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The Role Of Power In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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“There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke. His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love.” (33). Any reader can feel the power welling up behind this statement. Without forcing anything, the ability to influence others with just a word. That is power. However, there are other types of power as well. Physical power, authoritative power, emotive power, all can be influential. Some people aren’t even aware of the power they wield. In the book Of Mice and Men characters in different places struggle with and use their different types of power. Those characters with power include Slim, Lennie, George, and Curley, and each of them uses their power in different ways. “... Slim’s opinions were law.” (45) This sentence is the sum of Slim’s power. He, though he’s a master of his task, is not a vain man. He simply respects people and listens to them. Those on the ranch have come to understand that when Slim gives an opinion, he has the best interest of those concerned in mind. This gives him power to influence others if he chooses. He used this power to convince Candy that his dog would be better off out of his misery, stating that if he were in the …show more content…
Their powers aren’t always useful to them, sometimes getting them into trouble or putting them under suspicion, but they are there for better or for worse. With each person influencing the others, it’s no surprise that the best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry. Curley has power over the others, and is scared of Lennie. Lennie is just strong and simple, and listens only to George. Slim can point anyone in any direction he chooses. Different people and uses of power combine to throw off any well-laid plan. Of course, this leaves any bystanders with the question: “‘Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?’”

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