Steinbeck and His Techniques for Success in Of Mice and Men

There is only one way an author can get their readers to cry, laugh, and love or just enjoy their master pieces. That one way is through the uses of literary devices such as similes, metaphors and personification. These are the small things that brings the author`s thoughts and ideas alive. The author`s ability to use literary devices through the book helps in direct characterization and lets readers get a better understanding of Lennie and George, the two main characters Of Mice and Men. It also helps in keeping readers thinking on their feet and constantly questioning George and Lennie`s next move while in Salinas, California. John Steinbeck, in his novel Of Mice and Men, makes use of similes and foreshadowing to keep readers in touch†¦show more content†¦Lennie`s character gets better and better as the story progresses, especially through the use of similes. While George and Slim are sharing their stories, George starts to discuss about the struggles he been through with Lennie. George explains to Slim about how Lennie was and says to him, â€Å"He`s dumb as hell, but he ain`t crazy† (Steinbeck 39).This shows the truthfulness in George`s words and dumb as hell means truly dumb and is usually used in Northern California to describe someone who is extremely dumb. This quote uses a simile and lets readers visualize and understand how dumb and stupid Lennie really is. The simile also helps to exaggerate how dumb Lennie is by comparing it to hell. It lets readers to get a better understanding of Lennie`s disabilities and understand him more. Overall, with the help of similes Lennie`s character comes to life and through the book .Similes give the book an overall effect of more imagery, exaggeration and helps build characters in the story. Lennie`s characteristic described from similes also help to foreshadow a character`s next decision or ending. Steinbeck uses foreshadowing to warn readers of future events that occur later in the story. Crook is a black stable-hand, kind but at the same time hates everyone on the farm. While all the men on the farm are out, Lennie spots a yellow light coming from Crook`s room and soon starts to make a conversation with Crook. Crook asks Lennie what he would do if George did not come back,Show MoreRelatedOf Mice and Men1006 Words   |  5 Pagesof every novel.† In your view, what are the distinctive ideas explored in Of Mice and Men? Explain how these ideas are developed throughout the novel. Themes are integral and fundamental aspects which render the literature valuable. They usually provide insight into the author’s perception and internalisations of the world in which they live. Set in California during the Great Depression, Of Mice and Men, by Steinbeck, illustrates the hardships experienced by individuals as they roamed the countrysideRead MoreOf Mice and Men, American Beauty Essay examples1159 Words   |  5 PagesThrough the comparative study of â€Å"Of Mice and Men† written by John Steinbeck in 1937 and â€Å"American Beauty† directed by Sam Mendes in 1999, it is apparent that the concept of the American Dream is timeless and enduring. Mendes and Steinbeck use language techniques such as dramatic foreshadowing and filmic techniques to define the American Dream’s spiritual and materialistic aspects. However, from the context of the Great Depression explored in â€Å"Of Mice and Men† to the economic boom of 1999 which providesRe ad MoreTheme Of Creation And Expulsion Of Cain From The Garden Of Eden Essay2550 Words   |  11 Pages When looking over Of Mice and Men, we come to realize that this work portrays various questions when it comes to man and his life. The main question that this work asks when the story is told is â€Å"is man destined to live alone, a solitary wanderer on the face of the earth, or is it the fate of man to care for man, to go in his way in companionship with another?† Should we ride solo or join others along the way? That is one of the themes of this work. This theme is like the theme that occurs in theRead MoreThemes And Styles Of John Steinbeck s The 4033 Words   |  17 PagesMr. Bruno English IV Period 08 November 17, 2014 Themes and Styles of John Steinbeck John Ernst Steinbeck, Jr. was born on February 26, 1902 in Salinas, California. He spent the majority of his childhood there and readers learn about his home city and childhood in his works. Steinbeck wrote novels, non-fiction books, short stories, poetry, and plays. Some of his most impactful and recognized works include: Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, The Pearl, The Moon is Down, East of Eden, In DubiousRead MoreJohn Steinbecks use of Realism, Characterization, and Dreams in The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men2450 Words   |  10 PagesJohn Ernst Steinbeck has written many award winning novels, some of which has even been produced as plays that captured audiences everywhere. Steinbeck wrote about real life experiences using realism, characterization, and dreams to emphasize his points and make an impact on his readers in order to reform or change society. The realism used in Steinbecks works is not only effective in informing the reader of circumstances that should be changed, but this nineteenth century literary style also createsRead MoreThemes, Styles, And Techniques Essay2289 Words   |  10 Pages 16 November 2016 Themes, Styles, and Techniques as Expressed in the Works of John Steinbeck INTRO INTRO INTRO INTRO INTRO INTRO INTRO When looking over Of Mice and Men, we come to realize that this work portrays various questions when it comes to man and his life. The main question that this work asks when the story is told is â€Å"is man destined to live alone, a solitary wanderer on the face of the earth, or is it the fate of man to care for man, to go in his way in companionship with another?† ShouldRead More Of Mice and Men and Steinbeck’s Life Essay2035 Words   |  9 PagesOf Mice and Men and Steinbeck’s Life      Ã‚   If an author does not have at least one great popular success, he or she may well be ignored by the media, but if he or she is constantly popular, then the critics become suspicious of the writers serious intentions (Benson Introduction). What do critics from the literary world have to say about Steinbecks writings? Critics have much to say, both positive and negative. What link exists between Steinbeck and his writings? Perhaps the most noteworthyRead MoreJohn Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men 1656 Words   |  7 PagesIn the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’, Curley’s Wife is one of the many characters who represent a minority in the American society in the 1930s. In the award winning book, John Steinbeck provides many different aspects to the world he was living in at the time he wrote the novel: dreams, hopes and loneliness to name a few, all channelled through one mentality - prejudice. Curley’s Wife was one of the many characters that Steinbeck used to get his point across about prejudice with. She is not a complexRead MoreEssay on Modernism at Its Finest in Literature756 Words   |  4 Pagesfrom the typical and predicate patterns of normal literature. Poets at this time took full advantage and stretched the idea of the mind’s conscience on how the world, mind, and language interact and contradict. Many authors, such as Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, and Twain, used the pain and anguish in first hand experiences to create and depict a new type of literature, modernism. In this time era, literature and art became a larger part of society and impacted more American lives than ever before. During