Quaiyum:Explore how Steinbeck presents the theme of power and powerlessness in the relationships between characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’. Focus on the events in chapter 4.
Wednesday 21st November 2012 Quaiyum Miah
Explore how Steinbeck presents the theme of power and powerlessness in the relationships between characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’.
Focus on the events in chapter 4.
The theme of power and powerlessness in chapter 4 of ‘Mice and Men’ is presented by Steinbeck in various ways. For example power is displayed though imagery, characterisation and dialogue. The main theme of power in Steinbeck’s novella includes seduction, physical strength and maintenance of hierarchy. The power of seduction is bestowed upon Curley’s wife as she is the only women on the ranch. The power of strength flourishes in Lennie (who is somewhat of a simpleton and very child minded), he is portrayed as a figure of immense physical strength. Also another character that is embedded with power is George. Even though he is not present until the very end of chapter 4 he is still regarded with great power, a high echelon of power.
Lennie is subjugated by George, hence the reason he acts like a subordinate to George. Crooks, Lennie, Candy, Curley’s wife and George are all attributed by Steinbeck with unique forms of power. At times power which raises them to a high position but other times great powerlessness. In this essay I will be mainly focusing on Crooks and argue that he has slight yet not a lot of power compared to some other characters.
Firstly I notice that Steinbeck always starts with the setting in each chapter ‘Of Mice and Men’. There are sundry links between power and how the setting and characters are introduced in the chapters by Steinbeck. To some extent Steinbeck gives the reader a foreshadowing of the power the character grasps. This can be shown though the beginning of chapter 4. The chapter begins with a significant clue of Crooks power in the novella. ‘Crooks, the Negro stable buck had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that learned off the wall of the barn. On one side
Explore how Steinbeck presents the theme of power and powerlessness in the relationships between characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’.
Focus on the events in chapter 4.
The theme of power and powerlessness in chapter 4 of ‘Mice and Men’ is presented by Steinbeck in various ways. For example power is displayed though imagery, characterisation and dialogue. The main theme of power in Steinbeck’s novella includes seduction, physical strength and maintenance of hierarchy. The power of seduction is bestowed upon Curley’s wife as she is the only women on the ranch. The power of strength flourishes in Lennie (who is somewhat of a simpleton and very child minded), he is portrayed as a figure of immense physical strength. Also another character that is embedded with power is George. Even though he is not present until the very end of chapter 4 he is still regarded with great power, a high echelon of power.
Lennie is subjugated by George, hence the reason he acts like a subordinate to George. Crooks, Lennie, Candy, Curley’s wife and George are all attributed by Steinbeck with unique forms of power. At times power which raises them to a high position but other times great powerlessness. In this essay I will be mainly focusing on Crooks and argue that he has slight yet not a lot of power compared to some other characters.
Firstly I notice that Steinbeck always starts with the setting in each chapter ‘Of Mice and Men’. There are sundry links between power and how the setting and characters are introduced in the chapters by Steinbeck. To some extent Steinbeck gives the reader a foreshadowing of the power the character grasps. This can be shown though the beginning of chapter 4. The chapter begins with a significant clue of Crooks power in the novella. ‘Crooks, the Negro stable buck had his bunk in the harness room; a little shed that learned off the wall of the barn. On one side