Sample paragraphs for Of Mice and Men theme analysis essay:
Introduction:
 Overview basic plot for Of Mice and Men (background info, main characters, setting, conflict)
 Identify author and year published (background information)
 Identify the topic you have chosen, the theme and literary elements used by the author and state the
theme (thesis). This will supported throughout the body paragraphs.
Sample intro for topic of the American dream
(Background info) John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men, is a
heartbreaking story about the travels of an unlikely pair of migrant
workers trying to achieve the dream of owning their own ranch during
the trying times of The Great Depression. Published in 1937, the novel
depicts the struggles of George and Lennie and the other ranch hands
as they deal with the many problems of the times. One topic addressed
in the novella is the possibility of the American dream, or rather the
nearly impossible task of achieving it during The Great Depression.
(Thesis) Throughout the novel, Steinbeck uses the literary elements of
symbolism and motif that reveal the theme that, while possible, the
American dream remains only an unachievable dream for most,
including our main characters.
Body paragraphs:
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A- Introduce lit element (example, motif, symbol) and assert that it supports your thesis
X-Put example in context (explain at what point(s) in the novel it appears)
Give example (with page number)
E- Explain how that example proves/supports the theme you identified in your thesis
Sample thesis and 1st body paragraph for the topic of predatory nature of
man/the strong dominating the weak:
Thesis (for predatory nature of man topic): Through symbolism and the use of
motif, Steinbeck clearly draws a comparison between animals and humans.
Through this comparison, he conveys the idea that people, like animals,
sometimes prey on each other and that we have a tendency to prey on those
weaker than ourselves.
Body #1 related to thesis (AXE):
(A)Two related symbols which serve as examples of the strong preying on the
weak in the novel are Candy and Candy’s dog; both of whom are too old to be of
much use to anyone. Carlson, an insensitive ranch hand encourages Candy to kill
the dog because it smells up the bunk house. (X) In Chapter 3, Carlson tells
Candy, “Well, I can’t stand him in here… That stink hangs around even after he’s
gone… Got no teeth, He’s all stiff with rheumatism. He ain’t no good to you,
Candy and he ain’t no good to himself. Why’n’t you just shoot him Candy (36)?”
In this case, Carlson considers the dog “no good” or weak and wants him dead.
Later, Candy draws a comparison between himself and his dog, and it becomes
clear that Candy’s dog is a symbol for Candy. Later in the chapter, Candy pleads
with George and Lennie to include him in their dream to own a ranch. “I ain’t
much good with on’y one hand… They’ll can me pretty soon.” He then talks about
the killing of his dog. “You seen what they done to my dog tonight? When they
can me here I wisht somebody’d shoot me (60).” (E) These two quotes draw a
clear correlation between Candy and his dog. Candy’s dog is killed by Carlson
because he serves no useful purpose. The dog serves as a symbol for Candy
because he too, serves no real purpose on the ranch because of his handicap and
his age. Both are considered weak and are preyed upon; the dog by Carlson, and
Candy by the boss who is sure to fire him when he can no longer work. These
examples clearly show the strong preying upon the weak.
Beginning of sample body paragraph #2 (lit element motif)
This theme is also evident though the use of motif. One motif that recurs is…
Conclusion:
 Re-state the thesis
 Summarize the literary techniques that the author used to lead us to the theme (character quotes, motifs,
symbols,etc…)
 Leave the reader with a sentence or two as to why we should consider this topic or theme. In other
words, why should we care about the authors message (predatory nature or man, need for friendship,
etc…)