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Definition of Motif
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of... read full definition
Key Examples in Of Mice and Men
Part 1
Explanation and Analysis—Rabbits:
Rabbits serve as a prominent motif in Of Mice and Men. Having seen some long-haired rabbits many years ago at a carnival, Lennie develops an obsession with rabbits due to their soft fur. His dream is to someday raise rabbits on the property that he hopes to own with George. Often, he asks George to describe their future home, and their rabbits, as if he is telling a bed-time story:
“O.K. Someday—we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and——” “An’ live off the fatta the lan’,” Lennie shouted. “An’ have rabbits. Go on, George! Tell about what we’re gonna have in the garden and about the rabbits in the cages and about the rain in the winter and the stove, and how thick the cream is on the milk like you can hardly cut it. Tell about that, George.”
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Soft Textures:
Lennie’s attraction to soft textures such as fur and clothing serves as a major motif in Of Mice and Men. At various points in the novella, Lennie, misunderstanding his own great strength, accidentally hurts or kills the animals or people whom he intends to stroke gently. These incidents come to shape the lives of Lennie and George. Reflecting upon a past incident in Weed, California, during which Lennie held onto a girl’s dress, George states:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Jus’ wanted to feel that girl’s dress—jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse——Well, how the hell did she know you jus’ wanted to feel her dress? She jerks back and you hold on like it was a mouse. She yells and we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day with guys lookin’ for us, and we got to sneak out in the dark and get outta the country. All the time somethin’ like that—all the time. I wisht I could put you in a cage with about a million mice an’ let you have fun.”
Related Themes:
Part 4
Explanation and Analysis—Confession:
Due to the fact that Lennie is simple and forgetful, other characters often speak to him about private concerns they feel they cannot share with others. This desire to make confessions to Lennie is a prominent motif in the novella. Crooks, for example, does not often speak to the other workers on the ranch because he is often separated from them due to his race. However, Crooks is far less reticent with Lennie, and he shares his background with him while they chat in the barn:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“I ain’t a southern negro,” he said. “I was born right here in California. My old man had a chicken ranch, ’bout ten acres. The white kids come to play at our place, an’ sometimes I went to play with them, and some of them was pretty nice. My ol’ man didn’t like that. I never knew till long later why he didn’t like that. But I know now.” He hesitated, and when he spoke again his voice was softer. [...] “A guy can talk to you an’ be sure you won’t go blabbin’ [...] George knows what he’s about. Jus’ talks, an’ you don’t understand nothing.”
Related Themes:
Part 5
Explanation and Analysis—Confession:
Due to the fact that Lennie is simple and forgetful, other characters often speak to him about private concerns they feel they cannot share with others. This desire to make confessions to Lennie is a prominent motif in the novella. Crooks, for example, does not often speak to the other workers on the ranch because he is often separated from them due to his race. However, Crooks is far less reticent with Lennie, and he shares his background with him while they chat in the barn:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“I ain’t a southern negro,” he said. “I was born right here in California. My old man had a chicken ranch, ’bout ten acres. The white kids come to play at our place, an’ sometimes I went to play with them, and some of them was pretty nice. My ol’ man didn’t like that. I never knew till long later why he didn’t like that. But I know now.” He hesitated, and when he spoke again his voice was softer. [...] “A guy can talk to you an’ be sure you won’t go blabbin’ [...] George knows what he’s about. Jus’ talks, an’ you don’t understand nothing.”
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Soft Textures:
Lennie’s attraction to soft textures such as fur and clothing serves as a major motif in Of Mice and Men. At various points in the novella, Lennie, misunderstanding his own great strength, accidentally hurts or kills the animals or people whom he intends to stroke gently. These incidents come to shape the lives of Lennie and George. Reflecting upon a past incident in Weed, California, during which Lennie held onto a girl’s dress, George states:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“Jus’ wanted to feel that girl’s dress—jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse——Well, how the hell did she know you jus’ wanted to feel her dress? She jerks back and you hold on like it was a mouse. She yells and we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day with guys lookin’ for us, and we got to sneak out in the dark and get outta the country. All the time somethin’ like that—all the time. I wisht I could put you in a cage with about a million mice an’ let you have fun.”
Related Themes:
Part 6
Explanation and Analysis—Rabbits:
Rabbits serve as a prominent motif in Of Mice and Men. Having seen some long-haired rabbits many years ago at a carnival, Lennie develops an obsession with rabbits due to their soft fur. His dream is to someday raise rabbits on the property that he hopes to own with George. Often, he asks George to describe their future home, and their rabbits, as if he is telling a bed-time story:
Unlock with LitCharts A+“O.K. Someday—we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and——” “An’ live off the fatta the lan’,” Lennie shouted. “An’ have rabbits. Go on, George! Tell about what we’re gonna have in the garden and about the rabbits in the cages and about the rain in the winter and the stove, and how thick the cream is on the milk like you can hardly cut it. Tell about that, George.”
Related Themes:
