Use Of Characterization In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

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John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is a short novel that packs a punch and really looks back at America’s past and mistakes. Steinbeck paints a picture of the late 1920s and early 1930s through two men, George and Lennie. George looks after the mentally challenged Lennie and must take action by soon ending Lennie’s life. The characters in the novel all struggle with heartbreaking conflicts but, no one else suffers more than Lennie and George. These conflicts are often supported imagery in the text. Along with these elements, imagery supports characterization throughout the novel. These elements help to support the theme that chaos can occur in even the most peaceful places. In his novel, Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses conflict, imagery, and characterization to strengthen the story, and develop the theme in the novel.

Steinbeck’s development of George and Lennie’s conflicts and even Candy’s help to advance the plot and develop the theme in the novel. George’s internal and external struggle is clear at the beginning of the …show more content…

By using characterization, conflict, and imagery to develop his characters Lennie and George, Steinbeck shows his readers that in any circumstance, good or bad, karma will appear and bring people the things they deserve. The touching and painful ending of Steinbeck's story shows chaos in a peaceful place in which Lennie is dying and yet still existing through all three devices: the characterization of both Lennie and George, the results of the conflicts they faced, and a vivid description of Lennie's death. Even after decades have passed since Steinbeck published this novel, Steinbeck's message to the reader stays the same, chaos can occur in even the most peaceful places. Never leaving people’s sides, always lurking in the shadows, waiting to

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