The main idea of “Spring 1934” is that dust and drought are ripping apart the lives of the West coast civilians. For example, you can find this in “Beat Wheat.” This poem shows that the dust is terrorizing the farmer’s food source and income, and making townsfolk (mostly farmers) lose hope. You can see the lost hope from Country Agent Dewey saying "Soon there won't be enough wheat for seed to plant next fall." “Beat Wheat” is also showing how the future of townsfolk are being affected by the dust, like how Billie Jo and Joe De La Flor’s are. Next, right after “Beat Wheat”, “Give Up on Wheat” tells about Billie Joe’s family being torn apart because of the dust. The argument between Ma and Daddy was caused by the dust, for it was about the
In the poem, To a Mouse, Robert Burns states, “The best laid schemes of mice and men/ Go often askew/ And leave us nothing but grief and pain” (Burns). Burns wrote about an incident where he accidentally ruined a mouse’s home while plowing a field. During the early 1900s, the Great Depression, one of the biggest economic slumps in the history of the United States, was taking place. It resulted in many people being unemployed, lonely, and stuck in poverty. In the story, George and Lennie move around looking for work on farms, so that they can one day use their money to buy a house on their own. Unfortunately, Lennie often makes mistakes causing them to leave a job early before making their money. At one farm, they meet a man named Candy who
John Steinbeck, the author of the novella, Of Mice and Men, sets the story in the great depression, where itinerant workers travel to California to find work. Through the use of light imagery and setting the author develops the theme of the American dream. The literary devices also create an unrealistic impression of George and Lennie's dream, giving the reader a sense of pity.
Throughout the early 1930’s, Steinbeck’s characters were in search of a better life. They believed that they would achieve freedom from their nomadic lifestyles in America. Unfortunately, after the Wall Street crash of 1929 many of them lost their dream once the Great Depression began. To make matters worse, the increased farming activity and the 7 year drought which began in 1931 created the Dust Bowl in the Great Plain States. During this time, many people traveled to California in search of jobs and an easier life. George and Lennie, one of the many migrant workers, had a dream of one day owning their own property, but with a turn of events they lose their chance at this dream and end up alone and devastated. However, George and Lennie’s compassion for each other manages to override the story’s dark mood. In his book Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck suggests that companionship is paramount to living a good life. Steinbeck chooses to reveal this theme through his characters Curley, Crooks, George and Lennie.
John Steinbeck in his novella, Of Mice and Men, utilizes multiple writing strategies to develop his central idea. Numerous different main concepts can be taken from the novella. One that is extremely prominent is the perception of the “american dream,” working diligently to achieve one’s goals and objectives. Steinbeck reinforces this central idea by applying imagery, figurative language, strongly into the entirety of the novella, but especially applying it in the first chapter.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the United States was booming with new industrial innovations because of new technologies, and it was becoming one of the leading economies in the world. This economic boom came to a sharp halt as events such as the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl hit, causing millions of Americans to face economic struggles. “The Strenuous Life,” a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt, displays the ideas of American work ethics that led to economic growth in the early 1900s. These ideals of work ethic not only prompted the cause of the Dust Bowl, but were continued on into the lives of the affected farmers as Americans displaced and in poverty from this event continued to participate in migrant work with awful living
After reading Of Mice and Men, I felt the need to research the author. After researching the author, I realized that he based this book off of his experiences. Steinbeck grew up in Salinas, California and that is where the book takes place. Due to John Steinbeck growing up and experiencing the Great Depression, I think his inspiration to write this book came from the social and economic issues that he had witnessed. He worked closely with migrants and itinerants and that deepened the empathy for workers as well as deepening his love for writing. Of Mice and Men depicts a migrant worker and the struggles they face while trying to make their dream become a reality. Steinbeck highlights the perceived isolation and fight for independence that can
Classic American works of literature have recurring themes involving tales of friendship, loneliness, and appreciation of life. Novels to teach the coming generations, they clearly depict the struggles and dreams every average family or folk by providing simple plots every reader can relatively relate to. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is no exception to the rule. Following the daily lives of two friends, the cliche of internal struggle is prevalent throughout the duration of the novel. From the depictions of actions and attributes of the characters, themes, and plot, audiences can obviously pluck out the cliche. When narrowed down, the cliche in Of Mice and Men is a story about a man, George, struggling to decide whether he should pursue aspirations or abandon completely.
Anton Chekhov once stated, “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” By using descriptive language, the author is able to paint a picture in the reader’s mind to help them visualize the narrator’s visualization and perspective. In the short story, “The Treasure of Lemon Brown” by Dean Myers, the author uses figurative language and descriptive adjectives to develop the mood and the characters.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a well known classic that depicts the life of migrant workers''' during the great depression. As this book may seem uninteresting, it actually has been shown immense respect in the literature world. It has stood the test of time and is a primary book being taught in schools today. The theme played a big role in making this happen. Without realization kids are able to relate to the reason that it depicts loneliness and betrayal. Throughout the story you not only recognize this in the main characters, George and Lennie, but also the minor characters as well. For Of Mice and Men to stand the test of time there theme of loneliness and betrayal has been relatable by people of all ages.
Johns Steinbeck’s 1937 masterpiece “of mice and men” gives insight to the lives of ordinary people affected by the great depression in America, during the 1930s. In the novella the themes of loyalty and disloyalty are a key part of the plot. Steinbeck explores the seminal themes of loyalty and disloyalty by careful use of setting, structure and development of complex character constructs. Also the use of language and imagery in the novella depict the reality of the great depression for many people and the challenges they faced everyday.
Johns Steinbeck’s 1937 masterpiece “of mice and men” gives insight to the lives of ordinary people affected by the great depression in America, during the 1930s. In the novella the themes of loyalty and disloyalty are a key part of the plot. Steinbeck explores the seminal themes of loyalty and disloyalty by careful use of setting, structure and development of complex character constructs. Also the use of language and imagery in the novella depict the reality of the great depression for many people and the challenges they faced everyday.
During the time of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression many small farmers lost their farms due to poor farmer conditions. Those who managed to continue to produce a crop yield eventually lost their farms due to the failing economy. This harsh time is highlighted in John Steinbeck’s classic novel, Grapes of Wrath. During one of Steinbeck’s intercalary chapters, chapter 14, Steinbeck uses pathos, a metaphor, and short syntax to show that big business, especially in the agricultural industry, is the root of the hardships faced by small farmers and migrant workers.
Throughout Steinbeck’s naturalistic novel, Of Mice and Men, He portrays two distinctively different men struggling to persevere and survive in an otherwise cruel world. Two migrant workers, George and Lennie thrive off the company of one another and the impossible dream that one day, they will acquire land and make a contented life for themselves. Through their friendship and constant hope for a better life, George and Lennie learn how to survive and cling to aspiration during the harsh Depression era. Steinbeck uses symbolism, irony, and characterization in his classic novel to illustrate the undying hope found in a desperate situation.
One time, standing in my cabin, I glanced outside to see the grazing horses and the jumping rabbits. I felt light, yet remorse, because rabbits are a symbol in the book Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Rabbits were the fixation Lennie had and hope he held on to for a better future. John Steinbeck gives a hopeful, sorrowful tone throughout the whole book Of Mice and Men (1937). In the book, George and Lennie bounce around from job to job, never having a solid place to call home. George and Lennie land a secure job as ranch hands in Salinas Valley. At the ranch George protects Lennie from the struggles of their everyday life. John Steinbeck's use of characterization, setting, and tone make George's actions at the end justified.