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Of Mice And Men Symbolism Essay

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In Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses a lot of symbolism. The story is about two men, George and Lennie, who are living in the great depression and just trying to stay alive. Steinbeck uses symbolism to show readers what life was like for his characters. The three major uses of symbolism are George and Lennie’s dream farm, Candy’s dog, and Lennie’s animal like features. The largest symbol in Of Mice and Men is Lennie and George’s dream farm. Having this dream helps Lennie have hope. Lennie has a mental disability, which makes him act as if he was a kid. The dream far is a way that George keeps Lennie in check. George asks Lennie if he remembers the story, and he responds, “I remember the rabbits George” (Steinbeck 9). Not only does it give Lennie hope, but also it keeps George going. He knows that they will never be able to have a farm, but if it keeps Lennie happy, then George is happy. …show more content…
Using the imagery that Lennie has animal like features helps exemplify the enormity of Lennie and his size, “Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, and wide sloping shoulders, and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws” (Steinbeck 2). Even though Lennie towers over George, he still respects George immensely. George is like an older brother to Lennie and he will follow George everywhere. It says in the book, “Georges hand remained outstretched imperiously. Slowly, like a terrier who doesn’t want to bring a ball to its master, Lennie approached again” (Stienbeck 9). Lennie will try and please George and any cost. Giving characters animal like features, especially Lennie, helps create an image for that character. In the story Of Mice and Men written by John Steinbeck, there are many uses of symbolism like, the dream farm, Candy’s dog, and Lennie and his animal like features, that help create an image for life during The Great

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