Analysis of Literary and Cinematic Techniques in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
Through a variety of literary and cinematic techniques respectively, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice And Men and Sean Penn’s Into The Wild illustrate how the fulfilment of one’s life, and their pursuit of happiness, hinge upon friendship, dreams, and one’s attitude towards life and happiness in general. Steinbeck’s 1937 novella Of Mice And Men illustrates the importance of friendship and dreams in a context of hardship and economic downturn. This is done by using George and Lennie and their dream of landownership and material possession to demonstrate how dreams give people the hope required to drive themselves, and how friendship offers them the ability to keep going even if their own spirit should break. Sean Penn’s 2007 film Into The Wild explores the importance of one’s attitude towards freedom and happiness, as well as the pursuit of one’s dreams, by following the journey and development of Christopher McCandless and his escape from the suffocating, materialistic society he was born into. Penn also demonstrates the value of friendship in shaping and changing ones worldview.
Steinbeck’s Of Mice And Men illustrates, in the context of the Great Depression, the value of friendship, dreams and attitude. The severe economic downturn that led to countless unemployed led to a rise in the American Dream of a piece of land with a white picket fence and materialistic possessions, and Steinbeck’s repetition of George and Lennie’s dream demonstrates how this played on the minds of those at the time. The repeated dream of having “a little place… (with) a pig and chickens… an’ a little piece alfalfa… for the rabbits” gives George and Lennie the drive they require to wander the country looking for work, even though such a dream remains only a whimsical fantasy. This inspiring dream doesn’t only give hope to George and Lennie, but also to Candy, putting forward the idea that “maybe we could do her right now”. Similarly Crooks, despite his pessimistic outlook, is also taken by the
Steinbeck’s Of Mice And Men illustrates, in the context of the Great Depression, the value of friendship, dreams and attitude. The severe economic downturn that led to countless unemployed led to a rise in the American Dream of a piece of land with a white picket fence and materialistic possessions, and Steinbeck’s repetition of George and Lennie’s dream demonstrates how this played on the minds of those at the time. The repeated dream of having “a little place… (with) a pig and chickens… an’ a little piece alfalfa… for the rabbits” gives George and Lennie the drive they require to wander the country looking for work, even though such a dream remains only a whimsical fantasy. This inspiring dream doesn’t only give hope to George and Lennie, but also to Candy, putting forward the idea that “maybe we could do her right now”. Similarly Crooks, despite his pessimistic outlook, is also taken by the