John Steinbeck's use of figurative language and local colors in Cannery Row, Sweet Thursday, and Of Mice and Men shows his growth as a writer and highlights the recurring theme of loneliness and of ostracism. The time gap between these books shows Steinbeck growing as he experiences more throughout his life. Steinbeck's novels are always set in California due to his extensive knowledge of the area as he lived in the area his entire life. In all his works the characters use parts of speech and actions that are customary in that area. Steinbeck's personal life significantly influences the themes of his writings. In 1934 and 1935 Steinbeck lost both his mother and father, which made him see the world with a much darker perspective. Then in 1937, Of Mice and Men was published which revealed his negative outlook by ultimately having George kill Lennie, showing that loneliness would overwhelm George just like the loneliness Steinbeck was dealing with in his personal life. In 1945 the unhappy Steinbeck, who supposedly had everything he could have wanted, left his dream home in Monterey and never returned. In the same year, Cannery Row was published which also portrays a feeling of loneliness through Doc. Steinbeck's writing suffered after the loss of his close friend Ed Ricketts in 1948, which influenced his writing of Sweet Thursday because Ricketts was the model for the character main Doc. Steinbeck's theme of loneliness is continued in this novel. At the beginning of Sweet Thursday Mack is alone because everyone has gone to war except him. Then Suzy shows up in town without a single family member or friend. Joe Elegant is also isolated because he is “different” from Mack and the bo...... middle of paper ...... so he uses a generous amount of figurative language to portray Slim. Slim is depicted using a metaphor as "a skinner, the prince of the ranch". Slim is also said to have had hands that were "large and thin, as delicate in their actions as those of a temple dancer." Which is expressed through the practice of a simile. George also describes Lennie, using a simile, as "I'm like a child." Steinbeck also practices a dialect that is familiar with the area and time through a metaphor by having George say, "Lennie and I will roll up a stake." This means saving some money. The puppy that dies because of Lennie petting it is a symbol of Curley's wife who also later dies because Lennie pets her hair. The water serpent at the end of the story is representative in nature as it glides "gently along the pool" foreshadowing the evil that looms over Lennie's fate..