Symbolism In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, is set in a specific time and place. Steinbeck uses symbolism to convey the central idea that the human race is extremely diverse and that there are different types of people. John Steinbeck uses Lennie to portray the “wise fool”. This is a person who is mentally inferior but reveals the best and worst in people. Lennie's mental disability often has him speaking the truth where others will not. Lennie is also used to symbolize the many people discriminated upon for their mental handicaps. George is symbolic of the “average Joe”. This type of person is found everywhere, and the way they act is neither notable nor horrendous. This character is the one whom most readers are, or identify as. Curly’s wife symbolizes the Biblical character, Eve. Where Eve goes against the word of God, Curly’s wife goes against the word of her husband to fulfill her temptations. She also symbolizes women who are stifled by male-centered societies everywhere.
Candy symbolizes people who are depreciated or disfavored because of their age. Carlson is the symbol for people oblivious to the emotions of others. These people are only distressed about things that affect themselves. Slim symbolizes the archetype, or model, of the natural born leader or hero. This person’s attributes seem legendary or immortal. John Steinbeck uses an abundance of symbolism in Of Mice and Men to convey his central idea of humans being extremely diverse and