Of Mice and Men: Book VS Movie
by: Akhilesh Vemuri
The Differences
#1
Of Mice and Men (1/10) Movie CLIP - Lennie's Dead Mouse (1992) HD
In the text, the author made this part seem like a small ordeal and George did not show any emotion and obeyed Lenny. The movie on the other hand gave this scene much more importance. By doing so, the director introduces Lenny's mental disability much more earlier than the author does. The author on the other hand, implies Lenny's mental disability rather than directly conveying it.
#2
Of Mice and Men (10/10) Movie CLIP - George Shoots Lennie (1992) HD
In short, the movie made the scene very abrupt. The book eased Lenny, and George talked to Lenny to calm him down and then George shot Lenny. By doing George taking the shot when Lenny was getting excited, the movie made it seem as if George had been planning to do this rather than showing George's gentle nature towards Lenny to the very end.
#3
Of Mice and Men (3/10) Movie CLIP - Curley's Wife Seduces George (1992) HD
This scene form the movie was not even part of the book. In no part of the book did George talk to Curley's wife (the lady). Also, the man named Crooks from the book was never part of the movie. By adding Curley's wife flirting with George, the director gave her more character than the book did. It showed her loneliness in some ways and her lack of commitment to Curley as well. In the story, not much is given on the characteristics of Curley's wife. On the other hand, by omitting Crooks, the director removed a character they deemed unnecessary for the present era. Crooks existed to show the segregation and ill treatment of the black people of that era.
The Similarities
#1
Of Mice and Men (4/10) Movie CLIP - Candy's Old Dog (1992) HD
The director sees the importance of this quote and decided to repeat what Carlson says word to word. This quote carries a heavy impact in a later scene. By using this diction - especially "He ain't no good to you Candy"- The director builds up to Candy's (the old guy) actions.
Of Mice and Men (5/10) Movie CLIP - The Plan Is Set (1992) HD
This scene shows how that phrase affects Candy's actions
#2
Of Mice and Men (6/10) Movie CLIP - Lennie Fights Back (1992) HD
As you can see, Lenny's actions after the fight remind us who Lenny really is. Lenny is a big man with the mind of a child. He does not want to hurt anyone. Sort of like a gentle giant. By repeating the scene verbatim, the director understood the gravity of this moment and Lenny's actions. From that point, many do not know what to do with Lenny, he is strong but, his actions and pleading after the fight make him seem volatile and confused.
#3
Of Mice and Men (2/10) Movie CLIP - The Loneliest Guys in the World (1992) HD
This scene sets the tone and setting for the story. In the place of the narrator setting the scene, John Steinbeck (the author), uses the main character instead to explain the setting. Using this trick, the director does the same to make his life easier as well.
Work Cited
Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. New York: Penguin, 1993. Online.
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