Symbolism

Steinbecks Use of Symbolism

Symbolism is when a writer uses characters, objects or, in the case of Of Mice and Men, animals, to represent deeper meanings.

Rabbits

Lennie dreams of being able to one day “tend the rabbits”. The rabbits symbolise Lennie’s childlike innocence, because he loves them for their soft, fluffy fur.
They also symbolise hope: specifically Lennie’s hope for a better life one day.

Dream farm

Another symbol of hope is the dream farm that George and Lennie often talk about, pictured as an idyllic place where they can “live off the fatta the lan’”.
This symbol of hope is so powerful that Candy and, for a time, Crooks are also drawn into it.
When Lennie kills Curley’s wife, all hope is gone, hence George’s admission that he “knowed we’d never do her.” (George, Section 5).

The pool by the Salinas River

The “narrow pool” (Section 1) by the Salinas River is a symbol of sanctuary and security. It is described as a “pleasant” (Section 6) environment and, to Lennie, represents safety as this is where George has told him to hide if he ever gets into trouble.

Candy's dog

Companionship:
- Candy has had the dog “since he was a pup” (Candy, Section 2), and therefore keeps him from feeling lonely and isolated.
Weakness:
- Secondly, the dog symbolises what happens to the weak and helpless in society: Carlson decides the dog is of no use anymore, and so decides “to take him out and shoot him right in the back of the head” (Carlson, Section 2).
- This event mirrors what happens to Lennie later on, and both Candy’s dog and Lennie can be seen as innocent, powerless and doomed.

Archetypes

Some characters are archetypes. Meaning that they symbolise a particular group of people in society.
- Lennie symbolises those who are mistreated because of mental disabilities.
- Crooks is symbolic of people who are discriminated against because of their race: “They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black.” (Crooks, Section 4).
- Curley’s wife is symbolic of women who are oppressed by sexism: “I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely.” (Curley’s wife, Section 5).

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

Jump to other topics