Of mice and Men Essay

Submitted By e-man14

Words: 505

Pages: 3

Open Document

Essay
To what extent has Steinbeck content shaped his exploration of individual and collective freedom.

Freedom is a collective journey rather than just an individual one. Steinbeck has shown this concept through the characters George and Lennie. He demonstrates how when there is friendship, it will last a lifetime regardless of time. This leads on to of how burden of freedom becomes less heavier when you have someone to help you carry it which can also include making sacrifices for one another.

Friendship is a bond that lasts a lifetime regardless of how inferior or old it has become. In the quote “The old man squirmed uncomfortably Well-hell! I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him.You wouldn't think it to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever”, there is a comparison between the old dog and Lennie. Even though Lennie is mentally challenged. Even though the dog is old and is unable to carry out his tasks, the old man still treats it like its best friend. This is the same situation with George and Lennie even though Lennie is mentally challenged and is inferior in front of George; it doesn’t affect George because of their deep intimate relationship.

The burden of freedom is much lighter when there is another shoulder to lean on. In the case of George and Lennie, it was mainly Lennie who helped George get a job due to his masculinity and George is the one who took care of Lennie. In the quote “but he’s sure of a good worker. Strong as a bull” there is the use of simile to show the importance of Lennie. George is the head and Lennie is the arms and both of them operate like a body and carry each other that way. Burden is the weight on your shoulders which is meant to be carried by another person.
The path of freedom sometimes needs sacrifices,

Of Mice and Men Essay

‘Of Mice and Men’personal study essay question;Discuss how the writer explores the main theme of loneliness in the novel and how this affects the characters. ‘Of Mice and Men’by John Steinbeck is about two young men named Lennie Small and George Milton who try and achieve the American dream. They aim to have their own farm and land and to live a better, ideal life style but it does not plan out how they wanted.At the start of the book Lennie and George’s strong friendship is instantly…

Words 1080 - Pages 5

Of Mice and Men Essay

As the only present female character in the story, Steinbeck’s ideas and conceptualizations involving women are expressed through Curley’s wife. She is portrayed as a tramp and a temptress, always looking to cause some trouble with her sexuality. Her destructiveness is apparent through the aggression she causes in Curley, as though it is all her fault. It may be argued that Steinbeck’s portrayal of women in the novella is sexist, limited, and misogynistic, as the female characters mentioned in the…

Words 327 - Pages 2

Essay on Of Mice and men

My Essay Many people have friends that contribute to their own destructions, but sometimes doing what’s right for the both of you may be easier said than done. Many people may not agree with Georges decision to kill Lennie at the end of the novel , Of Mice And Men, however throughout the entire book, the author, John Steinbeck, included several reasons that support the fact George had no other choice . It doesn’t take a lot to see why George had to kill Lennie. He consistently stayed in trouble…

Words 434 - Pages 2

Essay on Of Mice and Men

Aaron Hoenig 11/7/12 4A Loneliness in Of Mice and Men One of the most important themes in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is loneliness. Multiple characters in this book are lonely, and all in very different ways. Lennie is a very lonely character. Because of his mental capacity people do not understand him. Curley’s wife is one of the most obvious lonely characters because the only person she can talk to is her husband. Another lonely character is George even though on the outside he does…

Words 1446 - Pages 6

Of Mice And Men Essay

Sharon Wong Phanthai English 10 7 Oct 2013 Of Mice and Men Essay: Analyzing a character Many characters in the novel, Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck have a purpose that they serve in the story. Steinbeck uses these characters to make an opinionated statement about society in the 19130’s. Curley’s wife is described throughout the novel as a very attractive woman, who has full roughed lips and wide spaced eyes, heavily made up. She had red fingernails and her hair was in curls like sausage Curley’s…

Words 587 - Pages 3

Mice of Men Essay

English Essay By Abbey Unger The novella ‘Of Mice & Men’ by John Steinbeck is a touching story of the friendship between two men set in the U.S during the 1930’s of the Great Depression. In this novel George was faced with a consequential decision to save Lennie from Curley’s wrath. The story follows two men who are travelling by foot to find work. They are faced with many social issues due to one character, Lennie, having a mental disability. Because of Lennie’s incredible strength…

Words 847 - Pages 4

Of mice and men Essay

In ‘Of mice and Men’ Steinbeck uses each character to portray many themes and ideas. Some of the main themes in this novel are loneliness, shattered dreams and isolation. Despite Curley’s wife not being a main character she represents most of these themes. She is presented as a flirtatious, promiscuous and trouble-some woman who is a danger to the men on the ranch. This essay will explore the writer’s ideas and how both dislike and sympathy are created for Curley’s wife between the first and last…

Words 1018 - Pages 5

Synthesis Essay: Of Mice And Men

Of Mice and Men Synthesis Essay Of Mice and Men was written by John Steinbeck, who took his central idea from the poem To A Mouse, by Richard Burns. The Cove House, photographed by Richard Broome, has inspired the settings in Of Mice and Men. Therefore, there are many of similarities between all three mediums, including the themes and symbols. Steinbeck’s story and Burns’ poem has similar themes. The poem is about a farmer and a mouse who interacts without speaking. In the beginning of the poem…

Words 443 - Pages 2

In The Book Of Mice And Men Essay

Of Mice and Men American Dream Essay Jimmy Slater Catalfamo Period 8 In the book Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, he talked about the American dream. Even though people may have large hopes and dreams, they are highly unlikely to actually happen. Steinbeck Portrays this through Curley’s wife and Lennie. The characters had specific dreams that were very far-fetched from their current living status. Lennie had a dream of living in a nice farm house with George where he they would have a bunch…

Words 449 - Pages 2

Of Mice And Men Theme Essay

Themes in Of Mice and Men Authors often use books to teach lessons that we can relate to in our own lives. In the novel, Of Mice and Men, they show deepest desires through the characters actions. These actions often contribute to one or more of the three main themes in the novel: friendship, loneliness, and dreams. The purpose of this essay is to inform the reader on the themes of friendship, loneliness, and dreams. In John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, several themes are shown through…

Words 669 - Pages 3