5.1.4

Sound

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Steinbeck's Description of Sound

As well as lots of visual description, Steinbeck also includes detailed descriptions of sound. This is a technique which is sometimes called auditory description.

Background sounds

Background sounds

  • Sometimes Steinbeck describes the various background sounds.
  • This adds an extra dimension to the setting descriptions, helping the reader to clearly imagine the scene: “There was a clang of horseshoe on iron stake outside and a little cheer of voices.” (Section 3).
Silence

Silence

  • During tense moments, Steinbeck makes repeated references to silence.
  • This creates an awkward and suspenseful atmosphere because we associate silence with awkwardness and tension: “The silence came into the room. And the silence lasted.” (Section 3).
Creating panic

Creating panic

  • During the final scene of the novel, Steinbeck describes the sound of the men closing in on George and Lennie.
  • As the sounds get louder, the sense of urgency and panic grows: “And the shouts of men sounded again, this time much closer than before.” (Section 6).
Jump to other topics
1

Context & Overview

1.1

Context & Overview

1.1.1The Great Depression1.1.2Racism1.1.3The American Dream1.1.4Of Mice & Men
1.2

John Steinbeck

1.2.1John Steinbeck's Life1.2.2End of Topic Test - Context & Overview
2

Plot

2.1

Section 1 - Analysis

2.1.1Section 1 - Plot2.1.2Section 1 - Overview
2.2

Section 2 - Analysis

2.2.1Section 2 - Plot2.2.2Section 2 - Overview
2.3

Section 3 - Analysis

2.3.1Section 3 - Plot2.3.2Section 3 - Overview2.3.3End of Topic Test - Sections 1-3
2.4

Section 4 - Analysis

2.4.1Section 4 - Plot2.4.2Section 4 - Overview
2.5

Section 5 - Analysis

2.5.1Section 5 - Plot2.5.2Section 5 - Overview
2.6

Section 6 - Analysis

2.6.1Section 6 - Plot2.6.2Section 6 - Overview2.6.3End of Topic Test - Sections 4-6
3

Key Characters

3.1

Main Characters

3.1.1George3.1.2Lennie - Strength3.1.3Lennie - Innocence & Dependence3.1.4Slim3.1.5Curley3.1.6Curley's Wife - Flirtatious3.1.7Curley's Wife - Lonely & Heartbroken3.1.8Crooks3.1.9Candy3.1.10End of Topic Test - George & Lennie3.1.11End of Topic Test - Slim, Curley & Curley's Wife
3.2

Minor Characters

3.2.1Minor Characters3.2.2End of Topic Test - Crooks, Candy & Others
4

Themes

4.1

Key Themes

4.1.1Hopes, Dreams & Reality4.1.2Racial Prejudice4.1.3Loneliness & Companionship4.1.4The Weak & Strong4.1.5Women4.1.6End of Topic Test - Key Themes
5

Authorial Method

5.1

Writing Techniques

5.1.1Dialogue5.1.2Imagery5.1.3Light5.1.4Sound5.1.5Symbolism5.1.6Structure5.1.7End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Quotes per Section

6.1.1Section 1 - Quotations6.1.2Section 2 - Quotations6.1.3Section 3 - Quotations6.1.4Section 4 - Quotations6.1.5Section 5 - Quotations6.1.6Section 6 - Quotations
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Imagery - Quotations6.2.2Light - Quotations6.2.3Sound - Quotations6.2.4Symbolism - Quotations

Practice questions on Sound

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  1. 1
    What does sound add to the setting descriptions?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What does Steinbeck make repeated references to in tense moments?Multiple choice
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Light

Symbolism