Steinbeck's English Literary Techniques

Imagery: Mental images or figures that appear in the head when words are described. 

Imagery Example: “On one side of the river the golden foothill slopes curves up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains, but on the valley side the water is lined with trees-willows fresh and green every spring, carrying in their lower leaf junctures the debris of the winter flooding; and sycamores with mottled, while, recumbent limbs and branches that arch over the pool”

Characterization: A term where the author of a novel/play reveals a characters inner personality.

Characterization Example: "Curly was quick and mean."

Motif: A distinctive idea that comes to mind

Motif Example: "An' live off the fatta the lan'," this quote is describing the main idea behind the book.

Foreshadowing: To show or indicate beforehand

Foreshadowing Example: “And Lennie softly said to the puppy, ‘Why do you got to get killed? You ain’t so little as mice. I didn’t bounce you hard’”

Zoomorphism: The act in which a person is referred to as an animal of some sort

Zoomorphism Example: Lennie is described as a bear. "...and he walked heavily, dragging his feet a little, the way a bear drags his paws."

Suspense: A condition of uncertainty; usually comes with anxiety. 

Suspense Example: When Lennie doesn’t let go of the hair of Curley’s wife. “Lennie was in panic. His face was contorted. She screamed then, and Lennie’s other hand closed on her mouth and nose.”

Mood: A condition or feeling that a person is in/feeling.

Mood Example: "There was an embarrassed silence."

Round Character: A character who have big roles in the novel and who have a big say in things that happen in the novel. 

Round Character Example: "He damn near drowned before could get him out.....Well I ain't done nothing like that no more."

Flat Character: A character who does not have much say in the book, not as important, does not have a big role. 

Flat Character Example: The Boss is introduced at the beginning of the book.

Character Foils: Two characters that contrast each other.

Character Foils: George and Lennie are very good examples.  Lennie is big, strong and the person with little brain. While George is small, weaker but has the brains. Also George seems to be very good at reading the situation and always knows what is going on.But Lennie does not seem to know what is going on at all because he doesn’t get to experience or partake in these events. George always tells him to be quiet.

Symbolism: Something used to represent something; an object that represents something.

Symbolism Example: "He gathered some cards together and started shuffling"

Dialogue: the conversation between characters in a novel, drama, etc.

Dialogue Example: “‘No I ain’t’”

Setting: The place where a scene takes place. 

Setting Example: “One end of the great barn...”

Theme: A subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition; topic

Theme Example: "An' live off the fatta the lan’”. This describes how George and Lennie earn the money and be independent.