Of Mice and Men
Morgan Cure
Diction
- This shows Lennie as vulnerable, dispite his size. In many of their conversations, Lennie sounds fearful, or intimidated when talking to George.
"[George] leaned over and inspected the sacking closely. Immediately Lennie got up and did the same with his bed."- Page 19
- This is representative of Lennie's actions. In multiple senerios, we see that Lennie tends to copy whatever George does, probably because Lennie sees George as an authority figure.
"Lennie spoke craftily, 'Tell me-- like you done before.' 'Tell you what?' 'About the rabbits.'"-- George and Lennie, Page 13
- In these senerios, we see that Lennie, dispite being scared of George when talking about everyday things, when they discuss their dream, he becomes animated and lively.
Imagery
- In this description, it clearly creates the environment where the story begins. It clearly dictates a large, looming tree, an old campsite that many have used before, and a seat created by the low lying tree limb. It gives the reader a sense of familiarity, with the natural welcoming of their surroundings.
- In this description, you see Slim as a person of authority just based on how he composes himself.
"'Well,' said George, 'we'll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit and a bunch of chickens...'"-George, Page 14
- In this description of George and Lennie's dream, you can easily see their plans, what they are working for.
Detail
- In this segment, George specifically tells to Lennie why he should not drink from this pool, but seems to do so begrudgingly. From the author's tone, you can see that George knows this is a hopeless task, as Lennie will not remember.
"'That dog ain't no good to himself. I wisht somebody'd shoot me if I got old an' a cripple.'"-Slim, Page 45
- This relates to Lennie and George's relationship, in that in the end, Lennie's situation couldn't be helped, so they did what was best for him.
"'Come on in. If everybody's comin' in, you might just as well.' It was difficult for Crooks to conceal his pleasure with anger."-Crooks, Page 75
- This shows that Crooks was not as impersonable as everyone thought. He too craves human company.
Language
- In this passage, Candy is telling George and Lennie about how after being married for only two weeks is Curley's wife looking at other men. This particular phrase demonstrates the time and place this story takes place.
- This is a metaphor, comparing Curley's wife's limp hair to sausages.
"Suddenly Lennie appeared out of the brush, and he came as silently as a creeping bear moves."-Page 100
- This is comparing Lennie's movements to those of a bear's reinforcing his stature.
Syntax
- In this beginning dialogue between Lennie and George, you can easily see the language used by Lennie is simplistic and repeated. This gives the reader a sense of calm, even though, as later explained by George, drinking from the pool may be dangerous.
"George held out his hand. 'Come on. Give it to me. You ain't puttin' nothing over it'"-Page 8
- George is speaking in short, simple sentences, giving a feeling of calming.
"'... So I married Curley. Met him out to the Riverside Dance Palace that same night.' She demanded, 'You listenin'?"-Page 88
- Curley's wife spoke in a fleeting way, as if she does not love Curley and married him for a reason other than love.