Animal imagery is a prominent and extremely important device in the novel

Of Mice and Men is a large novel written by John Steinbeck, a Nobel Prize-winning author. Based on Steinbecks own experiences at the time, it tells the reprehensible story of George Milton and Lennie Sm exclusively, two migrant workers who learn to purport out for one a nonher during the Great depressive disorder in Salinas, California. For the duration of the tale, Steinbeck makes references to physicals and their significance, both through symbol and reflecting characters personalities. The mice, the rabbits and the dogs be three important recurring animal images in the novel.Mice have a crucial vastness in the novel, as well as Lennies consanguinity with the mice. Firstly, Lennie wants to feel soft things, and his obsession with with petting mice grants him with certificate and comfort. Even if the animal is lifeless, Lennie still pets it to comfort it as well as to comfort himself. The simple savour of the mouses smooth fur running between his fingers appropriate him w ith a whizz of contentment. This symbolizes his soft and caring lieu along with his warm heart. Secondly, the murdered mouse in Lennies pocket is a strong symbol forecast the end awaiting all weak and helpless creatures. This shows that non only is Lennie symboli skirty playing with demise, but that, in his perspective, shoemakers last isnt a fear of his.The reader learns that the exsanguinous mouse Lennie finds is not the first mouse he has had, but because of his strength, they always ended up dead if they were alive to begin with. Therefore, the mouse Lennie finds dies a turbulent untimely death. Thirdly, stock-still with Lennies physical strength and size, his callow mental capabilities make him as helpless as a mouse. The fact that Lennie gets, and accidentally kills the mice he has, reveals his undisciplined strength and his compassion for soft things.Rabbits atomic number 18 in like manner another not commensurate animal mentioned in the novel. Firstly, they are the only thing that Lennie does not seem to forget. all(prenominal) time he asks George to tell him the story of their light augury, he always mentions the rabbits, as if without the rabbits on their land, even if they would have a place they can call their own, it would not be the same. Secondly, the rabbits that Lennie hopes to have and care for join George control over him. Lennies happiness is based on his hopes for this land, so he will be able to endure his rabbits.Knowing this, George constantly threatens him with not allowing him to tend the rabbits if he does not behave and follow his orders. George tells Lennie if you do get in trouble, I wont let you tend to the rabbits, (p.17). This becomes Lennies pauperization to behave and to watch what he does. He imagines solidus an looking after his rabbits on the little house he and George plan on owning. For this reason, being he has something to hope for, he tries harder to be good and has no limits of what he would do for his dream to come true. And Finally, like mice, rabbits are soft creatures that Lennie does not only propensity to tend but to pet as well.Dogs are principal animal figures stated in the novel. Firstly, Steinbeck starts by comparing Lennies loyalty to that of a dog. His huge fellow traveler dropped his blankets and flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool, (p.4). Although he does not do so directly, this image compares Lennie, when he is beverage from the pool, to, as the phrase goes, mans best friend. throughout the book, Lennie proves his complete loyalty and unconditional love and friendship. interchangeable a dog, he does not understand certain(a) concepts. He also does not think rough the consequences of his actions. Steinbecks comparisons between Lennie and animals, like dogs, bears, and horses, reinforce the impending sense of doom.Secondly, Candys dog has a great importance in the novel as well. His death is linked to the death of Lennie be cause this dog represents the fate awaiting anyone that becomes no longer useful. In other words, anyone who outlives his or her purpose will be put out, one way or another. The dogs death brings out a major fear in Candy. He himself is nearing an age when he will no longer be useful on the bedcover and therefore will no longer be welcomed there either. Finally, Lennies puppy is one of several symbols that wrangle the victory of the strong over the weak. Lennie kills the puppy unintentionally, as he has killed many mice before, for the plain reason that he does not recognize his own strength.Animals in the novel, from mice to rabbits to dogs, all die untimely deaths and have an intense significance. Steinbecks references to animals portrays the characteristics of the characters as well. These comparisons are not only meaningful in the book but also in genuine life.