Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men was published in 1937, after John Steinbeck had achieved literary acclaim with his novel Tortilla Flat but before he wrote his better known works The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden. The story epitomizes the themes and ideas that Steinbeck propounded throughout his novels: the plight of the labourers, the perils of isolation, and the hope for a better future. Set in California during the Great Depression, Of Mice and Men is an excellent vehicle to learn about the life and times of migrant works in the 1930s. With its beautiful descriptive passages, easily accessible dialogue, and fast-paced timeline, it is very easy to follow along. Readers are drawn in by the memorable characters that, ironically, represent a segment of society that was largely ignored in its day. Analysing the balance of power, the importance of friendship, and the role of dreams in our lives allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of the text while applying valuable lessons to their own lives. 

Of Mice and Men is set in the Salinas Valley of Southern California in the late 1930’s, the era of the Great Depression. Like many writers of the Modern Period (1915-1945), John Steinbeck attempts to make sense of the early decades of the 20th century; he sees the humanity in a class of people who are often ignored by writers and by society at large. These issues are further developed in Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. 

Born in Salinas Califonia in 1902 to a middle class family, when Steinbeck was a young adult, he spent his summer vacations working as a hired hand on local ranches. His interactions with the people he met during those summers greatly influenced the characters he created throughout his career. In an interview following the publication of Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck revealed that all the characters in the novel are composites based on real people. 

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Themes to date:

The American Dream

Empathy and Sympathy

“Guys like us, that work on
ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world."


Motifs:

Soft things

The story



Ideas to consider

Steinbeck writes about the common man

the symbiotic relationship between the characters

the extensive use of simple but powerful imagery