Section 1 - Overview

Test yourself

Section 1 Overview

In analysing Section 1, Steinbeck begins to hint towards Lennie's mental disability and George's protection of him.

Setting the scene

The peaceful setting creates a tranquil atmosphere, and the area seems to be like a kind of sanctuary for the two main characters.
This becomes significant when the scene is revisited at the end of the novel.

George protecting Lennie

The way the two men walk, with George leading and Lennie following, reveals that George is the leader in this relationship. The description of the way Lennie gulps water from the unclean pool is one of the first clues that he has a mental disability.
Later, when George tells Lennie not to say anything, Steinbeck shows that George is worried the Lennie will get them into trouble, ruining George’s plans.

Lennie's strength

The fact that the mouse has died, presumably because of how Lennie has been petting it, is one of the first indications of his strength, and the fact that he might not be aware of just how strong he is.
George making him throw the dead mouse away shows that he acts almost like a parent to Lennie.

Lennie and the mouse

We learn that Lennie’s enjoyment of stroking soft things, first highlighted with the mouse incident, extends to women. This foreshadows (gives clues about) future trouble.

The American Dream

The farm that the two men aspire to own is George and Lennie’s American Dream, while the fact that they imagine their future together shows how significant their friendship is.

Atmosphere created by the end of the section

Despite the positive end to this section of the novel, George’s suggestion that Lennie could get them into serious trouble because of his mental disability creates a tense atmosphere.

1Context & Overview

1.1Context & Overview

1.1.1The Great Depression

1.1.2Racism

1.1.3The American Dream

1.1.4Of Mice & Men

1.2John Steinbeck

1.2.1John Steinbeck's Life

1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & Overview

2Plot

2.1Section 1 - Analysis

2.1.1Section 1 - Plot

2.1.2Section 1 - Overview

2.2Section 2 - Analysis

2.2.1Section 2 - Plot

2.2.2Section 2 - Overview

2.3Section 3 - Analysis

2.3.1Section 3 - Plot

2.3.2Section 3 - Overview

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Sections 1-3

2.4Section 4 - Analysis

2.4.1Section 4 - Plot

2.4.2Section 4 - Overview

2.5Section 5 - Analysis

2.5.1Section 5 - Plot

2.5.2Section 5 - Overview

2.6Section 6 - Analysis

2.6.1Section 6 - Plot

2.6.2Section 6 - Overview

2.6.3End of Topic Test - Sections 4-6

3Key Characters

3.1Main Characters

3.1.1George

3.1.2Lennie - Strength

3.1.3Lennie - Innocence & Dependence

3.1.4Slim

3.1.5Curley

3.1.6Curley's Wife - Flirtatious

3.1.7Curley's Wife - Lonely & Heartbroken

3.1.8Crooks

3.1.9Candy

3.1.10End of Topic Test - George & Lennie

3.1.11End of Topic Test - Slim, Curley & Curley's Wife

3.2Minor Characters

3.2.1Minor Characters

3.2.2End of Topic Test - Crooks, Candy & Others

4Themes

4.1Key Themes

4.1.1Hopes, Dreams & Reality

4.1.2Racial Prejudice

4.1.3Loneliness & Companionship

4.1.4The Weak & Strong

4.1.5Women

4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes

5Authorial Method

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Dialogue

5.1.2Imagery

5.1.3Light

5.1.4Sound

5.1.5Symbolism

5.1.6Structure

5.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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