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Of Mice and Men
by John Steinbeck
20th Century Novel
Overview
Of Mice and Men tells the story of George and Lennie, two migrant workers during the Great Depression who dream of owning their own farm. The novella explores themes of friendship, loneliness, dreams, and the harsh reality of the American Dream as the vulnerable Lennie's actions lead to a tragic conclusion.
Plot Summary
- 1George and Lennie arrive at a ranch in California seeking work
- 2They share a dream of owning a small farm where Lennie can tend to rabbits
- 3Lennie accidentally kills a puppy and then Curley's wife while petting her hair
- 4George realizes Lennie will be lynched or imprisoned
- 5George finds Lennie by the river and shoots him mercifully while describing their dream
- 6The ranch workers arrive as George stands over Lennie's body
Key Themes
- •The impossibility of the American Dream for the marginalized
- •Loneliness and companionship
- •The vulnerability of the powerless
- •Mercy killing and moral choices
- •Strength versus weakness
- •The harsh reality versus dreams
Main Characters
- George Milton: Small, intelligent worker who cares for Lennie
- Lennie Small: Large, mentally disabled man with incredible strength
- Candy: Old ranch worker who wants to join George and Lennie's dream
- Curley: Aggressive boss's son who bullies others
- Curley's wife: Lonely woman seeking attention on the ranch
- Slim: Respected, wise ranch worker
Historical & Literary Context
- Published in 1937 during the Great Depression
- Set in California's agricultural Salinas Valley where Steinbeck grew up
- Reflects the lives of itinerant workers during economic hardship
- Explores the failure of the American Dream for the poor and vulnerable
- Written in a sparse, dramatic style influenced by theater
Exam Relevance & Tips
- Analyze how Steinbeck presents the theme of loneliness through different characters
- Examine the relationship between George and Lennie and its significance
- Discuss how the American Dream is portrayed and why it fails
- Consider the role of power and powerlessness in the novella
- Explore the moral complexity of the ending and George's decision
Why This Matters
Of Mice and Men remains a powerful and accessible exploration of how economic hardship affects the vulnerable. Its examination of friendship in a harsh world, the gap between dreams and reality, and the moral complexities of mercy killing continues to provoke important discussions about compassion, justice, and the cost of survival.