Literary Devices

Imagery- descriptive language used to appeal to various senses
This was used frequently throughout this book to describe (mostly) scenery or characters.


"On one side of the river the golden foothill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan Mountains, but on the valley side the water is lined with trees— willows fresh and green with every spring, carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of the winter’s flooding; and sycamores with mottled, white, recumbent limbs and branches that arch over the pool."

Characterization- a description of a person that describes distinct features and characteristics
An example of this was when Lennie was introduced to the reader and his features and behavior were described.

"Behind him walked his opposite, a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, and

wide, sloping shoulders; and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws."

Motif- a main idea or feature in literary and artistic work
A main motif of this book was the idea of value of people, animals, and things. For instance when Candy talks about how the men on the ranch would get rid of him once he is of no use.

“'I got hurt four year ago,' he said. 'They’ll can me purty soon. Jus’ as soon as I can’t swamp out no bunk houses they’ll put me on the county.'"

Foreshadowing- to indicate an event before it happens
A major foreshadow was in the beginning of the book, when a serene and peaceful landscape was being painted; before Lennie and George trampled through it. Some animals that were so still became alert and scurried off in an instant.

"And then from the direction of the state highway came the sound of footsteps on crisp sycamore leaves. The rabbits hurried noiselessly for cover. A stilted heron labored up into the air and pounded down river."

Zoomorphism- to apply animal characteristics and behaviors to people
An example of this is when George was slightly irritated at Lennie for bringing the pup into the bunkhouse and Lennie carefully exited the room to go to the barn; trying to draw as little attention as possible by acting similar to an insect.
"Lennie fairly scuttled out of the room."

Suspense- makes the audience tense because of the past events or anticipate the next event
After Lennie killed Candy's wife, the audience is very tense because a number of things could happen to Lennie.
"And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck."

Mood- the atmosphere of literary work that intends to evoke specific emotions from an audience
For instance when the men in the bunkhouse were silent and waiting to hear the gunshot of Carlson's gun to Candy's dog's head. The mood was very solemn and uncomfortable and the audience felt some part of Candy's pain.
"The silence fell on the room again. A minute passed, and another minute. Candy lay still, staring at the ceiling. Slim gazed at him for a moment and then looked down at his hands; he subdued one hand with the other, and held it down."

Round characters- a character that is more developed than flat characters. They have more than one side to them.
George is an example of a round character, as are many main characters. He is very sensible and somewhat strict but the audience also knows about when he almost drowned Lennie as a joke.
"One day a bunch of guys was standin’ around up on the Sacramento River. I was feelin’ pretty smart. I turns to Lennie and says, ‘Jump in.’ An’ he jumps. Couldn’t swim a stroke. He damn near drowned before we could get him.'"

Flat characters- a character that is very one sided and perceived with a specific opinion by the audience
Curley is an excellent example of a flat character in this book. All the book tells the audience is that he is cocky, arrogant, aggressive, and irritated. A generally not well-liked character.
"He glanced coldly at George and then at Lennie. His arms gradually bent at the elbows and his hands closed into fists. He stiffened and went into a slight   crouch.   His   glance   was   at   once calculating and pugnacious."

Character foils- a contrasting character to a more primary character. They are usually complete opposites and are useful to characterize the more primary character.
Slim and Curley are character foils to one another. Though they are equally as primary, they are still complete opposites. Slim is tall, reasonable, respected, and intelligent whereas Curley is short, irrational, simple-minded, and predictable.
Describing Slim: "There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke. His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love. This was Slim, the jerkline skinner. His hatchet face was ageless. He might have been thirty-five or fifty. His ear heard more than was said to him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought. His hands, large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer."
Describing Curley: "Then Curley’s rage exploded. 'Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me. I’ll show ya who’s yella.'”

Symbolism- any noun that represents a concept or idea
An example of this is the playing cards during the scene when Candy's dog was being shot. They symbolize being at ease, having fun, and are a way of getting distracted. All the things the men in the room wanted to be doing while the dog was being shot. 
"George brought the cards together tightly and studied the backs of them. The silence was in the room again."

Dialogue- conversation between characters
The book was filled with dialogue when there wasn't imagery.
"'Huh? Oh! Hello, Crooks. What’s’ a matter?'
'You told me to warm up tar for that mule’s foot. I got it warm.'
'Oh! Sure, Crooks. I’ll come right out an’ put it on.'
'I can do it if you want, Mr. Slim.'
'No. I’ll come do it myself.'"

Setting- the location of scenes
The bunkhouse is a setting to some important scenes in this book such as Curley and Lennie's fight and the shooting of Candy's dog.
"Although there was evening brightness showing through the windows of the
bunk house, inside it was dusk. Through the open door came the thuds and
occasional clangs of a horseshoe game, and now and then the sound of voices
raised in approval or derision."

Theme- a central concept or idea
Treachery is a main theme of the book such as when Lennie touched the girl's dress in weed it was decided as a rape and how many men start work on lazy days to get free meals then leave after they're over.

“'You do if you been around these big ranches much.
Guy that wants to look over a ranch comes in Sat’day afternoon. He gets
Sat’day night supper an’ three meals on Sunday, and he can quit Monday
mornin’ after breakfast without turning his hand. But you come to work Friday
noon. You got to put in a day an’ a half no matter how you figure.'”