John Steinbeck is perhaps referred to the worlds most thought provoking writer in history. This infamous book Of mice and men took Steinbeck three years to finally complete, and within good reason although the book is an easy read reading what is in black and white isn’t going to tell you the full story. Reading this book will take imagination and an open mind because every word of it has one meaning or another, every word, every character, every name and even every place has an in depth meaning.
Aside from that this Essay will focus on the main relationship between George Milton and lennie (the main characters) small and what kind of bond they have therefore what makes them special. Lennie Small is first introduced on page four as well as George Milton this is Lennie’s opening description. ” Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large pale eyes, with wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws” now this may not seem much to you but if we look between the lines we can see there is a very detailed description.
First of all his name “ Lennie Small is very ironic because his names lennie Small Which he isn’t at all because he is describes as a giant. Secondly he has a shapeless face (this is a baby reference because when babies are born they are shapeless of face) Thirdly it explains three things pale eyes, wide sloping shoulders and dragging his feet. (These all are baby/child references again. Lastly the last comparison Steinbeck makes is about a bear’s paw and his hand. Taking all this things into consideration we can start to picture what Lennie looks and acts like a grown man with perhaps a specific disability or even very child like.
George Milton is also introduced on the fourth page this his opening description, (The first man was small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, and a thin and bony nose every part of him was defined. ) This was also a detailed explanation, firstly starting with his name George Meaning (everyman) as well as getting into his details what really struck me was his restless eyes, this usually happens when a mother is looking after a child so maybe there is some relation between them.
It also seems like George is the leader of the two. Continuing on in the story we finally realise that they are both workers looking for a new job since they were fired fro there previous one. We also learn that Lennie has some sort of disability throughout the whole story it is not mentioned what disability he has it is quiet obvious. The relationship between them is very strong in which words cannot describe.
It is like a brother sister relationship you have fights you shout at each other but in the end you always make up and love each other, I believe this is exactly what George and Lennie’s bond is like. In conclusion I think that this is one of the best novels to read out there. Remember that you will need to read between the lines and even if you read it go back over it and I can guarantee you will find something new. I also believe that George and Lennie’s has a very strong relationship in which the reader needs to felt it which is probably why Steinbeck himself didn’t mention a word about it.
