After reading Of Mice and Men, construct an essay analyzing the common theme Steinback represents with hands.
In any novel, many themes can be concluded by any reader; these themes are reoccurring most of the time and they help develop the story. Of Mice and Men contains several different themes that originate from motifs throughout it, and these themes can be interpreted several different ways based on the context of the book. In the novel Of Mice and Men, Steinback incorporates a common motif of hands that gives numerous themes such as innocence, violence, and betrayal that relate to events throughout the novel.
One of the themes that Steinback incorporates throughout the novel is innocence, which is mainly displayed by the character Lennie. On page 5, Steinback integrates the theme of innocence when he says, “Lennie held his closed hand away from George’s direction. ‘It’s only a mouse, George.'” This quote includes the theme of innocence because it shows that Lennie doesn’t want to give up the mouse he sees kind of like a new pet that he had been carrying in his hand because “it’s only a mouse.” Another way the Steinback shows the theme of innocence in his novel is on page 9. The story says, “He heard Lennie’s whimpering cry and wheeled about. ‘Blubberin’ like a baby! A big guy like you.’ Lennie’s lip quivered and tears started in his eyes. ‘Aw, Lennie!’ George put his hand on Lennie’s shoulder. ‘I ain’t takin’ it away jus’ for meanness. That mouse ain’t fresh, Lennie; and besides, you broke it pettin’ it. You get another mouse that’s fresh and I’ll let you keep it a little while.'” This further conveys the innocence that Lennie displays by showing how upset Lennie became when George had to take his mouse away. Even though he had accidentally killed it, Lennie didn’t realize he needed to give up the mouse to George so he could get rid of it. Another instance where the theme of innocence is presented is on page 87. It says, “‘He was so little,’ said Lennie. ‘I was jus’ playing with him… an’ he made like he’s gonna bite me… an’ I made like i was gonna smack him… an’… an’ I done it. An’ then he was dead.'” Steinback’s reference to Lennie’s hands killing the puppy shows his innocence because it shows how careful Lennie was trying to be while playing with the puppies, yet he still wasn’t able to control his strength. It was easy to see how upset Lennie got when he accidentally killed the puppy, which clearly shows his innocence.
Some may think the actions Lennie has done relates to violence rather than innocence, which may also be true, seeing as Steinback uses “hands” to represent several different themes throughout the book. On page 63 it says, “Curley’s fist was swinging when Lennie reached for it. The next minute Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie’s big hand.” This evidence seems to suggest the theme of violence coming from hands because it shows that the men were fighting and Lennie’s large hands were able to help him win the fight. Another way the theme of violence is presented is on page 91 when it says, “She jerked her head sideways, and Lennie’s fingers closed on her hair and hung on. ‘Let go,’ she cried. ‘You let go!’ Lennie was in a panic. His face was contorted. She screamed then, and Lennie’s other hand closed over her mouth and nose.” It is elucidative to see that this evidence supports the theme of violence because it shows how even though Lennie couldn’t control his own strength, he still ended up with an act of violence that resulted in him killing Curley’s wife.
Although most of the themes based on the motif hands have been conveyed through Lennie, one of the themes that has not been presented by him was betrayal. This theme was displayed by George. On page 106 it says, “And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie’s head. The hand shook violently , but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger.” This quote shows overwhelming evidence to support the theme of betrayal; Lennie and George were supposed to stick together until the end–or until they got to their Dream Farm–but instead, George betrayed Lennie. The motif of hands is present in this piece of evidence because it shows how George’s hands pulled the trigger of the gun, which killed his best friend, Lennie.
The motif of hands is heavily reiterated throughout Of Mice and Men. Steinback incorporates this motif in his novel, along with many others, in order to develop several different themes to draw any reader in deeper to his story. The themes that are frequently integrated throughout Of Mice and Men that originate from the motif hands are innocence, violence, and betrayal.
And That's the Tea, Sis 