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Style in "Of Mice and Men­­"



Questions about style:

 

Questions provided by the AWC (https://www.englishschoolcourses.com/courses/)
  • What kind of language is used throughout the work? Formal, informal?
The language used is a mix of both.  The narration is mostly formal and the dialogue is informal.  The language still remains quite simple and if the subject matter wasn't so dark, it could probably be a children's book.
  • What kind of figurative devices– simile, metaphor or personification – are used in the story?
Similes and metaphors are used in descriptions, but figurative language is not an important characteristic of Steinbeck's style.  A big part of his style is vivid descriptions.  These create an immersive experience.
  • Does the story include imagery or symbols?
Yes, although there is not a lot of imagery, symbolism is a big part of the novel. The biggest is the rabbits.  The rabbits are a part of George and Lenny's dream, and for the latter, the only part that matters.  These rabbits are a symbol of disillusionment.  In their dream, Lenny would get to tend the rabbits, but of course, if they were to get their farm, he wouldn't be able to take care of them properly.  Lenny is delusional when it comes to the rabbit.  This is shown when he asks George if they can have green and blue ones.  The concept of disillusionment is personified in George; he talks about the dream often and feeds into Lenny's delusion.  He acts as if the dream is only for Lenny's benefit, but when he realizes it's not impossible, he is just as excited as his friend.   He should be rational enough to realize it's not realistic, but he doesn't.
  • How does the language affect the mood or atmosphere of the work?
The language creates a sincere, touching tone.  Thanks to Steinbeck's language, the novel feels genuine, not pretentious or useless, but meaningful, like it's a story worth telling.

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