The theme of power is prevalent in John Steinbeck's “Of Mice and Men” and is presented and developed in many different ways. Power is first established in the title, which introduces the recurring wrath of fate, implying that men, like beasts, are doomed, helpless, to live isolated and helpless lives. Some, however, seek comfort in their powerful dreams and companionship in their romanticized brotherly bonds, notably that of Lennie and George, whose unconditional love for another leaves the reader with questions about their own morality. Steinbeck's powerful prose, a unique and strong plot over a short period of time, moves the tragic events forward, and his depiction of the foreshadowing natural world gives the novella a certain aspect of duality. Steinbeck first introduces the power of fate into the underlying motif of imminence. disaster laid out in the title and opening chapter. The title can be seen as a powerful warning of the tragedy that will follow: "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry" is an extract from Robbie Burn's poem "To A Mouse". Steinbeck uses this title to reveal to the reader a harsh reality, the dark nature of human existence in the era of the Great Depression; characters seek power over their destiny but rarely obtain it, due to external forces beyond their control. The dead mouse in Lennie's pocket serves as a disturbing reiteration of the end that awaits weak and unsuspecting creatures at the hands of fate, after all, despite Lennie's great size and strength, his mental incapacity renders him as helpless as a mouse. Steinbeck further develops the power of fate in his repeated use of animal imagery that compares Lennie to a bear, a horse, and a terrier. The animals in the novel...... middle of paper...... external factors beyond anyone's control. Steinbeck develops the theme of power through his depiction of the foreshadowing natural world. Nature remains the only constant in a world of sporadic variables and power is accentuated in its duplicity. Outwardly, nature appears gentle, tranquil and imperturbable, but inside lies something much more sinister. The clearing that George and Lennie stumble into may resemble the Garden of Eden, but is in fact a place where dangers lurk at every turn. The rabbits who sit like "carved gray stones" "scurry silently" to hide at the sound of footsteps, alluding to the predatory world that will inevitably destroy George and Lennie. Through this, Steinbeck exposes nature as a powerful but vicious symbol of the cruelties of life, as its outward beauty establishes a sense of purity that the world cannot maintain..