Compare the Opening and Closing Scenes in Of Mice and Men Essay

Of mice and men is a nifty novel written by baulk writer John Steinbeck. It is a sad report tease near the life of cardinal migrant cattle farm histrions George and Lennie, and the conflicts between the reality and their relationship and fantasy. The hypothesis and apogee word pictures ar both set in the same repoint Salinas River, however contributors crowd out sense in all different feelings from these two scenes. In this essay I am going to comp atomic number 18 the opening and block scenes of this novel focus on the sp atomic number 18-time activity points 1) the description of nature to chew up feelings, 2) The dialogue, and the expressive style George and Lennie speak to all(prenominal) opposite, to look for how George change towards Lennie, 3) The trance George and Lennie sh atomic number 18, to explore how Steinbeck protests a dischargest the reality.The opening scene in of Mice and Men is happy and peaceful compared to the closing scenes. Before t he en show of the two mown(prenominal) characters, Steinbeck stop consonants the audience involved by describing the idyllic tantrum the picturesque, colorful, peaceful and poetic regular(a)ing in Salinas River. He creates the pleasant atmosphere brilliantly by sensational words bid deep and thousand piss, yellow sand, golden foothill slopes, fresh and green quitows, mottled sycamores. Just kindred a strong warm visual effect colorful oil-painting, the Willow Pool in Salinas River vividly gratuity to us. It is besides a calm peaceful riverside, little creatures analogous lizard, rabbit, coon, dears, poor boy are freely and actively wondering on the riverside. The feeling of simpleness in a warm afternoon is evoked and emphasized in depicting. The water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands the withdraw froms full of life deep and so crisp that a lizard makes a enceinte skittering if he runs among them.This untainted beauty of the nature and the relaxed serenity atmosphere that Steinbeck wisely opens with t kiboshing toward the Romantic. It suggests a purity and perfection sensesense of purity to the reader that associates with the innocence of Lennie indicates the idealized liftership and the romanticized dream between George and Lennie. On the some other hand it protagonists to emphasize the changing atmosphere when two protagonists enter into the scene. By comparison to the same scene in the closing endingscene it mesmerisms about the in store(predicate) trouble and the calm before the storm. The setting is overly a attribute of a place free from society, a riskless sanctuary for Lennie and George, where they fuck be themselves. Thats why George chooses to let Lennie numerate back here when he meets trouble, and even Lennie is finally killed by George in mercy here, the Salinas River does keep Lennie safe from the torture of gentlemans gentleman killed curly.The description of the beautify also hel ps us to develop an understanding of the background of the enceinte depression. there is a path through the willows and among the sycamores, a path beaten grueling by boys., and beaten voiceless by tramps . the limb is worm strike by men who have sat on it. Boys working in the ranch swim here and tramps traveling pass here trying to get concern, use it as a rest area. It shows the background of great depression, people struggle with financial freedom, they had to drift into the country for jobs in the kingdom industry.The ending of the novel occurs at the exactly same place where the point started. The landscape is until now the same however they suggest a totally different feeling. Already the sun had left the valley by the kitten among the mottled sycamores, a pleasant shade had fallen. The sunset is normally symbolic the end of life, it is a subtle forebodingindication of the impending death of Lennie. The changing landscape in the coming evening is also described in the other three plots.All these plots are following by the description of the chasing people coming nearer. Steinbeck uses the description of setting as an important tool to convey that Lennies death is impending. Readers can also notice that the peaceful and untainted atmosphere is replaced by violent a heron ate a snake and waiting for another. The scene is not anymore slow and relaxed instead A far rush of scent sounded and a gust drove through the tops of the trees wish well a wave. Dry leaves scudded a few feet Things croak swift and dramatic they are signifying the turmoil George and Lennie have and are going to suffer.Apart from using the setting to underline the themes, Steinbeck is also accomplishedexcelled in using creatures and their imagery to dilate the themes and suggest the foreboding on what George and Lennie will suffer. In the opening chapter, as the human footsteps approached, the rabbits hurried noiselessly for cover the heron labored up and pound down rive r. For a moment the place was lifeless. Creatures like lizards, rabbits, herons, coons, deers are in possession of the peaceful land, however when human being invaded, we can suddenly sense the tension in this scene the dangers can lurkappear at e truly turn, weak creatures can become prey anytime. They are good indications of a predatory world that George and Lennie are in. In the closing chapter, Steinbeck reflects some animals in the first section. He vividly describes the cold, deliberate way a large heron killed a water snake.The unsuspected snake glided smoothly up the pool, it is totally unsuspecting that in the shallows there is a heron stood motionless waiting for it. A silent head and beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head, and the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically. decease of the helpless water snake comes so quickly, surely, and to the unaware. Normally, snake is a symbol of evil, however here it is uttercompletely helpless, and it is eaten by a heron, which is commonly regarded as a sign of goodness. This dramatic scene implies the helpless and unsuspecting Lennie who will be killed by his best friend -George, who is as cool as the heron (the situation laboured George to shoot Lennie quickly). George killed Lennie with mercy, because he socks at least(prenominal) Lennie will die with happiness and without fear like the unaware snake.In the opening chapter of Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck solidly sustained the character profile for George and Lennie, as healthy as their relationship. Apart from the description of their physical characteristics, Steinbeck achieves this heavy reliance on the great proportion of direct speech dialogue between George and Lennie. The spoken communication that George and Lennie use in their conversation is fairly simple and contains commonly used American slang like brang, would of, gonna, kinda for a sack, and so on This help to reflect the setting and their down-to-earth u neducated ranch workers lifestyle and make an authenticreal sense.The relationship between George and Lennie is understandably established right from the beginning of the book when George sternly warns Lennie to stop present water from the pool. Lennie, for Gods sake wear offt drink so much You gonna be sick like you w last night. you neer oughta drink water when it aint running. George said these astutely and hopelessly. Readers can soon perceivefeel that George is clearly a attracter and guardian who guides and protects Lennie. He looks out for Lennies safety and instructs him on what to do. He talks to Lennie in a patronizing but a care way. Whereas, Lennie is a big, half-wit, child-minded person, who is also sweet and loving. Thats good, he said. You drink some, George. You government issue a good big drink Look, George. Look what I through with(p) Just like an innocent child, Lennie enjoys the pure pleasure by tipsiness and playing the water, and his first thought is to share the pleasure with George.With the plot progression, we got clearer that George is a small but clever, level-headed man. He loves Lennie, takes care of Lennie, guides Lennie, and protects Lennie like a father. He looks after all Lennies affairs, even carrying Lennies work card for him. He also always bailsbail Lennie out of the trouble, or even potential trouble, as he knows Lennie can get himself into trouble very easily. George instructs Lennie Get into the brush till I come for you if Lennie gets into any trouble. Meanwhile, although George is Lennies mentorguardian, he also looks up to Lennies feeling, respects his bearing with understanding even though sometimes it findms odd.When George effectuate a exsanguine creep, he takes the dead mouse away from Lennie. This hurts Lennie feeling and he starts to whimper. George coiffe his hand on Lennies shoulder to comfort him. He did this for Lennies good. I aint takin it away jus for meanness. That mouse aint fresh.you ge t another mouse thats fresh and Ill let you keep it a while. He promises Lennie to give a pup for Lennie to favorite. First chance I get Ill give you a pup,Thatd be better than mice. And you could pet it ticklisher. He even plans a future with Lennie, ..were gonna get the trap together and were gonna have a little house and a couple of acres .George is also a short-tempered person, he ofttimes gets irritated, weary, forbid with the difficulties of his responsibility for taking care of Lennie, such as Lennies forgetfulness. When Lennie forgot where they are heading to, George swears and scolds in anger So you forgot that awready, did you? I gotta put you again, do I? Jesus Christ, youre a crazy darn The hell with the rabbits. Thats all you ever can remember is them rabbits. Of Mice and Men.K. straight you listen. The way George treat Lennie is just like the way an overtaxedfrustrated parent treats a little boy.Lennie asks for cetchup childishly during the dinner. This innocent asking sparklesparkles Georges frustration again. He exploded his voiced furiously, and rose nearly to a shout. He launches a eagle-eyed complaining speech about the difficulties that Lennie brought to him states that without caring for Lennie he can live a far easier life. In anger George declares If I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an work, an no trouble. No mess at all. On the other hand, despite Georges acetous, derogatory responses, Lennie never gets annoyed. Becausebecause Lennie looks up to George as an idol, he mimics action of Georges.He loves George and treats him as the most important person in his life. Each time when Lennie realizes he has through some occasion wrong, he always try to please George and quellcalm his anger, because he is afraid George will leave him. Lennie knelt and looked over the fire at the angry George. And Lennies face was worn-out with terror. George very softly I was only foolin, George. I dont want no ketchup. I wouldn t eat no ketchup if it was right here beside me. When George said if they got ketchup, Lennie can have some, Lennie said Id leave it all for youand I wouldnt touch no(prenominal) of it. He even suggests he can leave George alone and go live in a cave. Although Lennie is half-witted, he has enough sense to know that George loves him, so he plays with Georges guilty conscience, and sympathy for George to ask him to stay with him.As expected, George feels guilt to his friend as early as when he sees Lennies anguished face. I been mean, aint I? he said to Lennie I want you to stay with me, Lennie. Jesus Christ, somebodyd shoot you for a coyote if you was by yourself..Your Aunt Clara wouldnt like you running off by yourself,. George knows clearly without him his dim-witted friend Lennie cannot survive by his own. Also as a promise to Lennies Aunt, George feels responsible to look after Lennie.After Lennie is assured that George will not leave him, he pleads George to recite their famili ar dream. On the thought of their dream, Georges voice turns to deeper and rhythmically. It is very contagious, as a readerreaders we are immediately drawn in by the dream, which is just as beautiful as the landscape that Steinbeck describes in the open setting free and idyllic. Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world.They aint got nothing to look ahead to. With us it aint like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We dont have to..But not us.These important quotes further highlights to us that George is actually a royal, loving, devoted friend rather than father, brother or guidance. Because he is so willing to admit that he appreciates Lennies companionship, because he need Lennie emotionally, they rely on and look after each other. Also he knows it is the companionship and the limited strong shackle they share that set them unconnected from other homeless lonely ranch workers,their friendship make a stro ng support during the hardships and predicaments in the special era. Despite his annoyance, George stays with Lennie by a combination of the motivations of pity, responsibility and gets a company in the hard time. It is these facts that propelpush George to stay loyal to Lennie and devotes Lennie through thick and thin.In the closing chapter, readers can soon notice the way George and Lennie talk to each other changes. What the hell you yellin about?. When George sees Lennie again in the pool, he restrained swears, however it is his only way to talk. He turns a lot quieter this time. He is softer to Lennie, without scolding or blaming like before. When he repeats the life he yearns for followed by Lennies request, his tone is woodenly and monotonous, with no emphasis. By contrast, in the opening chapter, his long speech with same content was emotionally rich and lyrical. When George recounts the dream to Lennie again before he shoots Lennie, he struggles to wield his composure an d optimism, as at that moment his heart is in despair. as yet he did try to give Lennie a hope that their dream is achievable and will fulfill soon. Everbody gonna be nice to you. personalt gonna be no more trouble. Nobbody gonna hurt nobody nor eliminate from em. Look acrost the river, Lennie, an Ill tell you so you can almost see it. Right before George kills Lennie in mercy, George declares no, Lennie. I aint mad. I never been mad, an I aint now. Thats a thing I want ya to know. This is the finally words George talk to Lennie, in this fourth dimension we can sense how loving and devoted George is to his friend Lennie.Lennie talks to George with great sense of guilt and intense fear. As he knows he has done another very meritless thing. He is still unaware of the bad fate that facing him. What he is afraid of is George will disapprove and leave him this time. He knows every time when he causes trouble, George will complain about his burden, and threaten to leave him. He the n plays the trick again to gain sympathy and make sure George wont leave him. several(predicate) with before, this time George didnt get irritated, and assure Lennie that he wont leave. I knowed it Lennie cried. You aint that kind. Lennie still holds the childlike corporate trust that George will always be there for him. This assured faith relieves him a lot. Same as the opening in the novel, Lennie further requests George to repeat the dream again, because the dream gives both him and George comfort.George never wants Lennie to be hurt, but in the end he realizes that he is out of creams to protect Lennie, the death of Lennie is inevitableunavoidable. In order to protect Lennie from suffering tortures in a painful death. George is forced to shoot Lennie while Lennie is occupied with their shared dream of the farm, which is his favorite story and always soothes and comforts him. With the respect, love and responsibility towards Lennie, George has chosen the best option in the sit uation, and gives Lennie the best gift he can, the gift of peace, which can give birth Lennie from a hellish life in a forever asylum-dreadful life. one of the main themes in Of Mice and Men is American dreams. During the Great Depression the harsh realities make people lonely and ineffective and hopeless, to share a dream of a better place is the only outlet to comfort them and help to transcendfrom the troublesthey face. Steinbeck introduces this dream for George and Lennie in the very first chapter. With us it aint like that. We got a future.- Despite the hard and gruff reality, George is still an idealist and self-motivated man at the beginning of the novel. He believes through their hard working, his dream of live off the fatta the lan can be achievable , and there is something better up ahead, as he got Lennie. It is Lennie and their strong bond that keep them from the terrible isolation that the other men experience, and gives George a special sense of purpose to strive for . Their friendship sustains their dream and makes it possible.However, with a world filled with harsh adversity and predatorycircumstances, their relationship just cant simply sustain. George and Lennie are forced to separate tragically. By cleaning Lennie, George is also forced to shoot his dream, forced to surrender his faith of the landed estate of Promise. Without Lennie, George is now in loneness and hopelessness, just the same as anyone among the legion of poor, homeless, powerless migrant workers.The tragedy for them is, no matter how hard they work they are doomedfated to a life of wandering, no matter how intensely they dream, their dreams can only help transcend their circumstances, but no way to be fulfilled. The faded American dream in the closing chapter lamentably shows that a land of freedom, contentment, and safety is not possible to be found in this world, it is only an Eden-like place. Actually, at the end of the opening chapter, when Steinbeck deliberately wrot e on the rabbit with different colors which Lennie desired is already a hint of the unrealistic fantasy of George and Lennie.Through the comparison of the opening and ending scenes in Of Mice and Men, we can find that the settings are very important in these two parts, Steinbeck used them to help evoke different feelings and hint about the future troubles, as well as symbolize the main themes. Dialogues between George and Lennie are the main content of these two scenes, they help to characterize the main roles and establish and develop the main themes loneliness, friendship, and dream. Through these main themes Steinbeck portrayed the hardship that ranch workers like George and Lennie encountered during the heartbreaking Depression era. He has succeeded in describing the cruelty and unsurmountable -extremely difficult challenges during the Depression.