Literary devices

Microcosm

A representation of something on a much smaller scale

What literary device is used here? "George brought the cards together tightly and studied the backs of them. The silence was in the room again."

Symbolism. 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.

What literary device is used here? "And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck."

Suspense. (After Lennie killed Candy's wife, the audience is very tense because a number of things could happen to Lennie.)

Suspense

makes the audience tense because of the past events or anticipate the next event

Round characters

A character that is more developed than flat characters. They have more than one side to them.

Flat characters

A character that is very one sided and perceived with a specific opinion by the audience

Character foils

A contrasting character to a more primary character. They are usually complete opposites and are useful to characterize the more primary character.

Characterisation

A description of a person that describes distinct features and characteristics

Motif

A main idea or feature

Symbolism

Any noun that represents a concept or idea

What literary device is used here? 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.'"

Character foils. 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.

What literary device is used 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."

Characterisation (and simile)

What literary device is used here? "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."

Imagery

Imagery

Descriptive language used to appeal to various senses

What literary device is used here? "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."

Flat character. 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.

What literary device is used here? "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."

Foreshadowing. (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.)

Anthropomorphism

Giving humans animal characteristics

What literary device is used here? "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."

Mood.

What literary device is used here? "'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.'"

Motif. 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.

What literary device is used here? "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.'"

Round characters. 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.

Mood

The atmosphere of literary work that intends to evoke specific emotions from an audience

Zoomorphism

To apply animal characteristics and behaviors to people

What literary device is used here? "Lennie fairly scuttled out of the room."

Zoomorphism. (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.0