The classic novel "Of Mice and Men" written by the author John Steinbeck is an embodiment of a literary masterpiece, for it is littered with effective literary and stylistic devices that enrich the text and give the storyline more meaning and depth. These devices include motifs, symbolism, imagery, allusions, and a variety of different types of characters such as archetypes, stereotypes, and allegorical figures. A significant device that is deftly used by the author which serves a variety of vital purposes in the novel is the motif of dogs. Dogs are a reoccurring literary motif that is effectively used to describe the characters, foreshadow events, and represent various themes and ideas.

Dogs reoccur in a variety of different situations in the novel. At the start of the novel, Lennie is compared to a dog: "Slowly, like a terrier who doesn't want to bring a ball to its master...