggests Curley’s aggression as he is given the persona of a fierce dog when he intimidates Lennie. This anger and hostility creates an atmosphere of tension and emotional strain, so foreshadowing the violent outbreak.
“Lennie covered his face with his huge paws and bleated with terror.”, employed is a metaphor comparing Lennie to a defenceless animal as he ‘bleated with terror’ like a sheep or goat being preyed upon. This resembles the conflict as Curly imposes himself upon Lennie, who is innocent and made victim to the onslaught.
The imagery of Curley “flopping like a fish on a line”, conveys his helplessness as he is struggling to cope and shows how the power has shifted to Lennie, who is now in control. The spontaneity of the change in the balance is emphasised by the use of time “the next minute”, as it connotes the fast pace, and subsequently causes a rise in tension.