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In John Steinbeck's iconic novella, "Of Mice and Men," the narrative unfolds as a poignant exploration of shattered dreams, echoing the theme of Robert Burns' poem, "To a Mouse." The profound connection between these two works extends beyond the shared sentiment expressed in the title, inviting readers to delve into the intricacies of human-animal relationships and the fragility of aspirations.
Robert Burns' timeless poem, "To a Mouse," provides a poignant backdrop for understanding the essence of "Of Mice and Men." The famous line, "The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley" ("often go awry"), encapsulates the central theme of dreams thwarted by unforeseen circumstances.
Steinbeck deliberately draws upon this line to underline the inevitability of shattered aspirations, a motif that permeates the lives of the characters in his novella.
Moreover, both works intricately weave the fabric of human-animal relationships into their narratives. In "To a Mouse," a field worker inadvertently disrupts a mouse's nest, prompting reflection on the unintended consequences of human actions.
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This mirrors Lennie's unintentional harm to small creatures in "Of Mice and Men." The parallelism extends beyond mere happenstance, revealing a deeper connection between the two works.
From the outset, George and Lennie embark on a shared dream, a vision of escaping the harsh realities of itinerant labor and establishing a farm where they can "live off the fatta the land." This dream, however, proves as fragile as the mice Lennie unknowingly harms.
Their intricate plans begin to unravel when Lennie inadvertently takes the life of Curley's wife, altering the course of their destinies.
George, confronted with the harsh reality that their dream may never materialize, confesses, "I think I knowed we'd never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would" (94). The juxtaposition of the dream's fragility and the unintended consequences of Lennie's actions parallels the delicate nature of the mice Lennie once petted. In essence, the dream, like the mice, succumbs to unexpected forces, leaving George and Lennie grappling with shattered ambitions.
Steinbeck masterfully underscores the theme of fragility by drawing parallels between the dreams of men and the vulnerability of mice. Lennie's penchant for petting soft things, coupled with his unintentional harm towards mice, serves as a poignant metaphor for the delicate nature of aspirations. Lennie's Aunt, aware of his inadvertent harm, stopped giving him mice, lamenting, "An' she stopped givin' 'em to ya. You always killed 'em" (9).
In this parallelism, the fragility of the dream becomes apparent. The dream, like the mice, is susceptible to collapse with the slightest deviation from the planned course. The convergence of men and mice in their vulnerability emphasizes the universality of shattered dreams, transcending the boundaries between species.
In conclusion, the title "Of Mice and Men" serves as a profound exploration of the interconnected fragility of dreams, drawing inspiration from Robert Burns' timeless reflection in "To a Mouse." The resonance between the two works extends beyond the surface, delving into the delicate balance between human aspirations and unforeseen circumstances. George and Lennie's shattered dream mirrors the fragility of mice, emphasizing the universal theme of dreams often going awry. Through the careful juxtaposition of human and animal experiences, Steinbeck crafts a narrative that transcends time and species, resonating with readers in a profound exploration of the human condition.
A Comparative Analysis of "Of Mice and Men" and "To a Mouse". (2016, Dec 22). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/of-mice-and-men-18-essay
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