Of Mice and Men
English Language Exam
To be able Identify and Name
Steinbeck’s Techniques and
fully Explain how they
influence the reader
What techniques are you looking
for?
• Choice of words: specify - verbs, adjectives,
adverbs
• Similes, metaphors and personification
• Repetition
• Colour Imagery
• Appealing to the Senses
• Short sentences
• Symbolism – e.g. light and dark / red = danger etc.
• Contrasts and Parallels
• Use of Dialogue: Personal pronouns, curses, dialect,
exclamations, questions, pauses, imperatives
Identify the Technique
“On the sand banks the rabbits sat as quietly as
little grey sculptured stones.” (Section 1)
Simile
Steinbeck uses a simile to describe the rabbits as
sitting “as quietly as little grey sculptured stones”.
This helps to emphasise the stillness of the
landscape before the two men appear to disturb it.
Identify the Technique
‘"Lennie!" he said sharply. "Lennie, for God'
sakes don't drink so much.”’ (Section 1 – Geroge
to Lennie)
Exclamation
The use of Georges exclamation “Lennie!”
emphasises his frustration with Lennie at this
point.
Identify the Technique
‘“You never oughta drink water when it ain't
running, Lennie," he said hopelessly.’ (Section 1 –
George to Lennie)
Adverb
When George instructs Lennie about drinking the
water, we are told that he spoke “hopelessly”. This
adverb connotes the simplicity of Lennie’s
character, suggesting that George realises that
Lennie will never learn from such instructions.
Identify the Technique
‘"So you forgot that awready, did you? I gotta tell
you again, do I?’ (Section 1 – George to Lennie)
Use of questions
The use of questions in George's dialogue at this
point, for example, ‘"So you forgot that awready,
did you? I gotta tell you again, do I?’, reinforces his
frustration with Lennie, for needing constant
reminders.
Identify the Technique
‘“I remember that... but... what'd we do then? I
remember some girls come by and you says... you
says...“’ (Section 1 – Lennie to George)
Pause / ellipsis
The use of ellipsis in Lennie’s dialogue, “I remember
that... but... what'd we do then?” illustrates his
simplicity, as he struggles to remember the events
of weed.
Identify the Technique
‘A light of understanding broke on Lennie's face.
"They run us outa Weed," he exploded
triumphantly.’ (Section 1)
Powerful verb
When Lennie finally remembers what happened in
Weed, Steinbeck tells us that he “exploded
triumphantly”. The verb “exploded” is powerful in
demonstrating Lennie’s childish excitement at
getting something right.
Identify the Technique
“’We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives
a damn about us. We don't have to sit in no bar room…”’
(Section 1 – George to Lennie)
Repetition of personal pronoun
When describing the dream, Steinbeck fills George’s
dialogue with the pronoun “we”, for example, ‘“We got a
future. We got somebody to talk to”’ and ‘“We don't
have to sit…”’This repetition helps to reinforce the
friendship between the two men and their unusual
arrangement of travelling together.
Identify the Technique
‘"Hide till I come for you. Don't let nobody see you. Hide
in the brush by the river.”’ (Section 1 – George to Lennie)
Repetition / use of imperatives
Steinbeck often shows George repeating instructions to
Lennie, such as ‘"Hide till I come for you. Don't let nobody
see you. Hide in the brush by the river.”’ This helps to
reinforce his caring role, as he tries to help Lennie
overcome his simplicity. The imperative “Hide” further
emphasises George’s parental role in the relationship.
Identify the Technique
‘at his heels there walked a dragfooted sheepdog, grey of
muzzle, and with pale, blind old eyes.’ (Section 2 when
describing Candy’s dog)
Adjectives
Steinbeck uses several adjectives to describe Candy’s dog,
for example, “drag-footed”, “grey”, “pale”, “blind” and
“old”. There is a definite emphasis on the age of the dog,
suggesting that this is going to be a significant aspect of
its role in the novel.
Identify the Technique
‘Both men glanced up, for the rectangle of sunshine in
the doorway was cut off. A girl was standing there looking
in. (Section 2)
Symbolism of light/darkness
It is significant that when we first meet Curley’s wife,
Steinbeck tells us that “the rectangle of sunshine in the
doorway was cut off.” This is an example of the writer’s
use of light and darkness in the novel. If light represents
hope and dreams, then it is significant that Curley’s wife
cuts off that light.
Identify the Technique
‘She had full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made
up. Her fingernails were red. Her hair hung in little rolled
clusters, like sausages. She wore a cotton house dress and red
mules…’ (Section 2)
Colour imagery/symbolism
Steinbeck fills his physical description of Curley’s wife with
references to the colour red. ‘She had full, rouged lips’, ‘her
fingernails were red’ and she wore ‘red mules’. The colour red
could be seen to suggest her sexual and passionate nature,
however, it is also a colour associated with danger, perhaps
hinting that Curley’s wife poses a threat to George and Lennie.
Identify the Technique
‘George looked over at Slim and saw the calm,
Godlike eyes fastened on him.’ (Section 3)
Adjectives
Steinbeck emphasises Slim’s respectability and
even-mannered nature through the adjectives
“calm” and “Godlike” when describing his eyes.
Associating Slim with “God” highlights the very high
status Slim has on the ranch.
Identify the Technique
‘A shot sounded in the distance. The men looked
quickly at the old man. Every head turned toward
him.’ (Section 3)
Short sentences
Steinbeck uses short sentences to inform the reader
of Candy’s dog’s death, an example being, ‘A shot
sounded in the distance.’ These help to create
tension and also highlight how quickly a life can
end.
Identify the Technique
‘"Get him, Lennie.”’ (Section 3 – George to Lennie
when Curley is attacking him)
Imperative
George’s use of the imperative “Get him, Lennie” is
an example of George’s power over Lennie, who has
tried desperately not to fight back. One simple
command from George is all it takes for him to act.
Identify the Technique
“A water snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its
periscope head from side to side” (Section 6)
Metaphor
Steinbeck parallels his description of the water snake in
section one, depicting it “twisting its periscope head from
side to side”. The use of the metaphor, highlights the
need for caution and ever present danger in the natural
world. The fact that the heron “plucked it out by the
head” and ate it, clearly foreshadows Lennie’s imminent
death.