This document includes an essay plan on the theme of loneliness and unhappiness on the ranch in 'Of Mice and Men', this and other essays I wrote formed the basis of my GCSE study notes that helped me to achieve an A* in English Literature. The document includes detailed essay plan including quotes ...
- Discuss themes which cause this unhappiness such as loneliness
- Unhappiness is accentuated by the setting of the Great Depression and
discuss burdens which caused such and how they led to lack of identity and
sad, lonely existence.
- Imagery and cyclical structure imply an unfulfilled and futile way of life.
- Counter-argue- friendship and hope suggests there is some comfort to be
held in life upon the ranch.
Agree Disagree
Destruction of dreams – Curley’s wife- The fact that she clings to her dream
“a guy tol’ me he could put me in the shows that a sense of hope can still be
pitchers...”- use of ellipsis creates a achieved
nostalgic tone.
Tense atmosphere- adverbs- “sourly,” Use of adverbs which suggest
“sullenly” and “contemptuously”- glimmers of happiness- “amusedly.”
clear anger and lack of trust. Discuss themes of friendship.
Suppression of unhappiness and
emotion causes this tension- Curley’s
wife- “face was heavily made up.”
Competitive nature- “scared the rest
is going to get something on them.”
Curley’s wife symbol of unhappiness- Contrasted by her use of adverbs such
“sullenly” and use of rhetorical as “joyfully” which suggest that there
questions “Think I don’t like to talk to is still some happiness to be found
someone once in a while.” Bitter” within her life.
marriage- “as though she had been
running...” “Swell guy, ain’t he?” “I’m
glad you bust Curley up... I’d like to
bust him myself.”
Loneliness- “Soledad.” Lack of Antimetabole- theme of friendship,
identity of Crooks, Curley’s wife- seen “because I got you and you got me.”
as possession-, & Candy. Themes of
discrimination and marginalisation.
Lack of identity- setting of bunkhouse- Warmth and source of comfort seen
“walls were whitewashed” and through “iron stove.” “Playing cards”-
“small, square windows.” “Two shows themes of friendship and
shelves” to store all of the men’s comradery amongst the men on the
possessions.” ranch.
Cyclical structure- futility of their lives- Idea of owning “a little piece of land”
Crooks- “rubbing his back” with a and “livin’ off the fatta the lan’”-
“bottle of liniment.” Downfall of the provides temporary comfort to the
dream shown through the use of this men on the ranch despite its downfall
structure and Crooks states, “Every causing devastation.
damn one of ‘em’s got a little piece of
land in his head...An’ never a God
damn one of ‘em gets it.” Reinforced
by death of Candy’s dog.
Pathetic fallacy- light and dark motif- Element of hope provided even after
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