Choose a novel or short story in which there is an obvious climax or turning point.
Show how the writer leads up to this climax and say what its significance is for the rest of the story. In your own answer you must refer to the text, and to at least 2 of: structure, plot, key incidents, or any other appropriate feature.
In Of Mice and Men the most obvious and significant climax or even turning point would have to be the murder of Curley's Wife. To prepare the reader for this, Steinbeck writes about a number of episodes that are tragic, but not as tragic as the main climax, and others to show off Lennie's strength, stupidity and naivety. Doing this allows Steinbeck to have the climax without upsetting the reader by making them sad or not understand it was possible for a man to kill without realising it or having any intension of doing so. .
The first of the mini tragedies, that lead up to the main tragedy was when Candy's dog was shot. Steinbeck attempts to make the reader feel sympathy for Candy by creating a strong tone of tension in the bunk-house. When George and Lennie first meet Candy, his dog is mentioned in his description as if it was a part of him and clearly states Candy's admiration of it: "God, he was a good sheep-dog when he was younger." So by the time Carlson shoots the dog the reader is made to feel great sympathy for Candy for the dog was his only companion on the ranch. After the dog is led outside, the whole bunk-house goes into an awkward conversation with many silent moments, the tension increases and Candy's body language is described as he "lay rigidly on his bed staring at the ceiling". When the shot was heard Candy "rolled slowly over and faced the wall and lay silent." Because of this melancholy, but necessary action, our sense of foreboding increases. .
Additionally Steinbeck then demonstrates the immense strength that Lennie possesses when he crushes Curley's hand and makes him "(flop) like a fish on a line".