Of Mice and Men is a renowned novella by American author John Steinbeck. Published in 1937, it has been hailed as one of the cornerstones of American literature due to its exploration of themes that resonate deeply with the universal human experience. The story is set during the Great Depression and follows two migrant ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, as they move across California in search of employment.
George is small and sharp-witted, taking care of Lennie, who, despite his immense physical strength, possesses the mental faculties of a child. They share a dream of one day owning their own land and achieving a sense of independence and peace. This common hope is a central component to their story, serving as a beacon of hope in their otherwise tumultuous existence. However, as is often the case with Steinbeck's works, this dream is met with insurmountable obstacles. Their employment on a new ranch introduces complexities and challenges that threaten to unravel both their plans and their friendship.
Of Mice and Men explores themes of friendship, loneliness, the pursuit of dreams in the face of adversity, and our responsibility to look out for one another in an often unkind world. Described by Steinbeck as "a kind of playable novel, written in novel form but so scened and set that it can be played as it stands, " the work has been adapted successfully on stage and screen numerous times. Of Mice and Men has also faced censorship challenges, being frequently targeted for its language and social commentary. Nevertheless, it remains a staple of American literature, celebrated for its insight, empathy, and Steinbeck's unmatched storytelling prowess.
Themes
The American Dream
Friendship and solitude
Powerlessness and fate
Oppression and abuse
Loneliness
Hope and disillusionment
Perceptions of strength and weakness
Injustice
The nature of dreams
Responsibility and sacrifice
Setting
Of Mice and Men takes place during the Great Depression, a period of severe economic downturn and hardship in the United States. The specific setting is the Salinas Valley of California, a region known for its fertile land and agricultural practices. This geographical area serves as a backdrop to the transient, agriculture-focused lives of the central characters, George and Lennie. The narrative follows these characters as they navigate the challenging economic and social conditions of the era, seeking stability and the realization of their dreams amidst widespread poverty and desperation. The Salinas Valley, with its expansive farms and ranches, becomes a significant stage where the themes of friendship, dreams, and the harsh realities of life are explored through George and Lennie's experiences. The setting not only provides the physical context for the story but also reflects the novella's broader themes of loneliness, powerlessness, and the elusive nature of the American Dream.
Characters
George Milton: A quick-witted man who is Lennie's guardian and best friend. His intelligence and caring nature complicate his dream of a better future.
Lennie Small: A physically strong but mentally challenged man who travels with George. His love for soft things and lack of awareness of his own strength lead to tragic consequences.
Candy: An aging ranch handyman who lost his hand in an accident. He fears for his future and is eager to join George and Lennie’s dream for a bit of security and companionship.
Slim: A highly respected "jerkline skinner" whose natural authority and kindness make him the moral compass of the ranch. He understands George and Lennie’s relationship deeply.
Curley: The Boss's aggressive son with a Napoleon complex, who takes an instant dislike to Lennie. His jealousy and short temper cause many problems on the ranch.
Curley's wife: A lonely, unnamed woman who is mistrusted by her husband and the ranch hands. Her desperation for attention and dreams of a better life end tragically.
Crooks: The solitary Black stable hand. His isolation and bitterness due to racism and his crooked back provide a glimpse into deeper themes of loneliness and dreams.
Candy's dog: An old, disabled dog, reflecting Candy's fears about his own future. His death foreshadows later tragic events.
Carlson: A ranch hand who advocates for the killing of Candy's dog. His lack of sympathy and practicality represent the harsh realities of the world Steinbeck describes.
The Boss: Curley's father and superintendent of the ranch, he represents authority and the distant, impersonal force of capitalism.
Whit: A young ranch hand who reveals the transient and uncertain lives of the workers through his small role.
Critical reception
Upon its publication in 1937, Of Mice and Men received widespread praise from literary critics, cementing John Steinbeck's reputation as one of the great American authors. "There's a simplicity, a directness, a poignancy in the story that gives it a singular power, difficult to define," noted Kirkus Reviews, proclaiming: "Steinbeck is a genius and an original." The Saturday Review of Literature concurred: "The story is simple but superb in its understatements, its realisms which are used not to illustrate behavior, but for character and situation." The New Republic emphasized the novella for displaying "a common demoninator of good imaginative writing, a shadow of the action that means something beyond the action." The New York Times hailed it as "a thriller, a gripping tale ... that you will not set down until it is finished," adding: "Steinbeck has touched the quick."
FAQS
What is Of Mice and Men about?
The novella follows the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant ranch workers in California's Salinas Valley during the Great Depression, who move from place to place in search of job opportunities and dream of one day owning their own farm.
What themes are explored in Of Mice and Men?
Major themes in the novella include loneliness, friendship, dreams and aspirations, powerlessness, and fate. Of Mice and Men also explores the human need for companionship and how loneliness can lead to destructive actions.
What is the significance of the title?
The title is taken from a line from "To a Mouse," written by Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley" (The best laid plans of mice and men / Often go awry). It reflects how the characters' dreams and plans are ultimately destroyed.
Why is Of Mice and Men controversial?
Though often assigned to high school and college students for its literary value and social significance, Of Mice and Men has been frequently banned or challenged due to its use of offensive and racist language, portrayal of violence, and references to euthanasia.
What is the significance of animals in the story?
Animals play an important symbolic role in Of Mice and Men, representing the characters' dreams and aspirations. Lennie's love for soft creatures like rabbits reflects his childlike innocence, while the predatory heron symbolizes the harsh reality that snatches away their dreams.
What is the relationship between George and Lennie?
George and Lennie share a deep and unbreakable bond of friendship, with George acting as a protector and caretaker for the intellectually challenged Lennie. Their dream of owning a farm is what sustains their relationship.
What is the significance of Curley's wife in the novella?
Curley's wife represents the unfulfilled dreams and loneliness of women in the 1930s. Her flirtatious behavior and quest for attention ultimately lead to her tragic death, highlighting the powerlessness and limitations faced by women during that era.
What is the role of Crooks in the story?
Crooks, the Black stable hand, represents the racial discrimination and isolation faced by African Americans during the Great Depression. His desire to join George and Lennie's dream reflects his longing for acceptance and equality.
How doesOf Mice and Men portray the American Dream?
The novella explores the idea of the American Dream through George and Lennie's desire to own a homestead and be self-sufficient. However, their dream ultimately remains unfulfilled, reflecting the harsh realities and limitations faced by migrant workers during the Great Depression and even today.
How has Of Mice and Men been adapted?
The novella has been adapted into several stage productions, films, an opera, and radio plays. Notable screen adaptations include the 1939 film starring Lon Chaney Jr. and Burgess Meredith and the 1992 film directed by Gary Sinise.
Quotes
“Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.”
“I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why. “
“As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a moment. And sound stopped and movement stopped for much, much more than a moment.”
“A guy needs somebody to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick.”
“Guy don't need no sense to be a nice fella. Seems to me sometimes it jus' works the other way around. Take a real smart guy and he ain't hardly ever a nice fella.”
“His ear heard more than what was said to him, and his slow speech had overtones not of thought, but of understanding beyond thought.”
“Trouble with mice is you always kill 'em.”
“We know what we got, and we don't care whether you know it or not.”
Quick facts
Before settling on Of Mice and Men as the title, Steinbeck considered calling his novella "Something That Happened."
Steinbeck's dog, named Toby, ate an early draft of the novella, causing Steinbeck to rewrite much of the work.
The title Of Mice and Men is derived from a poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns called "To a Mouse," which Steinbeck read during the writing process.
Steinbeck aimed to write a novel that could be played directly from its pages on stage, naming the writing style a "play-novelette."
The novella was chosen as a Book of the Month Club selection before it was published and received widespread acclaim, including being chosen as Best Play in 1938 by the New York Drama Critics' Circle for its stage adaptation.
Of Mice and Men marked Steinbeck's first attempt at writing in the aforementioned "play-novelette" format, intending the piece to be both a narrative and a playable script.
A character not in the book but introduced in the opera adaptation is The Ballad Singer, highlighting the creative liberties taken in different adaptations.
Steinbeck modeled his fictional characters on real people he encountered. The character of Lennie was inspired by a man the author met during his time working with migrant farm laborers.
The first screen adaptation of Of Mice and Men debuted in 1939, just two years after the book’s publication. Directed by Lewis Milestone, the film stars Burgess Meredith as Lennie and Lon Chaney Jr. as George.
About the author
John Steinbeck was an acclaimed American novelist, journalist, and writer. He is best known for his novels depicting the lives of the working class and migrant workers in California, frequently exploring themes of economic hardship, injustice, bigotry, and loneliness. The Grapes of Wrath (1939), which follows the Joad family during the Dust Bowl migration, cemented his reputation as a voice for the oppressed and disenfranchised in America. Some of his other notable works include Tortilla Flat (1935), In Dubious Battle (1936), Of Mice and Men (1937), Cannery Row (1945), The Pearl (1947), and the family saga he considered his magnum opus, East of Eden (1952).
Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, in 1902 and spent his formative years in the agriculture-rich Salinas Valley. He attended Stanford University intermittently between 1920 and 1926, but never received a degree. Instead, he focused on writing, often supporting himself as a manual laborer. In addition to his fiction, he collaborated on a study of the fauna of the Gulf of California, Sea of Cortez (1941), and served as a war correspondent during World War II and the Vietnam War. He also traveled widely, keeping a lifelong curiosity about people and places. In one of his last works, Travels with Charley (1962), he recounts a cross-country road trip with his dog where he rediscovers America.
Steinbeck won a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award for The Grapes of Wrath. In 1962, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for "his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perception." However, the decision was criticized by some in the literary community who felt his work did not rise to that level. The author responded with grace, stating frankly that he did not believe he deserved the award.
John Steinbeck died of heart disease on December 20, 1968, at his home in New York City. He remains an influential figure in American literature.
