Research Essay Literature & Language Essay Coursework

An In-depth Analysis of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men
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John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men novel is a descriptive narration of a parable revealing what it means to be human. It was published in 1937. Steinbeck uses his life experience to show that although people including and not limited to researchers, may yield and know different meanings of humanity, they might have missed the ideal definition of the word. His personal encounter reveals that people experience various difficulties not because there is no one around them in the position to help, but because the people with the capacity may not be willing based on issues like racism and disability. Inferior populations in such situations have to go through significant challenges before they achieve their dreams because even the contemporary society thinks they should not achieve what they anticipate to attain considering their inner feelings relating to their destinies. Steinbeck uses his experience in the description of the protagonists George and Lennie and what they went through to show what people experience in the standard society. Although the narration is simple, it does not just represent any other story meant to entertain the community. It carries a significant element of lessons on how people should treat each other with humanity despite their social differences in aspects like race and health conditions.
Summary of the OF Mice and Men
The narration opens with a description of the topography of California City in the United States. According to Gale (2015), the city’s central valley is the geographical location of the notable characters in the narration. It is few miles south of Soledad, where the Salinas River winds through an idyllic scene of yellow sands, golden foothills, and where the deer came to the shore to drink water at night (Gale, 2015). The protagonists, George Milton and Lennie Small appear first in this area. They move to various places in California, looking for new job opportunities. The narrator reveals that George is small quick with sharp restless eyes on a dark face while Lennie is an absolute opposite of him (Gale, 2015). Lennie is a huge shapeless man with large pale eyes, accompanied by broad sloping shoulders (Gale, 2015). Although they have the plan of searching for jobs, there main reason for finding themselves in California is different. Gale (2015) argues that they had fled from a setting of Weed in North California, where Lennie had gotten in trouble, forcing them to move towards the south. In this case, they have to look for employment in the ranch since it is clear they cannot return to the North.
However, it is revealed that Lennie is mentally disabled, as the two begin to converse. Gale (2015) claims that he uses kids’ vocabulary and cannot remember what happened in Weed. In addition, Lennie has been petting a dead mouse in his pocket secretly, and the most surprising issue about the ‘pet’ is that he becomes emotional and starts crying when George tries to make him give up on it. This stance reveals that Lennie is not mentally okay. Although Lennie’s situation is complicated and does not require compromise, George cannot put up with his behavior at first. Thus, George lectures him using harsh words such as “you crazy son of a bitch,” to show that Lennie is nothing but a burden to him (Gale, 2015). However, George understands Lennie better regarding his mental situation. On the other hand, it is weird that Lennie can make sensible statements, considering his mental situation. At one stance, he requests Gorge to repeat after he speaks of how they will buy a piece of land and live by working on their farms together after getting through and done with the lonely and hard life as farm laborers in the ranch (Gale, 2015). The essential aspect was getting the job they acquired in the ranch, which, according to their belief in a brighter future, was just but a humble beginning towards greatness.
George and Lennie are met and brought to the owner of the workers’ bunkhouse by Candy, the handyman upon arrival at the ranch. The protagonists are hired after a series of discussions about their ability to work, despite Lennie’s inability to speak (Gale, 2015). On the other hand, Curley, the boss’s son, arrives at the ranch, looking for his father. His arrival introduces an encounter with Lennie, and according to Candy, he is a good fighter who likes to battle with larger men than himself. This description explains why Curley approached Lennie with his hand closed into fists, considering Lennie’s body size and the fighting desires of the boss’s son.
Also, Curly is known to be jealous of his pretty new wife. The wife appears pretending to look for his husband, and her appearance is also accompanied by the presence of Slim, the mule driver (Gale, 2015). Lennie and George learn that Slim has a dog with a litter of puppies, with the former getting inte...