Top 10 Notes: Of Mice and Men

Born in Salinas, California in 1902, John Steinbeck worked on ranches when he was younger and began pursued writing as a profession after university. After taking up different jobs, he published his first novel in the late 1920s, but became most known with “Of Mice and Men” and “The Grapes of Wrath.” A decade after “East of Eden” was published, Steinbeck won the Nobel Prize for literature. He died in 1968.

While “Of Mice and Men”’s title is taken from a Robert Burns’ poem, the novella itself is inspired by Steinbeck’s time as a poor and homeless wanderer. The tragic drama is also influenced by his experiences working on ranches with migrant workers in the 1920s. It’s a novel about the natural world – “of mice” – and the social world – “and men.”

The novella is set during the Great Depression, which was a time of great economic decline, poverty and racism. Though people all over the U.S. were looking for work, the story takes place in Soledad, California and, more specifically around a ranch near the Salinas River Since many people felt alone and were distrustful of others, friendships were hard to come by.

Narrated by a third person, “Of Mice and Men” tells the story of two migrant ranch workers named George and Lennie. While trying to find work, they develop a close friendship and dream of one day owning their own land where Lennie can raise rabbits. In addition to making enough money to live, George needs to protect and take care of Lennie. While working in Soledad for the father of a man named Curley, they make plans to buy a farm with a ranch hand named Candy. However, things get complicated after Lennie accidentally hurts others, including breaking the neck of Curley’s wife. In order to prevent Lennie’s murder by the ranch hands, George ends his friend’s life.

George is a migrant field worker who’s clever despite a lack of education. He’s Lennie’s guardian and shares with him the dream of one day owning a ranch. He’s usually cautious with Lennie because he knows that his friend doesn’t understand all that he should and that he can’t always control his strength. But he’s also hopeful, responsible and idealistic. George demonstrates his compassionate side when he shoots Lennie to save him from the angry mob.

Despite being a big innocent man, Lennie and can’t control his own strength. Because his love for touching soft things has gotten him in trouble, he becomes completely dependent on his best friend and protector George. After Lennie unintentionally kills Curley’s wife, he becomes the target of the ranch hands. But George shoots him before he can meet his cruel death.

Candy is an old, one-handed handyman who offers to chip in with George and Lennie when they purchase their own land. Since he’s attached to his old dog, he appears to be a passive character. Slim is one of the most appreciated ranch hands on the farm and drives the mule team. He gives Lennie a puppy and is the only worker that Curley actually values. As the son of owner of the ranch, Curley is aggressive and jealous because of his flirtatious wife. His confrontational nature leads to a fight with Lennie and a broken hand.

The novella’s main theme is friendship: George and Lennie work together, share the same dreams and are loyal to one another. It also explores discrimination, whether it’s against race, sex or mental capacity. In addition, it looks at the themes of independence, justice and isolation, with the related theme of loneliness being especially significant: George and Lennie live lonely lives as ranch workers and often have to move from place to place.

Published in 1937, “Of Mice and Men” was well-received and quickly achieved popularity. Though it has been banned for questionable content in some areas, the novella is considered a masterpiece.

While it’s been adapted for other media, “Of Mice and Men” is probably most well-known for its screen versions. Notable adaptations include the Oscar-nominated 1939 movie and the Gary Sinise-directed 1992 film.

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