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Of Mice of Men Essay

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Of Mice of Men Essay
Of Mice and Men Essay
A comparison of these two passages yields the concept that nature possesses a conflict between the ideal and the reality. One way Steinbeck expresses this theme is through his use of imagery. For example, he illustrates this imagery in the way he describes the actions of the woodland environment and how it changes from the beginning to end. Another way Steinbeck shows this idea is through the use of detail in his writing. An example of this would be how he describes the environment and animals in specific detail that provides an idea of what is going to happen next. Lastly Steinbeck’s use of organization in Of Mice and Men helps to show this reoccurring theme. He does this through the way he explains one idea fully and then transitions smoothly to the next. This visualized theme is that nature can be ideal and beautiful but survival sometimes requires harsh reality. In these two passages Steinbeck uses imagery to support the ideas of the theme. In the first passage he conveys to us an ideal and beautiful environment where everything in the woodland is peaceful and working together. This is shown in couples of textual examples like “the water is warm too…willows fresh and green with every spring…with the split wedge tracks of deer that come to drink in the dark.” But as the plot thickens and the story comes to an end, this dream-like environment ceases to exist and is replaced by that of a reality filled one. An example of this is shown by the way the heron eats “plucked it out by the head…the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically”. Another example to support this environment reality is the change of that took place in the trees “the sycamore leaves turned up their silver side, the brown, dry leaves on the ground scudded a few feet”. This well identified theme is shown through the character’s actions and thoughts too. For example from the beginning to throughout most of this book George and Lennie have this dream

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