An Extract Demonstrating Steinbeck — страница 2
strongly believes that he will. This was emphasised earlier in the novel by Slim, as he says, “Ain´t many guys travel around together.” This shows how unique and special George and Lennie´s relationship is. The statement “You ain´t got nothing to do with the horses,” evokes the idea that Crooks cares very much for the horses and almost treats Lennie as a threat to them. Some sympathy is felt for Lennie as he is patient and polite towards Crooks even though he is somewhat annoyed and unwelcoming and like Crooks, Lennie is lonely as he is without George. Lennie´s ‘fawning´ smile shows his willingness to build a new relationship. At the end of the extract Steinbeck touches on the dream of Lennie, George, Candy and later, Crooks. Crooks asked what Candy is “Figuring about,” and ‘Lennie almost shouted´, “´Bout the rabbits.” This shows Lennie expects Crooks to know about their dream of buying their own land and to “Live on the fatta the lan´” because the dream is so close to being achieved. Both Lennie and Crooks use simple language and vocabulary and omit words, letters and sounds and add other words. For example, “Ever´body went into town, Slim an´ George an´ ever´body. George says I gotta stay here an´ not get in no trouble.” Lennie´s language is simpler than Crooks´. This is because Crooks is educated and Lennie is not and is mentally below average. The reason for this overall simplicity is to set the scene of 1930s western America and to demonstrate the ineptness of Lennie´s mind. Throughout the extract Steinbeck´s extensive descriptive writing creates a detailed setting which contributes to the atmosphere which in turn contributes to development of the relationship between Crooks and Lennie. Even in a short space of time the character of Lennie has developed by forming a relationship without George, whom he is reliant on. The simplicity of Steinbeck´s style and language allows the reader to understand significant themes of the story that he tackles in this extract. One of the literary techniques he uses to achieve this is by chiefly composing the text of monosyllabic words. To further set the scene of Crooks´ room, Steinbeck uses cinematic effects. This helps his descriptive writing and allows us to feel as if we are in the harness room with Crooks and Lennie. One of the main themes in this extract is the ambition and dream of George, Lennie, Candy and Crooks. However, further on in the novel Steinbeck uses presage to portray the realism of the story. These pre-cursors include the death of animals, the mouse and snake and the death of Curley´s wife and Lennie and so the death of the dream. Steinbeck creates the character of Curley´s wife to demonstrate presage and impermanence. Curley´s wife is a symbol of transience, as she is not even given a name. Also, Whit demonstrates the impermanence of the novel as he is present for a very short space of time. The extract I have chosen is an excellent example of the themes Steinbeck deals with and the literary techniques he uses. Also, this extract is similar to many in ‘Of Mice and Men´ and so summarises the novel very well.
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