Of Mice and Men Chapter 2 Analysis Please

Of Mice and Men Chapter 2 Analysis (Please take notes on the analysis)

Harsh & Cruel Nature of the World � Few comforts-sleep on rough, burlap mattresses, don’t own anything that cannot fit into an apple box, fear of lice and roaches infesting the bunk � Symbolism-the world they live in considers the weak unworthy of protection � Ranch-hand’s world-only the strong survive � Slim-drowns 4 of his 9 puppies makes it clear that there is little room for tolerance for the weak � The ranch represents a society that doesn’t consider the welfare of its weakest member. � Those who hold power use it irresponsibly.

Curley � Embodies authority on the ranch � Represents the vicious belligerent way in which social power tends to manifest itself. � He is a foil-a character whose emotions and actions sharply contrast the other characters. � Plagued by self-doubt which causes him to explode violently � Curley’s strength depends on his ability to dominate and defeat those weaker then him.

Relationships �George and Lennie-feel Curley’s threatening presence and stick closer together than usual. �Friendship is rare but impressive. �Slim’s theory- men don’t travel around together because everyone is scared of everyone else-he appreciates the relationships b/w G. & L. �Want to live peaceful, untroubled lives in the company of other men

Females � Curley’s wife-nameless � Socially disempowered � Derogatorily assigns women only lowly functions-caretakers (Aunt Clara) and sex objects � Novel dismisses women altogether from paradise. � Females-trap to ensnare men � In the vision of the perfect farm-G. & L. NEVER mention women or wives. � Women portrayed as a temptation leading man away from his vision of percetion.