Prelapsarian Setting Analysis The novel's opening presents a symbolic paradise, utilizing biblical imagery to foreshadow later events.

Vocabulary: Prelapsarian - referring to the time before the fall of man; innocent and unspoiled

Quote: "the water is warm" and "twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight"

Highlight: The idyllic setting serves as a stark contrast to the harsh realities that follow.

Prelapsarian Setting: Symbolism and Meaning

This section explores the symbolic significance of the novel's opening setting, which is described in idyllic, almost paradise-like terms.

Concept of Prelapsarian Setting

Vocabulary: Prelapsarian - meaning innocent and unspoilt

The term "prelapsarian" refers to a state of innocence before a fall from grace, often associated with the biblical Garden of Eden.

Biblical Symbolism

Steinbeck's description of the setting at the beginning of the novella draws parallels to the Garden of Eden, symbolizing a state of perfection before the fall of man.

Highlight: Biblical symbolism, representing the garden of Eden. It is representing the fall of man (how mankind ruined nature) it is preparing the setting to make that happen.

This symbolism foreshadows the events to come in the novel, suggesting that this initial state of perfection cannot be maintained.

Descriptive Quotes

Steinbeck uses vivid, sensory language to create this prelapsarian atmosphere:

Quote: "the water is warm", "twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight", "willows fresh and green with every spring", "the golden foothill"

These descriptions paint a picture of a warm, peaceful, and abundant natural world.

Animal Imagery

The presence of various animals in this setting further reinforces its Eden-like quality:

Quote: "lizard", "rabbits", "dogs", "deer"

The harmony between different species in this opening scene contrasts with the conflicts that will arise later in the human world of the ranch.

Symbolic Significance

The purity and perfection of this opening scene serve as a stark contrast to the harsh realities that will be revealed as the story progresses.

Highlight: The purity of this world in the opening scene proves to be unsustainable as the story continues.

This contrast emphasizes themes of lost innocence, the corrupting influence of society, and the gap between ideal dreams and harsh reality that are central to the novel.

Definition: Symbols in Of Mice and Men often contrast the natural world with human society, highlighting the corrupting influence of social hierarchies and prejudices.

Social Hierarchy Analysis The ranch's social structure reflects broader societal hierarchies of 1930s America, with clear power dynamics between different groups.

Definition: The ranch hierarchy demonstrates how factors like race, gender, ability, and social position determined one's place in society.

Example: The boss and Curley occupy the top positions, while marginalized characters like Crooks and Curley's wife remain at the bottom.

The Bunkhouse: Symbolism and Imagery

This final section examines the symbolic significance of the bunkhouse where the ranch workers live, exploring how its description reinforces key themes in the novel.

Prison-like Imagery

Steinbeck's description of the bunkhouse draws parallels to a prison, emphasizing the trapped nature of the workers' lives:

Quote: The bunkhouse where the men live looks like a prison, with "small, square windows" and a "solid door."

This imagery suggests that the workers are not just physically confined but also trapped by their social and economic circumstances.

Auditory Symbolism

The author uses sound imagery to further reinforce the idea of confinement and lack of freedom:

Quote: The reader is further reminded that the workers are prisoners of their circumstances by the "jingle of trace chains" and the "rattle [...] of halter chains."

The repeated reference to chains symbolizes the various forms of bondage experienced by the characters, whether economic, social, or psychological.

Contrast with Opening Setting

The stark, prison-like description of the bunkhouse stands in sharp contrast to the idyllic, prelapsarian setting described at the beginning of the novel. This contrast emphasizes the gap between the characters' dreams and aspirations and the harsh reality of their lives.

Symbolic Significance

The bunkhouse serves as a physical manifestation of the limited options and constrained lives of migrant workers in 1930s America. It represents the harsh realities of poverty, the lack of personal freedom, and the dehumanizing aspects of their work and living conditions.

Definition: George symbolism Of Mice and Men often focuses on his role as a protector and guide, contrasting with the harsh, prison-like environment of the bunkhouse.

The bunkhouse symbolism reinforces central themes of the novel, including:

• The American Dream and its limitations
• The dehumanizing effects of poverty and social inequality
• The contrast between freedom and confinement

By presenting the workers' living space in these terms, Steinbeck invites readers to consider the broader social and economic conditions that trap individuals in cycles of poverty and limited opportunity.