Part Two: Of Mice and Men

Hanna Wurdack

                 During section two of OMAM, I observed a lot of foreshadowing and symbolism. I mostly saw symbolism through the old man or Candy and his dog. "The old man came slowly into the room. He had his broom in his hand. And at his heels there was a dragfooted sheepdog, gray of muzzle, and with pale, blind old eyes. The dog struggled lamely to the side of the room and lay down, grunting softly to himself and licking his grizzled, moth-eaten coat. The swamper watched him until he was settled," was a part on page 24 that showed true symbolism to me. I believe that the dog symbolizes Lennie, and Candy symbolizes George. In this paragraph from OMAM, it explained how the dog followed the old man at his heels, like Lennie following George everywhere he goes. It said he was blind, and Lennie doesn't really always know what he's doing, so George guides him, as if Lennie is blind. It also says the dog grunted softly to himself, like Lennie does when he's trying to remember something. The old man watched the dog until it had settled, like George always watches over and makes sure Lennie is OK.

                Then throughout section two, I observed a great amount of foreshadowing. "Well... tell you what. Curley's like a lot of little guys. He hates big guys. He's alla time picking scraps with big guys. Kind of like he's mad at 'em because he ain't a big guy," on page 26, this foreshadows what will happen later. "Well, he better watch out for Lennie. Lennie ain't no fighter, but Lennie's strong and quick and Lennie don't know no rules," on page 27 also adds to what might happen in the future. In this chapter, Curley showed a lot of hatred towards Lennie. I think these quotes from OMAM foreshadow Curley and Lennie getting into a fight or something bad will happen between them. Maybe this bad thing will have to make them run from their new job. I also think this might happen because George reminded Lennie many times to stay away from Curley and if he gets in trouble to run to the place they slept the night before and hide in the brush.  

      On page 37, I think the foreshadowing and symbolism was connected. On this page, Curley shows up again and asks George and Lennie where his wife was, and George responds with anger, disrespect, and rudeness. "Ya know Lennie, I'm scared I'm gonna tangle with that bastard myself. I hate his guts," shows foreshadowing. "After a moment the ancient dog walked lamely in through the open door. He gazed about with mild, half-blind eyes. He sniffed and then lay down and put his head between his paws. Curley popped into the doorway again and stood looking in the room. The dog raised his head, but when Curley jerked out, the grizzled head sank to the floor again," shows foreshadowing and symbolism. I think in this section the author led his readers to believe Lennie would eventually get in trouble with Curley and George and Lennie would have to run. But, on page 37 it seems the opposite. George explains how even he was scared he might get into it with Curley. Plus, when Curley comes in the old dog raises his head but doesn't get up. Still thinking of Lennie as the dog in this section, Lennie doesn't attack Curley but just raises his head. Will George get into a fight with Curley and will he and Lennie have to flee?