Dialogue

Steinbeck's Use of Dialogue

Dialogue is when characters are speaking directly to each other. There are large sections of the novel which are comprised almost entirely of dialogue between characters.

Purpose of dialogue

The use of dialogue gives a more realistic feel to the novel.
The characters communicate in a way that would have been typical of 1930s ranch workers, and this helps the reader to imagine the scene more clearly.

Choice of language

Steinbeck carefully chooses the words that each character uses in order to reveal aspects of their personalities. This helps the reader to understand, and empathise with, the characters more easily.

Phonetic spelling

Steinbeck uses phonetic spelling as a technique to create realistic dialogue.
Phonetic spelling is when words are spelt how they sound in the accent of the speaker.
- For example, Steinbeck often uses “an’” for ‘and’ and “jes’” for ‘just’.
This allows us to read the dialogue in the voices of the characters.

Slang

Steinbeck also often uses slang.
Slang, which refers to commonly used, normally informal, words.
- For example, in the novel, Steinbeck refers to the local brothel as the “flop”.
Slang changes all the time, and it is therefore a useful way of placing the novel in a particular time period: the slang used in Of Mice and Men is typical of the 1930s.

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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