Opening Chapter of Mice and Men
How Effective is The Opening Chapter in Establishing Character Place and Themes
Steinbeck writes the novel “Of mice and Men” using third person narrative to emphasise more of the characters feelings. Two migrant agricultural labourers, George, and Lennie have left their previous jobs in a hurry, following accusations of attempted rape. The reader discovers that George is short of stature, we can identify this at the front of the book, and throughout the novel ‘the first man was small’ also we find out that he is intelligent and projects self-confidence. John Steinbeck displays contrast between Lennie, is a giant of a man ‘a huge man’, ponderous in his walk and has the mind of a young child. Therefore, is dramatically effective as it leaves the reader uncertain about the situation as we think what do these different characters have in common, why are they together, are they up to something? The reader soon discovers that they have a very close bond. This is because they both share the same dream of owning their own ranch, after many hard working years, moving from ranch to ranch, living in complete poverty and working for next to nothing they finally try to achieve this life long dream. At the end of the beginning chapter Lennie pleads with George to tell him over and over again about their dream ranch, when Lennies main task will be the rabbits. Again Steinbeck shows how immature Lennie is, I think Geroge and Lennie have a bond which represent father and son. Geroge being the father not very patient always telling Lennie off and Lennie very childlike keeps rebelling.
Steinbeck emphasis his writing skills by revealing a vivid description of the place and atmosphere ‘A few miles south, On the sandy bank under the trees, shade climbed up the hills towards the top’. This type of writing method is effective because it’s so detailed that it becomes vivid and lifelike in our imagination, so that we feel like we have become involved in story, we
Steinbeck writes the novel “Of mice and Men” using third person narrative to emphasise more of the characters feelings. Two migrant agricultural labourers, George, and Lennie have left their previous jobs in a hurry, following accusations of attempted rape. The reader discovers that George is short of stature, we can identify this at the front of the book, and throughout the novel ‘the first man was small’ also we find out that he is intelligent and projects self-confidence. John Steinbeck displays contrast between Lennie, is a giant of a man ‘a huge man’, ponderous in his walk and has the mind of a young child. Therefore, is dramatically effective as it leaves the reader uncertain about the situation as we think what do these different characters have in common, why are they together, are they up to something? The reader soon discovers that they have a very close bond. This is because they both share the same dream of owning their own ranch, after many hard working years, moving from ranch to ranch, living in complete poverty and working for next to nothing they finally try to achieve this life long dream. At the end of the beginning chapter Lennie pleads with George to tell him over and over again about their dream ranch, when Lennies main task will be the rabbits. Again Steinbeck shows how immature Lennie is, I think Geroge and Lennie have a bond which represent father and son. Geroge being the father not very patient always telling Lennie off and Lennie very childlike keeps rebelling.
Steinbeck emphasis his writing skills by revealing a vivid description of the place and atmosphere ‘A few miles south, On the sandy bank under the trees, shade climbed up the hills towards the top’. This type of writing method is effective because it’s so detailed that it becomes vivid and lifelike in our imagination, so that we feel like we have become involved in story, we