Themes in "Of Mice and Men"

Analytical Essay # 62571

English > Analysis
Literature > American

A look at the major themes and motifs of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men".

1,114 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2005 Ireland

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the novel "Of Mice and Men" explores the predatory nature of human existence as well as themes such as loneliness, isolation and friendship. It looks at how a major theme is that of the illusionary nature of 'dreams' and in particular, 'The American Dream'. This context of the novel is also discussed.

Outline
The Dream
Friendship
Profound Truth
Economic Reality
Motifs
Symbols

From the Paper:

"George and Lennie live in a hopeless present but they somehow try to keep a foot in an idealized future. They dream of one day running their own ranch, safe and answerable to no one. Others such as Curley's wife dreams of being a movie star, Crooks, of hoeing his own patch and Candy's 'couple of acres'.The dream ends with the death of Lennie. George awakens to the realization that the earthly paradise himself and Lennie dreamed of is illusionary. At the end of the novel, George knows in his bones that for people like himself and Lennie there is no real hope of a better life. It is a stark and bitter knowledge. There is no doubt that Steinbeck certainly knew about Social Darwinism and the' survival of the fittest'. In this world the ruthless dominate the weak and the strong survive to live another day."

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APA Citation:

Themes in "Of Mice and Men" (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 12, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Analytical-Essay-Themes-in-Of-Mice-and-Men/62571