What is the theme in Of Mice and Men? Please dont give answers like "read the damn book" because i already did. I just cant figure it out....Please explain things about the theme stuff. Thanks :D
2007-02-26 08:19:11 · 5 answers · asked by anabellavynsky 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
"An' live off the fatta the lan', an' have rabbits, George!"
It's a great book and one of Steinbeck's masterpieces.
In my opinion, the ending is where the key to whole story is. I see it as a poignant demonstration of absolute altruism on George's part towards Lennie, his doomed, simple-minded friend.
2007-02-26 09:10:13 · answer #1 · answered by Kikkaz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has been a while since I read Of Mice and Men..but it seems to me the overall theme in the book is compassion, innocence and empathy.
George loves Lenny even though Lenny is not what society considers "all there". George protects Lenny from the people who would wish to do him harm by virtue of the fact he is different. At the end, George spares Lenny from jail by doing the only thing he can think of that will keep Lenny "safe" he sends him to heaven..to be with the rabbits. If Lenny were to go to jail, George knows he would be tormented and teased beyond all hope. He is also aware of Lenny's vast strength and that if Lenny were to be pushed to far he may kill someone by accident again if George was not there to watch him every second of every day. George is also weary of his burden of caring for Lenny and sees his ultimate act as a release not just for Lenny, but for them both. What happens to George after he pulls the trigger? Does he then turn the gun on himself? We never do find out, do we?
George has enough love and compassion for his friend to keep him from the indignities, confusion, and cruelty he knows Lenny would undoubtably face in prison without George there to protect him. It is out of compassion, empathy, and love that George does what he does. Lenny's innocence, George feels, should remain intact and should not be tainted by the horrors of the world and man's law. He returns his friend to heaven so the only law Lenny will have to face is God's law.
Hope that helps.
2007-02-26 08:47:46 · answer #2 · answered by tigerlily01ca 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
themes - lonliness & dreams
most of the men that work on ranches are lonley but not george n lennie cuz they got each other
Dreams every1s got dreams - george n lennies are to have land n animals
prejudice n racism is highlighted when crooks is excluded from most things e.g the bunk house
2007-02-26 08:28:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the overall theme of the book is the prejudice and injustice that a mentally handicapped person has to endure.
2007-02-26 08:24:47 · answer #4 · answered by Mel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
friendship, codependance, handicapped hardship? I don't know I read it 10 years ago....try one of these
2007-02-26 08:27:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋