Close read of mice and men in the passage highlight multiple examples of imagery, identify the type of imagery, and at least three instances describe the effect of the imagery. A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs

Question

deep and green. The water is warm too, for it has slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in
the sunlight before reaching the narrow pool. 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. On the sandy bank under the trees the leaves lie
deep and so crisp that a lizard makes a great skittering if he runs among them. Rabbits come
out of the brush to sit on the sand in the evening, and the damp flats are covered with the
night tracks of 'coons, and with the spread pads of dogs from the ranches, and with the split-
wedge tracks of deer that come to drink in the dark.
There is a path through the willows and among the sycamores, a path beaten hard by boys
coming down from the ranches to swim in the deep pool, and beaten hard by tramps who
come wearily down from the highway in the evening to jungle-up near water. In front of the
low horizontal limb of a giant sycamore there is an ash pile made by many fires; the limb is
worn smooth by men who have sat on it.

Answer 1

In this passage from John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, several examples of imagery enhance the setting and create a vivid landscape that evokes a sense of place, mood, and foreshadowing. Here’s a breakdown of different types of imagery used in the passage, accompanied by an exploration of their effects.

Types of Imagery and Examples

1. Visual Imagery:

   • "the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green."
   • "On one side of the river the golden foothill slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan Mountains."

   Effect: This visual imagery paints a clear picture of the landscape, allowing readers to visualize the serene yet rugged beauty of California's natural environment. The contrast between "golden foothills" and "strong and rocky" mountains suggests both warmth and strength, embodying the duality of nature—its allure and its formidable aspects.

2. Tactile Imagery:

   • "the leaves lie deep and so crisp that a lizard makes a great skittering if he runs among them."
   • "the warm water...slipped twinkling over the yellow sands in the sunlight."

   Effect: The tactile imagery elicits a sensory response, inviting the reader to feel the texture of the crisp leaves and the warmth of the water. This sensory detail enhances the overall freshness of the scene, contributing to a peaceful, idyllic atmosphere while also suggesting vitality and life, as represented by the movement of animals.

3. Auditory Imagery:

   • "the damp flats are covered with the night tracks of 'coons, and with the spread pads of dogs from the ranches, and with the split-wedge tracks of deer that come to drink in the dark."

   Effect: Although this example doesn’t directly describe sound, the mention of animal tracks cues the reader into a lively, nocturnal ambiance of the setting. The imagery evokes a sense of unseen activity and life, implying that, while serene during the day, the area buzzes with the quiet noises of wildlife at night. This duality reinforces themes of presence and absence, foreshadowing the companionship and solitude experienced by the characters throughout the novel.

Conclusion

The use of vivid imagery in this passage from Of Mice and Men enriches the narrative by conveying a strong sense of place, evoking sensory experiences, and hinting at the themes of companionship and loneliness. Steinbeck's imagery allows readers to immerse themselves in the landscape, setting the tone for the relationships and struggles of the characters, as well as the contrasts between beauty and hardship that color their lives. The natural setting stands as a silent witness to the unfolding of the human story, both nurturing and indifferent.