Hi my name is Seda. Im really nervous about my exams and i've written a example essay. I got the question from the cgp guide. The question is for Question 'b' for OF MICE AND MEN! PLEASE mark it and give me a grade/mark!! i appreciate it lots xx
oh by the way the essay is 2 sides and a bit when written on paper
Question:Of mice and men starts and ends outside by a pool. what do you think is the significance of this natural setting, compared tot the ranch where the rest of the story takes place.
Of mice and men is a novella written by John Steinbeck. Following the collapse of the New York Wall Street stock market in 1929, the US entered a prolonged period of economic depression from which it emerged only with the onset of the second world war in 1939. During this period of failed businesses, harsh living conditions and poverty, migrant workers had no choice but to travel to destinations providing hope- also known as the American Dream. Their hopes are portrayed in the positive opening of the book however negativity is portrayed in the ending of the novella implying that the hopes had been shattered.
The description of the start of the novella creates an idyllic image due to the 'golden foothill slopes' and the hillside bank running 'deep and green'. This creates a perfect imagine in the mind of the reader where all animals live in harmony with no disruptions. Through this first description, Steinbeck creates an image of the garden Eden. This implies that nature was in its perfect state before the entrance of man. Therefore any disturbance to nature is due to the interference of humans. This would imply that actions of an individual can destroy anything - even perfection (presented by the reference to the garden of Eden). It foreshadows the negative impact Lennie, Candy, Crooks, Curley's wife may have on society. It also foreshadows the cruelty people may have faced and it is based on the survival of the fittest.
As well as the environment contradicting the lives of the ranch workers, it contradicts the environment where ranch workers stay with the 'white-washed' walls and 'sack of straws' used as beds. This suggests the the paradise at the opening of the novella is not welcoming and it is not a healthy environment for dreamers like George and Lennie due to the ranch workers never experiencing such a good environment again.
Due to the 'flow of the river' implying the flow of life, leaves the readers optimistic about how the novella flows and how the lives of ranch workers will 'follow and continue'. The presence of 'sunlight' also adds to the optimistic feeling and provides hope at the start of the chapter. Steinbeck may have presented false hope to the reader to portray a moral of always thinking twice before taking a step. Lennie and George straight away jumped at the thought of the American Dream without thinking about the consequences or the reality.
In contrast, the end of the novella leaves the reader pessimistic as the 'sun had left the valley'. This personification emphasis the hope that has gone and emphasis the failure of George and Lennie. This is also presented in the ranch with the windows being 'small and square'. This reflects the limited opportunities available as well as the minimum chances the occupants have to escape and achieve their dreams. Furthermore the parallel lines of the side of square windows could suggest that no matter how much hope one has, life is a continuous journey with no chances to meet dreams.
To conclude, with the usage of natural imagery as well as the setting of the ranch, it implies that life is full of false hopes.The natural imagery contradicts actual lives of the ranch workers and where they live. This may have been done by Steinbeck to portray the unrealistic and futile nature of the American Dream and the insignificance of friendship and effort.