Thursday, March 22, 2012

How does Steinbeck present the theme of power in the novel "Of Mice and Men"?- through the characters and relationships - through the way he...

The kind of in-depth answer you're probably looking for
that addresses all of those elements really isn't possible in the 90 word space we have,
but I can point you in the right direction.


Think of power
in personal relationships.  For example,  Slim and Curley's father all have social power
in that they are in positions of authority.  Everyone on the ranch has authority over
Crooks, as a segregated, second-class citizen in the America of the 1930s.  Curley has
authority over his wife, since this was long before women achieved some social
equality.  These all represent one kind of power.


Another
kind of power is economic power.  Curley's Dad owns the ranch, and can fire workers at
will, and is the one who pays them each month.  He is wealthy while the workers are
living month to month.


The story reinforces these themes of
power constantly, so it is the central premise of the book.

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