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Steinbeck’s Of Mice and MenThere are several differences between the original novel and Sinise’sfilm adaptation of Of Mice and Men, with some more obvious thanothers. The tweaks made in the film are made to create a similartensions but to a watching audience. In the book, Steinbeckconcentrates only on the barn scene, and we only a hear a raucoushubbub from the ring tournament outside, “Outside, the mens’ voicesbecame louder and clearer.” However, in the film, there are regularflashes between the two scenes to emphasise the contrast in moods.Where as we have Candy approaching the body of Curley’s wife incaution and then shock, outside we witness the jubilant tournamentatmosphere. There is a contrast in the dark barn symbolising the deathof Curley’s wife and thus the death of the dream, and the sunnyoutside symbolising light and hope for the future. If Steinbeckemployed flashes in the novel, it could become long-winded, and ruinthe tension that is created by the shattering of the dream.
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All throughout, the book “shows” and the film “tells.” When in thefilm George realises Curley’s wife is dead he produces a display ofemotions, and in the book we are shown this, “And fully, when he stoodup slowly and stiffly, his face was as hard and as tight as wood…”Both the novel and the film seek emotion and empathy in differentways. Steinbeck elects to highlight the shattering of the dream andits long term consequences, “‘You an’ me can get that little place,can’t we George?’” Sinise meanwhile is more subtle, and illustratesthe failure of the dream with melancholy music.
The book seems to revolve more around Candy’s moving realisation thatthe ‘dream’ is over, “George watched Candy’s lips.” Steinbeck focuseson Candy’s responses and his plea for reassurance, as he feels moreemotion is communicated in this old man who has had any hope ofprosperity ripped apart. The film tends to focus more on George, andhis forlorn expressions, possibly to create tension in preparation for
