Allusions And Reoccurring Themes In 'Of Mice And Men'

Of Mice & Men-
First things first, a character map (:

Allusions and reoccurring themes- STRONG BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS * Slim=God. * Refer to story of Cain and Abel! Every name starts with a “c.” Those people are supposed to be descendants of Cain and forced to live in isolation and loneliness. * “You are your brother’s keeper” George takes care of Lennie, he is his brother’ keeper.
Loneliness and Isolation! * Lennie is excited to go on to live out the “American Dream,” but this is difficult because of the conditions of the time period. * People didn’t have lasting friendships; refer to when Whit sees the magazine with the old worker’s letter in it. No one remembers this man. (pg. 46-47) * No one was happy! Mrs.
Symbolism of Dogs- * Slim (God) = Kill’s *Lulu’s puppies to save the others. DARWINISM! Survival of the fittest. He looks out for Candy’s old dog, wants to end suffering. Gives Lennie a puppy. * Dog’s have the pack mentality! Old saying- Dog eat dog world. Attach the weakest, the men see Lennie as weak because he isn’t too bright. * CYNICISM! Cyno (Latin root) = dog. People are motivated purely by self interest. * Candy’s old dog- symbolizes Lennie! The dog id a companion like Lennie is to George. But the dog is useless, old and a burden. Lennie is a burden on George. Candy says he “should of done it himself” when the dog is killed because it is his best friend. FORESHADOWING ALERT- Lennie’s death, George does it. George is his best friend. * Carlson- Characterized as impatient, selfish. *ANTAGONIST,* the “anti-friend” He usurps the role of God. * Curley’s Wife- she’s mean, “bitch.” REPRESENTS LEVELS OF POWER! Boss and Curley are above everyone, then Mrs. Curley, then the others.
Symbolism of Puppies- * Puppies represent softness and the American
Lennie is energetic, endearing, not bright, strong and innocent. “need for comfort.” He touches soft things! * George= “the bitch” the mother always looks after the puppy like George does for Lenny. BROTHER’S KEEPER!!! * Mrs. Curley is a “bitch” and tart. She referred to as a looloo! Lulu= the bitch with pups. Looloo= prostitute. * BITCH- Denotation= female dog, connotation= strong derogative!
George is the mother dog. He looks after Lennie, shares with him, cares for him and looks out for him. Lennie is a puppy. He’s big and strong, but doesn’t know his own strength. Puppies need their mother’s support and guidance.

Themes! * THE AMERICAN DREAM! George and Lennie dream of owning a little farm, to “live off the