How is the idea of powerlessness shown in 'Of Mice And Men'?
How does Steinbeck present different types of power and powerlessness in ‘’Of Mice and Men’’?
In the book ‘’Of Mice and Men’’ Steinbeck uses different types of power and powerlessness to show the personalities of the characters. He uses the idea of power to show difference in all the characters and how their differences change each individual life in the ranch. Steinbeck portrays many strengths and weakness in a wide spectrum. In the pecking order of the ranch, Curley has most power, and is a bully. His wife has no identity, and is terribly lonely, but she too hurts others using manipulation. Cruelty and abuse of power characterises most of the novel, with the most noticeable exception of George and Lennie.
Lennie shows extreme power in his strength. He is like an animal as it says ‘’snorted’’ and ‘’paws’’. He is portrayed like a bear but shows, although he has the strength to crush Curley’s hand on page 69-71, he has no control of his mind and lacks confidence and has to rely on George such as a domestic animal would towards his owner. Furthermore he is described as ‘’a huge man…large, pale eyes’’ and also ‘’dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws’’. Steinbeck uses his physical power to show he is dangerous to the other characters such as Curley’s wife who Lennie kills.
Steinbeck shows that when Lennie starts to panic his power gets worse consequently fatal for Curley’s wife. Also he cannot think for himself and crushes Curley’s hand because he is told to by George. Lennie’s animal characteristics also come through in this chapter ‘’bleated…huge paws’’. Throughout the book Lennie’s actions reflect badly on the dream that the men in the ranch share. He is constantly putting it in jeopardy due to his lack of control and thought towards how his actions reflect on others. The combination of innocence and strength is what really makes Lennie so powerful and dangerous.
Throughout the novel Steinbeck presents the character of Curley’s wife in a
In the book ‘’Of Mice and Men’’ Steinbeck uses different types of power and powerlessness to show the personalities of the characters. He uses the idea of power to show difference in all the characters and how their differences change each individual life in the ranch. Steinbeck portrays many strengths and weakness in a wide spectrum. In the pecking order of the ranch, Curley has most power, and is a bully. His wife has no identity, and is terribly lonely, but she too hurts others using manipulation. Cruelty and abuse of power characterises most of the novel, with the most noticeable exception of George and Lennie.
Lennie shows extreme power in his strength. He is like an animal as it says ‘’snorted’’ and ‘’paws’’. He is portrayed like a bear but shows, although he has the strength to crush Curley’s hand on page 69-71, he has no control of his mind and lacks confidence and has to rely on George such as a domestic animal would towards his owner. Furthermore he is described as ‘’a huge man…large, pale eyes’’ and also ‘’dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws’’. Steinbeck uses his physical power to show he is dangerous to the other characters such as Curley’s wife who Lennie kills.
Steinbeck shows that when Lennie starts to panic his power gets worse consequently fatal for Curley’s wife. Also he cannot think for himself and crushes Curley’s hand because he is told to by George. Lennie’s animal characteristics also come through in this chapter ‘’bleated…huge paws’’. Throughout the book Lennie’s actions reflect badly on the dream that the men in the ranch share. He is constantly putting it in jeopardy due to his lack of control and thought towards how his actions reflect on others. The combination of innocence and strength is what really makes Lennie so powerful and dangerous.
Throughout the novel Steinbeck presents the character of Curley’s wife in a