Analyzing Themes In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

When reading a novel, there is generally a theme. A theme is the central idea of the novel. Normally, the author of the novel is trying to teach readers a life lesson. In Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses multiple themes throughout his novel. Steinbeck uses his theme of hopes and dreams to show motivation, unlikeliness, and anger. In the beginning of Of Mice and Men, the reader learns about Lennie and George and how they wish to own a small farm. Whenever Lennie is sad he’ll ask George to tell him “about the rabbits” (13). George and Lennie use the idea of them owning a small farm to keep them working so they can save up enough money. When Candy decides to help them out financially “they looked at one another, amazed. This thing they had never really believed in was coming true” (60). When George and Lennie thought their dream was
Lennie has a problem with controlling his strength because he has mental issues, which the reader can better understand him when Slim and George say, “He ain't mean," said Slim. "I can see Lennie ain't a bit mean." "'Course he ain't mean. But he gets in trouble alla time because he's so God damn dumb” (41). Lennie is so strong he is constantly killing mice and puppies. Towards the end of the story when Curley’s wife lets Lennie touch her hair, he accidentally kills her because she starts screaming since he would not let go, but he does not want George to know he upset her. Lennie says, “George gonna say I done a bad thing. He ain't gonna let me tend no rabbits." He moved his hand a little and her hoarse cry came out. Then Lennie grew angry. "Now don't," he said. "I don't want you to yell. You gonna get me in trouble jus' like George says you will” (91). Lennie took the idea of his dream and let it consume him so much that the idea of him losing it led him to kill