Tonal Analysis for of Mice and Men
Tonal Analysis for Of Mice and Men
An author writes to be heard. Their communication is purposeful, and an author who is truly in touch with the art of fiction evokes emotions in the reader throughout their work. These moods, or tones, are not used simply for the sake of being used, but rather in the hopes of moving the reader to think and realize essential messages about life. In the case of John Steinbeck, the tones of his short novel Of Mice and Men can be said to be a triumphant hope accompanying dreams, along with a terrifying hesitancy and fear of obstacles and defeat. The reluctance to fail becomes evident from the start of the story, and endures as the piece develops. On occasion, the elation of conquest and success interrupts the more uneasy and dark tones of the piece, but as quickly as it appeared, the joy is replaced with setbacks and disappointment. Steinbeck’s use of drastic changes in mood is meant to reflect the unpredictable and unmanageable nature of life, revealing there to be different dimensions to it. That is his purpose. The beginning of the novel displays an intimate sincerity in the way the main characters interact with each other, which later turns into a slight apprehension of the potential danger people in authority could be. Steinbeck’s description of the main characters, George and Lennie, reveals their differences; George is “small” and “quick”, with “restless eyes” and “defined” features. Lennie, his companion, is the complete “opposite” of George; he is a “huge man”, with a “shapeless face” and “loosely hanging” arms (2). The fact that these two men are even together in the first place adds a bit of mystery, as well as meaning, to the relationship. The reader here is inclined to find out what exactly the motivation is for each of these characters. The tone becomes one of curious expectancy, for the author has managed to hook the reader into his world. Later, while sitting down by the river and their fire, Steinbeck
An author writes to be heard. Their communication is purposeful, and an author who is truly in touch with the art of fiction evokes emotions in the reader throughout their work. These moods, or tones, are not used simply for the sake of being used, but rather in the hopes of moving the reader to think and realize essential messages about life. In the case of John Steinbeck, the tones of his short novel Of Mice and Men can be said to be a triumphant hope accompanying dreams, along with a terrifying hesitancy and fear of obstacles and defeat. The reluctance to fail becomes evident from the start of the story, and endures as the piece develops. On occasion, the elation of conquest and success interrupts the more uneasy and dark tones of the piece, but as quickly as it appeared, the joy is replaced with setbacks and disappointment. Steinbeck’s use of drastic changes in mood is meant to reflect the unpredictable and unmanageable nature of life, revealing there to be different dimensions to it. That is his purpose. The beginning of the novel displays an intimate sincerity in the way the main characters interact with each other, which later turns into a slight apprehension of the potential danger people in authority could be. Steinbeck’s description of the main characters, George and Lennie, reveals their differences; George is “small” and “quick”, with “restless eyes” and “defined” features. Lennie, his companion, is the complete “opposite” of George; he is a “huge man”, with a “shapeless face” and “loosely hanging” arms (2). The fact that these two men are even together in the first place adds a bit of mystery, as well as meaning, to the relationship. The reader here is inclined to find out what exactly the motivation is for each of these characters. The tone becomes one of curious expectancy, for the author has managed to hook the reader into his world. Later, while sitting down by the river and their fire, Steinbeck