"Of Mice and Men's" main characters, Lennie and George are as different as night and day. That simile, along with others taken directly from text, is a technique John Steinbeck uses frequently and effectively in the story. The following comparisons using like or as are short in length, but they easily paint a picture and draw the reader into the story right from the beginning.
             One simile, from the first chapter, begins "Slowly, like a terrier, who doesn't want to bring a ball to its master, Lennie approached, drew back, approached again." This is a vivid word picture. The reader can imagine a small dog playing with its owner. The animal wants to give the ball back almost as much as it wants to keep it. Therefore, it draws back and approaches the master several times. Like the dog, Lennie doesn't want to turn the dead mouse he's found over to George. But George insists and then must explain that this is for Lennie's own good. As a reader, I felt Lennie's hesitation and George's forcefulness.
             Another simile from that same chapter is "Blubbering' like a baby! Jesus Christ! A big guy like you!" As we read the story, it doesn't take long to establish each character's personality. Lennie is a huge man with little intelligence and even less maturity. Imagining him getting upset about being told "no" by George does conjure up the image of a baby or small child whining and crying. Although this occurs early in the novel, we already have an understanding of each man, from strengths to weaknesses. We also see the nature of their relationship through Steinbeck's talent using similes.
             "Her hair hung in little rolled clusters, like sausages." This comparison comes from the second chapter. Steinbeck is describing Curley's wife as both George and Lennie see her for the first time. The full description of her creates...