Of Mice And Men Thematic Essay
Of Mice and Men Thematic Essay
The book Of Mice and Men was written by John Steinbeck and takes place during the Great Depression. Throughout the book we follow the two main characters, George and Lennie. George is shown to have much power over Lennie. These two and many other characters struggle with obtaining, holding, or keeping “under control” the amount of power they have or want. In Steinbeck's novel, the theme that seems to be most present is that, although people seek power, they often misuse it after obtaining it.
In the book we see George have power over Lennie and because of this power over Lennie, George can make Lennie do almost anything. While George and Lennie sat, George questions to what is in Lennie’s hand. He soon finds out that it is a dead mouse. ”Give it here!” Lennie’s closed hand slowly obeyed.”(Steinbeck, 5) He forces Lennie to reluctantly hand over the dead mouse he had hidden in his hand. Lennie had no wish to give the mouse to George, but did as he was told. This shows that even though Lennie is larger than George that George still has a large amount of power over Lennie.
In another case where the theme, although people seek power, they sometimes …show more content…
Crooks had been talking with Candy and Lennie when Curley’s wife came in. Crooks stands up for Lennie as Curley’s wife picks his brain. She then turns on him in scorn and says, ”You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?” Crooks stared hopelessly at her & then he sat down on his bunk & drew into himself. She dosed on him.”You know what I could do?” Crooks seemed to grow smaller & he pressed himself against the wall.”(Steinbeck, 80,81). It is shown in the quote above that Curley’s wife indeed knows that she has power over Crooks, and that she uses her power to threaten him with lynching. Crooks cowered against the wall with just the words, “You know what I could do?”, showing how greatly he fears Curley’s
The book Of Mice and Men was written by John Steinbeck and takes place during the Great Depression. Throughout the book we follow the two main characters, George and Lennie. George is shown to have much power over Lennie. These two and many other characters struggle with obtaining, holding, or keeping “under control” the amount of power they have or want. In Steinbeck's novel, the theme that seems to be most present is that, although people seek power, they often misuse it after obtaining it.
In the book we see George have power over Lennie and because of this power over Lennie, George can make Lennie do almost anything. While George and Lennie sat, George questions to what is in Lennie’s hand. He soon finds out that it is a dead mouse. ”Give it here!” Lennie’s closed hand slowly obeyed.”(Steinbeck, 5) He forces Lennie to reluctantly hand over the dead mouse he had hidden in his hand. Lennie had no wish to give the mouse to George, but did as he was told. This shows that even though Lennie is larger than George that George still has a large amount of power over Lennie.
In another case where the theme, although people seek power, they sometimes …show more content…
Crooks had been talking with Candy and Lennie when Curley’s wife came in. Crooks stands up for Lennie as Curley’s wife picks his brain. She then turns on him in scorn and says, ”You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?” Crooks stared hopelessly at her & then he sat down on his bunk & drew into himself. She dosed on him.”You know what I could do?” Crooks seemed to grow smaller & he pressed himself against the wall.”(Steinbeck, 80,81). It is shown in the quote above that Curley’s wife indeed knows that she has power over Crooks, and that she uses her power to threaten him with lynching. Crooks cowered against the wall with just the words, “You know what I could do?”, showing how greatly he fears Curley’s