Essay on John Steinbeck of Mice and Men Settings

John Steinbeck wrote ‘Of Mice and Men’ to show how hard life was for migrant ranch workers during the time of the Great Depression and how they were often exploited by their employers. In showing how George and Lennie’s dream of owning their own piece of land did not come true, Steinbeck explores a wider theme, criticising the idea of the American Dream. The American Dream tells people that there is ‘opportunity for each... regardless of the fortuitous circumstance of birth and position. Steinbeck criticises this as these ranch workers were given few opportunities. Settings play a very important part in the novel as they pinpoint clear times and places giving a sense of realism to the story, but they are also used to create atmosphere.†¦show more content†¦George and Lennie work on the land and their dream is to one day have some land of their own. When the Brush is revisited in section six, the quotation ‘a pleasant shade had fallen’, tells us that the atmosphere has changed. Also the animals tell us of a change as in section 6 the ‘beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head’ telling us of the water snakes death. This setting has altered than that of section one, where the animals were peaceful. ‘The rabbits sat as quietly as little grey, sculptured stones’ implies that they were minding their own business and safe as they were not scared of their surrounding until George and Lennie disturbed them. This is a large contrast between settings and tells us that in section 6, something must happen to explain the animals behaviour, implying a death. The Bunkhouse is another main setting in the novel and is important as it is where the readers are introduced to the rest of the characters. The bunkhouse is a functional building with not a lot of potential. This setting shows a sense of reality as it provides only the bare minimum to the ranch workers as if they do not deserve anything more. There are ‘eight bunks’ in the bunkhouse, with each one having ‘two shelves for personal belongings’, showing they don’t have enough money for a lot of things for themselves. Steinbeck is showing as if the ranch workers are not as good as the rest of the people.Show MoreRelated John Steinbeck Essay1174 Words   |  5 PagesJohn Steinbeck A novelist is someone who writes novels, or writes a fancy work of fiction which often has a complicated plot, many major and minor characters, a significant theme, and several varied settings. A novelist will use literary devices such as characterization, tone, symbolism, imagery, and figurative language. John Steinbeck, an American novelist, uses many literary devices such as metaphors, similes, imagery, and figurative language along with excellent descriptive words to developRead MoreAmerica Is Home To Many Great Writers Whom Come Different1709 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica is home to many great writers whom come different backgrounds. 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