Critical Response: of Mice and Men

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CRITICAL RESPONSE: Of Mice and Men In John Steinbeck's novella Of Mice and Men, he explores the rewards and challenges of relationships by using characters and the world as a basis to form this idea that everything has a hardship in life, even the strongest of bonds. Steinbeck uses the concepts of rewards, challenges, loneliness and companionship, marginalisation, strength and weakness and the impossibility of the American Dream to convey his message to the reader. Steinbeck uses the character Candy and his companion his dog to show the benefits of having a relationship. Using emotive diction and exclamation Steinbeck successfully shows how well a relationship can be between a human and any creature. "Well-hell! I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him " He said proudly. "You wouldn't think it to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I have ever seen." As a reader, the individual can see how highly the character commends his dog. Also through the text the reader can see how Candy relies on his dog. They both need each other. Candy needed his dog to get jobs on a cattle farm as he could herd animals and his dog needed an owner in his older age. Candy also has a strong yet short relationship with George and Lennie. "I'd make a will an' leave my share to you guys in case I kick off, cause' I ain't got no relatives nor nothing." Steinbeck shows how willing Candy is to his word by using inclusive tone. Candy shows a sense of compassion towards George and Lennie as he is giving two strangers his life's savings when he passes away. Through the text Steinbeck shows this as an example an individual can face in life. Throughout the text Steinbeck shows the challenges of a relationship through the characters Curley and his wife. Using characterisation Steinbeck shows this through his text. Curley uses his wife as a possession

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