Of Mice and Men

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RELATIONSHIPS Slim and Lennie- Slim is nice to the boys and even offers up a puppy for lennie, who has a soft spot for animals, though his heavy handed nature is not always healthy for the animals, which sets a dark tone around Lennies relationship with animals, and therefore the dream

SYMBOLISM In this chapter symbolism between Candy and his dog is very important. Candys dog imitates both candy physicality and his mentality. He is broken down, old, unable to work. Carlson, for his own selfish reasons, convinces candy to let him kill the dog because it is old and smelly. As Candy is also old, weak and unable to work, it foreshadows that they might dispose of him, perhaps not in the same way as the dog but they are likely to fire him. Hence, the death of the sog symbolises the possible dismissal of Candy

THEME In this chapter, the theme of "the dream" is set and their future is optimistic, though the death of the mouse by lennies hand sets a dark tone around the relationship between lennie and animals, and therefore the theme. Their hopes are still high as Lennie continuosly pleads to hear the rehearsed speech that explains the dream.

SETTING It is set in an idyllic, perfect world only tainted by Lennies killing of the mouse, which foreshadows the breaking of the dream. Also the path is "beaten hard by boys" which indicates that others have followed the same dream but have failed.

THE CONFESSION What is being called "the confession" between Slim and george brings to light what happened in "weed" where Lennie grabbed a girls dress and not letting go, causing her to call "rape" and forcing them to flee. This is significant as it helps understand George's reasoning for being so paranoid and firm about Curleys Wife. This may also be the reason he insists Lennie speaks as little as possible, so as to avoid him telling anyone about this. In Chapter one, the make an escape plan for if something were to happen as it did in Weed, Lennie is told to "Hide in Brush" till george comes for him.

CURLEY Curleys entire persona exhibits unpleasence and even cruelty, his presence in a room can completely change the mood. He doesnt hide his hatrid for "Big Guys" and Candys stories make you worried for their jobs, and therefore the dream.

THEME The dream, has had a shadow cast over by the presense of curley and his wife, as george can sense trouble between both of them and lennie.

In "The Confession" George talks about how he convinced Lennie to jump into that river, just to see that he could, risking Lennies life in the process, and thenwhen he nearly drowned george pulled him out leaving Lennie nothing but thankful. He could never apologise to Lennie for this, as Lennie wouldnt understand why he needed to. From Lennies perspective, George had saved his life, but george knew he had done wrong and wanted to repent. As he couldnt talk to Lennie, Slim was his outlet. This, in my opinion, is why they called it "The Confession"

THEME At both the beggining and the end of this chapter, the dream seems impossible, but during the section where candy takes interest and offers up his money for a part in it they finnally have the means to achieve their dream. This all turns pear shaped after Curley attacks Lennie.

SYMBOLISM This chapter contains a lot of animal imagery to portray lennie as a clumsy, lumbering bear. Also rabbits are used a symbol for the dream from lennies perspective

RELATIONSHIPS Lennie and George- Lennie and georges relationship is presented as george being the boss, telling lennie not to talk which foreshadows whats to come.

Of Mice and Men

Chapter One- Key Events -On their way to ranch for work -Fled from last place of work -Wants to hear the dream again

Chapter Three- Key Events -"The Confession" To slim -Calrson kills the dog -Candy gains ineterest in the dream Curley attacks Lennie

Chapter Two- Key Events -Arrival at the Ranch, unwelcoming atmosphere -Meet Curley and wife, Slim, Candy, Carlson etc... -Lennie begs for slims puppy