Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Context and Setting

• Written by John Steinbeck in 1937
• Set during the Great Depression in California, USA
• ranches and farms provide the backdrop for the story

Characters

George Milton

• Small, intelligent, and resourceful
• Looks out for Lennie, his friend and companion
• Dreams of a better life, owning a farm

Lennie Small

• Large, simple-minded, and incredibly strong
• Loves soft things, like rabbits
• Often gets into trouble due to his strength and lack of understanding

Candy

• Old ranch hand who has lost his hand
• Feels useless and lonely
• Has a beloved dog that is shot by Carlson

Curley

• Son of the ranch owner
• Mean, aggressive, and short-tempered
• Recently married to Curley's wife

Curley's Wife

• Lonely and flirtatious
• Dreams of a life in the movies
• Causes trouble with the ranch hands

Crooks

• Black stable buck
• Intelligent and lonely
• Lives in the barn, away from the others

Themes

The American Dream

• George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm
• Elusive and often unattainable
• Represents a sense of hope and freedom

Loneliness and Isolation

• Many characters are lonely and isolated
• Candy's loss of his hand, Curley's wife's lack of connection
• Highlights the difficulties of ranch life

Friendship and Loyalty

• George and Lennie's strong bond
• George's decision to shoot Lennie at the end
• Demonstrates the power of friendship and loyalty

Power and Weakness

• Lennie's physical strength vs. his mental weakness
• Curley's aggression vs. his insecurity
• Explores the dynamics of power and weakness

Symbolism

The Farm

• Represents a sense of security and stability
• A symbol of the American Dream
• Elusive and often unattainable

Rabbits

• Represent Lennie's desire for soft, gentle things
• Symbolize the innocence and fragility of life

The River

• Provides a sense of comfort and peace
• Represents the characters' desire to escape their troubles

Style and Structure

Third-Person Narrative

• The story is told from an outside perspective
• Allows the reader to see into the characters' thoughts and feelings

Foreshadowing

• Events hint at the tragic ending
• Creates a sense of tension and foreboding

Imagery and Description

• Vivid descriptions of the setting and characters
• Creates a sense of atmosphere and mood

Critical Reception

• Initially received mixed reviews
• Now considered a classic of American literature
• Praised for its exploration of the human condition