There are several reasons Steinbeck chose to begin and end
his novel at a pond. For the novels main characters, Lennie and George, the pond
alongside the Salinas River is pure and untainted, a far cry from the dusty ranch where
they would find work--and trouble-- the following day. The two men share a special bond
and dream of owning their own place. Since ranch hands typically work alone, this time
between them is one of reflection (especially in light of Lennie's recent "mistakes')
and candid discussion in their quest to seek upward social
mobility.
readability="10">"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the
loneliest guys in the world...They got no family. They don't belong no place...With us,
it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about
us"Because of Lennie's
mental limitations, he is incapable of understanding the consequences of his (past and
future) actions and George, his guardian of sorts, tells Lennie to return to the river
if things get difficult.It's only fitting that George and
Lennie meet again at the river, especially when George recognizes that he must shoot
Lennie to save him from lynching. For Lennie, water is safe, and the commune with
nature is the one place he knows things are 'ok'. It's also the restorative place where
things for both men were normal. In light of Lennie's visions, he realizes something's
amiss and wants nothing more than to have his puppy back and have the routine
back.Water is also thought to be cleansing and
spiritual, washing away any sins (think baptism), which would work for George's final
decision to shoot Lennie, a man who is like the mice he pets, weak, at the mercy of
society. For George to refocus and recharge he has to be away from society's
temptations (drinking and Curley's wife) while Lennie, in his childlike state, must be
protected from a cruel world. The only path to redemption lies at the pond and away
from civilization.Another interesting path to explore is
the significance of the water snake/heron at both the beginning and end...there is a
role reversal that might play into your pond idea.Hope
that helps.
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