Of Mice and Men
Prompt #21 · Of Mice and Men
Prompt Type: Symbol/Motif
Hands and touching form a recurring motif throughout the novel, from Lennie's desire to pet soft things to the crushing of Curley's hand. Analyze how Steinbeck uses this physical motif to explore themes of power, gentleness, and violence. Explain how it contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.
Quote 1
"... Here—feel right here." She took Lennie's hand and put it on her head. "Feel right aroun' there an' see how soft it is."
Chapter 5
Argument
This quote directly depicts the hand/touching motif at the moment of tragic transition, where Curley's wife literally places Lennie's hand on her hair, transforming his gentle desire to touch soft things into the catalyst for violence. The physical act of touching here embodies the collision between Lennie's innocent gentleness and his uncontrolled power.
Quote 2
"Look out, now, you’ll muss it." And then she cried angrily, "You stop it now, you’ll mess it all up." She jerked her head sideways, and Lennie’s fingers closed on her hair and hung on.
Chapter 5
Argument
This quote shows the hand motif evolving from gentleness to violence as Lennie's fingers close and hang on to her hair, demonstrating how his physical strength transforms touch from tender to deadly. The progression from stroking to gripping illustrates Steinbeck's exploration of how power without control corrupts even gentle intentions.
Quote 3
“And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie’s head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger.”
Chapter 6
Argument
This quote presents the hand motif in its final, most paradoxical form—George's shaking hand holding the gun represents both violent power and merciful gentleness as he steadies it to kill Lennie. The trembling hand that ultimately steadies itself encapsulates the novel's central tension between violence and compassion, showing how touch can simultaneously destroy and protect.
Quote 4
“He reached in his side pocket and brought out Carlson’s Luger; he snapped off the safety, and the hand and gun lay on the ground behind Lennie’s back.”
Chapter 6
Argument
This quote explicitly features the hand motif in its penultimate moment, as George's hand holds the gun behind Lennie's back, positioning the physical act of touching as both protective (the hand) and violent (the weapon). The hand lying on the ground bridges the novel's exploration of how physical contact can embody contradictory impulses of care and destruction.
Quote 5
“And she continued to struggle, and her eyes were wild with terror. He shook her then, and he was angry with her. "Don’t you go yellin’," he said, and he shook her; and her body flopped like a fish. And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck.”
Chapter 5
Argument
This quote directly depicts the hand motif's transformation from gentle touching to violent shaking, as Lennie's physical actions progress from stroking to shaking until her body 'flopped like a fish.' The hands that sought softness become instruments of death, crystallizing Steinbeck's exploration of how uncontrolled power corrupts the gentlest touch into fatal violence.