Chapter Two – Of Mice and Men Literary Elements and Definitions

1. Chapter Two – Of Mice and Men Literary Elements and Definitions

2. Simile • A comparison using “like” or “as” • “No, but he’s a hell of a good worker. Strong as a bull.” (22)

3. Metaphor • A comparison without using “like” or “as” • “Well you stay away from her George, she’s a rattrap if I ever seen one.” (32)

4. Foreshadowing • An author’s use of hints or clues to suggest events that will occur later in the story. Not all foreshadowing is obvious. Frequently, future events are merely hinted at through dialogue, description, or the attitudes and reactions of the characters.

5. Irony • Irony is a contrast between what appears to be and what actually is. • Occurs when things are not as they seem • Where did irony appear in chapter two? LennieSmall

6. Double Entendre • a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Often the first meaning is straightforward, while the second meaning is less so; often risqué, inappropriate, or ironic. • “You can’t blame a person for lookin’.” (31)

7. Idiom • A phrase or expression used to express an idea; often not meant to be taken literally. • “Curley’s got ants in his pants”

8. Dialect • Refers to the way characters speak. • Through Lennie’s dialect, we can tell that he is mentally disabled.