Symbolism In Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

A wise man once said, “Objects can mean anything, but it is the symbol inside that harnesses its true meaning.” In this context anything can be a symbol. In the short story “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst, and the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, both stories show prominent examples of symbolism. Although both “The Scarlet Ibis” and Of Mice and Men have their similarities in symbolism, they have many differences that set each story apart. Both “The Scarlet Ibis” and Of Mice and Men deal with loss and loneliness, but the characters, plot, and theme make each story unique. Symbolism is a common tool used by Steinbeck and Hurst. Both Of Mice and Men and “The Scarlet Ibis” use symbolism through animals to get the reader to connect and understand the story. Doodle and Lennie, had a certain animal that represented them symbolically. For Doodle the scarlet ibis represented him, while Lennie was represented by Candy’s dog. “The way I’d shoot him, he wouldn’t feel nothing. I’d put the gun right there.” He pointed with his toe. “Right back of the head. He wouldn’t even quiver.” (Steinbeck 21). The dog died by being shot in the head by Carlson, a farmhand at the ranch. “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. The crash of the shot rolled up the …show more content…
The characters make each story different, and their actions control the plot. “The Scarlet Ibis” and Of Mice and Men have a unique cast of character’s, but both share a common experience. Both characters have this sense of frustration towards the one they take care of. “Yeah, you forgot. You always forget, an’ I got to talk you out of it.” He sat down heavily on the bunk. “Now he’s got his eye on us. Now we got to be careful and not make no slips. You keep your big flapper shut after