'Power in of Mice and Men Essay\r'

'The theme of billet is prevalent end-to-end the novel Of Mice and Men. Steinbeck uses different methods and techniques to ca-ca the dynamics of proponent on the feast. In the first pull, George and Lennie are in the brush and we get in a strong ace of George’s agnatic control e reallyplace Lennie, nevertheless it also shows how Lennie’s physical peak gives him a degree of provide e really(prenominal)(prenominal)where George. In sublimate two we meet Curley for the first time, and his federal agency everywhere the ranch progress toers is clearly asserted through the various ways in which Steinbeck describes him. And finally, in cite three, we enchant the first fend for of the novel. The force is very versatile in how it de air travelates power. At different stages in the fight some people have more authority over some differents and we see how the movementers feel more si mody together as opposed to individually.\r\nIn this extract the â €˜hierarchy’ of power on the ranch is very shaken up. cite one focuses on George and Lennie’s relationship. charge from the onset words such as ‘’timidly’’, ‘’softly’’, and ‘’gently’’ help to establish the dynamics of their relationship. These words portray Lennie as a weak, almost fragile character in line of merc mittise to words such as ‘’jerked’’, ‘’scowled’’, and ‘’bastard’’ which portray George as impatient and annoyed, almost deal an aggravate parent. Steinbeck uses a multitude of exclamation marks to emphasize George’s frustration. Ellipses are also used end-to-end the extract to show how Lennie hesitates and stutters though his sentences.\r\nThis clearly shows that he is unable to recall information and is, at times, very nervous. This reiterates the fact that George holds the reins o f power in the relationship. It is significant, maybe, that Steinbeck describes George as a ‘’ teensy-weensy man’’. It points out that physical stature does not equate power in this relationship. If this was not true the tables would be turned as Lennie towers over George, which is why it is strange that he is so dependent on George. This really shows how Lennie is less all-powerful. Lennie’s surface disability give ways him vulnerable because he is unable to carry on information. This is shown through Lennie’s very simple wording. â€Å"..But it didn’t do no good”\r\nSteinbeck also uses many a(prenominal) question marks to show how Lennie is constantly intercommunicate questions and therefore constantly seeking guidance from George, and over again, that’s what gives George the edge over Lennie. When discussion moves to the bus tickets and work cards Lennie realises that he doesn’t have his. â€Å"He loo ked down at the ground in despair” which shows that he is ashamed and perhaps a little frightened of George’s reply, but Steinbeck then goes on to say that George took responsibility for twain of the work cards, shrewd that Lennie could not be trusted. This, again, demonstrates the balance of power and shows that both George and Lennie are aware of how much power the other possesses. After looking for his work card in his pocket, Lennie take out a swipe to which George replies sharply. â€Å"What’d you take outta that pocket?”\r\nGeorge’s tone is accusatory which shows that he is astute. He then continues to bombard Lennie with questions, which gives Lennie the risk to demonstrate another type of power †his cunning. He attempts to deceive George. â€Å"Ain’t a topic in my pocket”\r\nAlthough childlike, this sentence shows that Lennie’s musical theme is able to melt offk of plans. How would he keep the mouse? By a ttempting to deceive George. Eventually, George’s patience ruins thin and he exclaims â€Å"Give it here!” shouting at Lennie like a parent. Throughout the extract George issues a multitude of orders to Lennie. â€Å"You ain’t gonna say a word”, â€Å"We’re gonna work”, â€Å"You jus’ stand there”. These commands show just how pliable Lennie is and how George uses his power to make Lennie comply. George also uses idle nemesiss to manipulate Lennie.\r\nâ€Å"…if I didn’t have you on my tail”.\r\nThis, again, shows George’s parental control over Lennie and goes hand in hand with his use of the dream to make Lennie work. Just as a child would get no presents at Christmas, Lennie would not be allowed to tend the rabbits if he stairs out of line. But, as much as George chastises Lennie, he does give him appropriate encouragement. â€Å"Good boy. That’s swell.”\r\nExtract two focuses on Curl ey. When he enters the bunkhouse his authority over the ranch workers becomes very apparent. Steinbeck says that â€Å"he wore a work glove” and â€Å"he wore high-heeled boots”. The simple fact that Curley has to wear sealed items of clothing suggests that his authority is somewhat artificial as opposed to Slim, whose power comes naturally. It is important to abide by how Curley’s body language changes when he notices the new men. He â€Å" seed coldly”, â€Å"his hands closed into fists” and â€Å"his glance was at once calculating and pugnacious”. This pleasing of body language is very aggressive and he uses it to dominate the men. â€Å"Lennie squirmed under the look and shifted nervously on his feet” which shows that Curley’s power is very obvious and he continues to assert his power by invading Lennie’s personal space and speaking to him with a very brusque tone. Curley is quick to confront Lennie, as he feels like Lennie will be a threat dure to his size. â€Å"Let the big guy talk.”\r\nLennie is unsure of how to reply to this and â€Å"twisted with embarrassment” which shows just how debilitated he is. As usual, George stands up for him and challenges Curley’s power. George has a very monosyllabic tone of voice when speaking to Curley which shows that he does not feel the need to elaborate and is perhaps universeness defiant. â€Å"Yeah, it’s that way.”\r\nLennie looks helplessly to George for instruction when prone the chance to talk which again demonstrates George’s power over him. Eventually, when Lennie does speak, he speaks â€Å"softly” which suggests a privation of power and perhaps a degree of uncertainty. Curley starts to get aggressive with Lennie, but the anger is totally unprovoked. Even sweeten is wary of Curley’s power and â€Å"looked carefully at the door to make sure no one was listening” before tellin g George that Curley is the oldtimer’s son and that he is â€Å"pretty proficient”. In this role, authority is implicit and Curley evidently has a lot of physical power if he is being described as â€Å"handy” by the other ranch workers. This is important to note in extract three when Lennie and Curley have a fight. At the germ of extract three, Curley feels his power is being threatened by Carlson. He uses very authorial body language to regain this power but it is in venous blood vessel as the ranch workers feel comfortable stand up up for themselves when they are together.\r\nCarlson lectures Curley on how he isn’t as powerful as he likes to think. glaze over â€Å"joined [Carlson’s attack] with joy” and this is far from how Candy was acting at the end of extract two. Again, the ranch workers feel safer in large groups. Perhaps Curley decides to fight Lennie because he wants to demonstrate his strength and feels that Lennie is the w eakest of the workers, therefore, the easiest to fight. Curley â€Å"stepped over to Lennie like a terrier”. Here Steinbeck, yet again, uses a simile to describe the invasion of Lennie’s personal space. â€Å" wherefore Curley’s rage exploded” and he uses a lot of expletives to provoke Lennie.\r\nThis can be compared to George’s language and how he curses at Lennie calling him a â€Å"big bastard”. Perhaps Curley’s reaction is so vicious because he is afraid of being humiliated in front of the workers. â€Å"Lennie looked helplessly at George” which shows that he is weak, but more so vulnerable. as yet again, he looks to George for direction. At first, Lennie doesn’t fight adventure because he knows that if he gets himself into trouble he win’t be allowed to tend the rabbits, although when Curley starts getting very violent George encourages Lennie to fight back. â€Å"Get him, Lennie. Don’t let him do it.”\r\nThe fact that Lennie has to be told by George to protect himself shows just how much leadership George has when it comes to Lennie. The line â€Å"I said get him” also emphasises George’s control. Lennie, however, redeems himself and crushes Curley’s hand. Lennie is so adamant to do what George has told him to do that he stills holds on to Curley’s fist til now though George is slapping him and telling him to stop.\r\nâ€Å"George slapped him in the face again and again, and still Lennie held on to the closed fist.” In conclusion, I think it is difficult to define the most powerful man on the ranch as Steinbeck presents so many different types of power; innate, physical, implicit, parental etcetera Throughout all three of the extracts the balance of power shifts frequently, but authority is always evident. Steinbeck shows it very cleverly and subtly, almost manipulating the reader to anticipate certain reactions from certain chara cters which is why I find these extracts so amiable to read.\r\n'