Mice And Men
Characterization is how the author creates his characters and integrates them into the story to produce themes and stories that provoke reader response. Through this we catch a glimpse of not only the authors attitudes and values but also the way that he wishes to elicit a response in the reader. I believe that Steinbeck wants the reader to sit and think about how we really operate as a society and to maybe change the way that we judge people by face value.
The main theme that I believe Steinbeck accomplishes in conveying to the reader is that of social acceptance and, more specifically, the reactions that societies produce when faced with something they do not understand or know. This theme is explored widely in the book, thanks to the use of very different characters and their different reactions toward Lennie and George. Perhaps ironically, the characters that might be considered more stable or certain of themselves exhibit the more dramatic reactions. This is maybe due to a fear of the disruptions the newcomers may cause. For example, the ranch owner's son Curly produces he more violent reaction to Lennie, punching him and trying to box with him after misconstruing the reason behind a simple smile. Other, less intimidating reactions are presented by Slim, who with his easy going nature invites them calmly into his friendship, and Candy who clings to his hope that he can help Lennie and George realise their dream and perhaps play a little part in it.
Various sub-themes relating to the main theme also begin to become apparent throughout the book, one of which is people fearing what they do not understand. The character that Steinbeck uses to portray this feature of human society is Curley's wife. After allowing Lennie to stroke her hair, she doesn't understand that he doesn't like to let go of soft things and subsequently Lennie accidentally kills her with his strength. Both characters are guilty of misunderstanding the situation, which by all means should not have ended in such disaster should the characters have understood and perhaps trusted each other a bit more. However, the mistrust fits in with the mentality of the characters (excluding Lennie, who trusts too much) who in the setting and time of that period were brought up not to trust anyone, let alone some strangers from out of town.
Which leads this analysis to the next topic, alienation. Although Lennie and George are warily accepted by some in the ranch, there is still the feeling that they don't belong. Through the various actions (and sometimes lack of actions) of other characters we are reminded that Lennie and George are outsiders, aliens among their own countrymen. Their lifestyle inhibits their ability to interact and their characters reflect this. George is sly, slick and almost manic in his suspicion of everyone, which although necessary completely blocks any attempts at friendship unless it is very cleverly administered. Lennie also fails to properly interact with anyone, although not for lack of trying. He doesn't communicate due to George's fear of him ruining their dream and all it stands for in one wrongly blurted out sentence.
The final theme that I believe that Steinbeck wishes to put across strongly consists of the "cruel to be kind" argument. That is, whether a cruelty in the face of a greater cruelty is considered kind. Illustrated quite starkly relative to the rest of the stories themes (most of which are subtly embedded in the story), this theme is illustrated at the end of the book when George shoots Lennie in the back of the head instead of letting the revenge filled ranch members get to him. Really, I believe it is an example about how humans can do anything, no matter how cruel, disgusting or wrong, as long as they think it is the 'right' thing to do.
As you can see, characterization and the situations that these characters find themselves in is extremely important in what the reader is led to interpret and react to.