5.1.4
Sound
Steinbeck's Description of Sound
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).
1Context & Overview
1.1Context & Overview
2Plot
2.1Section 1 - Analysis
2.2Section 2 - Analysis
2.3Section 3 - Analysis
2.4Section 4 - Analysis
2.5Section 5 - Analysis
2.6Section 6 - Analysis
3Key Characters
3.1Main Characters
3.2Minor Characters
4Themes
5Authorial Method
Jump to other topics
1Context & Overview
1.1Context & Overview
2Plot
2.1Section 1 - Analysis
2.2Section 2 - Analysis
2.3Section 3 - Analysis
2.4Section 4 - Analysis
2.5Section 5 - Analysis
2.6Section 6 - Analysis
3Key Characters
3.1Main Characters
3.2Minor Characters
4Themes
5Authorial Method
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