Language analysis on the book "Of Mice and Men"

Question

How do i analyse this along with describing what language devices are being used?

The sunshine lay in a thin line under the window. From a distance there could be heard a rattle of dishes. After a moment the ancient dog walked lamely in through the open door. He gazed about with mild, half-blind eyes. He sniffed, and then lay down and put his head between his paws. Curley popped into the doorway again and stood looking into the room. The dog raised his head, but when Curley jerked out, the grizzled head sank to the floor again

Answer 1

It's important to look at diction, or word choice, in this selection, as well as the imagery that is being used. For word choice, analyze words such as "lamely" and "ancient" and "grizzled" and consider the overall tone that is established with these words. What emotional response do the words evoke? There is a feeling of isolation that is established, particularly with the description of Curley "jerking" out of the room, and the dog who "sank" his head into the floor.

Consider imagery, and the use of sensory details. What can we hear, see, feel, etc. from the descriptions? Again, a sense of solitude is established in the actual lack of sounds. All we hear is a "rattle of dishes" but that is in the distance. The only sunshine we see is a "thin line" and it is also at a distance. What kind of feelings do these images evoke? Loneliness? Hopelesness? Is it melancholy?

Hope this helps.