Discuss the Significance of Names in of Mice and Men Essay

As seen in the book Of Mice and Men, author thaumaturgy Steinbeck uses a range of different names for his character, but as it seems, it is not just a coincidence that they are named this way. Steinbeck uses these specific names to match personality of a character and to lay down the significance of these characters to the society. Many characters names begin with a C for example Candy, Crooks, Curley, to create a direct reference to Cain a nomad from the bible who was cursed by God that he would never be able to prove down because of his wrongdoings for power, this signifies that the characters and Cain have a similarity they are not able to settle down but are forced to keep moving from virtuoso area to another.Curleys Wife, is perhaps the most major female character that is essential to the story, but has no name in the book. The most obvious boldness as to why Steinbeck has decided to do this is because he is using a historical reference to the American community, where woman were considered to be a mans possession. When they had them previews I coulda went to them, an spoke in the radio, an it wouldnta cost me a cent because I was in the pitchers. In the book, Curleys Wife has a dream/ thirst to have her name known as an icon, however, the results were that she had married a nobody which makes her an even smaller existence to the society and the world. We can come to a polish that Curleys wife is unnamed because Steinbeck reflects her comp permite lack of individual identity.Lennie Small, one of the two most major and necessary characters in the storyline, has a very ironical name. Lennie is short for Leonard or abbreviated to Leo has a definition of lion, has symbolizes courage, rulership and strength, which is a complete opposite of Lennies character. Small is also an addition to the irony, where Steinbeck uses this to emphasize his huge physical appearances. I dont want no trouble, dont let him sock me George. As seen in the book, Lennie is a cow ard, as he has a huge body and strength, yet doesnt know how to defend himself in certain situations and cannot stand-up for himself. shorten is perhaps the most unique characters passim the whole book. The reason as to why Steinbeck has decided to name this character in this way is to reflect on the American society (similar to Curleys wifes reasoning) as to where people were depressing and rarely had a reason to laugh or be positive nub that his physical appearance as being a tall skinny man refers to this. Slim however, is often thought as a hero, and thinks deeply about his actions toward other people as seen in chapter 6 where Slim out of all men goes over to check on Curleys Wifes lifeless body. Then Slim went quietly over to her, and he felt her wrist. One lean finger touched her check, and then his hand went under her slightly twisted neck and his fingers explored her neck. In other words, Slims naming is decided on to reflect and perhaps to criticize the American society at the time.Carlson, is the complete opposite of Slim, with Carl meaning man or manly and son meaning son, creating a definition of mans son. Carlson as seen in the earlier parts of the story is seen to show no respect or value to Candys dog because of its putrid odor, not considering that the pet could be Candys only companion, show that his character is arrogant and selfish. Carlsons name is also decided to reflect on the American society, where his physical appearance also represents the average man. Carlson stepped back to let Slim precede him, and then the two of them went out the door. Nonetheless, Carlson shows in chapter 2 that he pays respect to the more superior than him, in this case to Slim, as he precedes back to let Slim past by. In conclusion, the names of characters in Of Mice and Men are not just coincidences. In fact, the names John Steinbeck have chosen are to symbolize and signify certain images and personalities and sometimes to criticize the American society, therefore, names in Of Mice and Men are also a great significance to the story.