Summary George and Lennie: Of Mice and Men- full essay plan and SAMPLE EXEMPLAR ESSAY
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Course
English
Institution
GCSE
This document includes an essay plan on 'Was George responsible for the death of Lennie?' 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 and...
Was George responsible for the death of Lennie in ‘Of Mice and Men’?
Intro:
Strong relationship between George and Lennie shown through themes such
as hopes, dreams and friendship
Lennie’s death predicted through foreshadowing and pathetic fallacy
Hopelessness placed in context by the poem which it is based upon, as well as
the hopeless setting of the great depression and its realistic portrayal.
Cyclical structure and imagery that Steinbeck implies that George is at fault
for Lennie’s death whilst simultaneously suggesting the inevitability of his
death.
Agree Disagree
Lennie is violent despite repetitively stating he didn’t George may simply be afraid Lennie will
“mean no harm.”- ignores George’s authority so is a “accidentally”- as he was aware of how
danger and is manipulative – gradually escalating temperamental he could be
levels of violence- George is justified- actions aimed Events of Weed and his manipulative
towards the greater good. nature, “craftily” and George, “nervously.
” So, George killed Lennie as he was a
burden –selfish motive
George is very loyal to Lennie- repetition of the theme
of dreams- “I bet we could swing her,” “reverently.”
Cyclical structure shows the dream is destined to fail-
so in killing Lennie George loses it all.
Friendship shown through antimtabole, “because I
got you and you got me.”
Didn’t kill him maliciously, “hand shook violently.”-
ensures a peaceful death-otherwise killed by Curley
or placed in a mental asylum.
Foreshadows Lennie’s death- inevitable- setting, “the Cyclical structure- events of Weed show
path was beaten.” Animal imagery- “Somebody’d that George could have aided Lennie in
shoot you for a coyote,” and “ yammered”- escaping Weed that they could have
emphasizes that Lennie will meet a miserable and escaped once more.
painful end. Shows George’s intentions weren’t
Carlson’s gun-plot device that foreshadows violence. aimed towaeds sparing Lennie’s life- so
Death of Carlson’s dog compared to Lennie- e.g. not entirely loyal to Lennie .
relationship between George and Lennie- “like a
terrier to its master.”- characterizes friendship and
predicts his death.
George was highly reluctant to kill Lennie- “violently.”
Pathetic fallacy- light and dark motif- before various George sees Lennie as a burden, “eyes
incidents on the ranch- “light climbed out of the were red with sun glare.” Coupled with
valley”- personification- inanimate forces bringing “angrily”- he was tired of travelling from
darkness. place to place with Lennie so took this
“The sky was bluer”- ideas of fanciful and impractical opportunity to kill Lennie.
nature- dream destined to fail from outset- George is
brave in killing Lennie- spares him from a worse
death.
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