Nature Flashcards
In the beginning of the novel, Steinbeck describes the sun, X. and at the end of the novel, Y. This illustrates and mimics Lennies journey throughout the novel: he is avoiding trouble at the beginning and then towards the end he finds himself in little mistakes such as killing the puppies which then lead to one big mistake, killing Curley’s wife.
‘has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight’, ‘Already the sun has left the valley to go climbing’.
At the beginning of the novel a water snake X and at the end, X. This tells us that the weak die and the strong survive: seen in nature’s natural selection. This also shows a world where you have to fight and be brutal to survive. A contrast from carefree to paranoid.
‘slipped along on the pool’,
‘the beak swallowed the little snake, while its tale wave frantically’.
The beginning of the novel describes a scene like the garden of Eden, all the nature is beautiful, unspoilt, and full of life (there is no death). At the end it has become a postlapsarian scene which has had darkness come into it. Death has entered the world unlike the perfect Eden at the start. The way Steinbeck describes the natural scene, especially at the end of the novel, foreshadows and displays what Lennie’s fate will end up being.
‘A silent head and beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head, and the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically.’
What is ranch life like for nature?
Ranch life is about subduing nature for the benefit of humans. But the novel also makes us wonder how different humans are from animals in this ruthless world where only the strong survive.
