Symbols in Of Mice and Men

While reading the book Of Mice and Men you may have noticed that there were many symbols that appeared throughout the story. For example, the farm that George, Lennie, and Candy were supposed to buy together was a symbol. Other symbols were Lennie’s puppy, Candy’s Dog, and water. These symbols resembled something special to each of the characters.
I’m sure we all remember the wonderful farm. The farm was kind of like the Promised Land in the bible. It was the place they would end up after all of their hard work. The farm was there success and goal in life. When they reached their precious Promised Land was a haven where they would experience endless peace and satisfaction.
As we mentioned Candy’s Dog also was a symbol that appeared in the book. I’m sure you’ll all agree with me when I say that the death of Candy’s Dog was an event that really opened up Candy’s eyes to realization. It made Candy see that just as his dog’s time on the earth was over and done with; his time to pass was also coming up fast. So in a way Candy’s Dog’s death was a symbol for his death and someone else’s. The dog also was a symbol for the end of dreams. It showed that everything that’s new will one day experience an end.
New beginnings were symbolized in this book by Lennie’s puppy. Unlike Candy’s Dog, Lennie’s puppy’s end was no where in sight. Lennie’s puppy brought new dreams, hope, and joy to Lennie’s life.
Now for the last symbol I’m going inform you about that was this story is water. Water usually symbolizes fertility, growth, creative potential, life, or healing, but not in this story it doesn’t. In this story water symbolizes trouble. In the beginning of Of Mice and Men Lennie and George were running from men who chasing after them to most likely kill them. Also if Lennie was to ever get in trouble he was to run to the lake and wait for George to find him and when George was washing and drinking water soon after trouble brewed close by. I guess water was supposed to cover up Lennie’s mistakes.
As you read symbols were a big part of this book. Whether they symbolized new dreams, ending dreams, trouble, or success and peace they all gave there own special hidden meaning.. We will always come across symbols in our own life, and like the story I’m sure symbols also occur in your life and story.