'All characters in the novel 'Of Mice and Men' are either lonely, bored or in need of escaping from the soulless existence of the itinerant labour.'

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'All characters in the novel 'Of Mice and Men' are either lonely, bored or in need of escaping from the soulless existence of the itinerant labour.'

All characters in the novel 'Of Mice and Men' are either lonely, bored or in need of escaping from the soulless existence of the itinerant labour. This story is based on a society of men leading empty lives, trapped in a lonely life, consisting mainly of hard physical work. There was not enough happiness, love and affection in their lives. The novel is set in California, the Southern states of America, in the 1930's around the time of the 'Great Depression'. The ranch is based in 'Soledad'; which is the Spanish word for 'Loneliness'. The bunkhouse that the men sleep and live in is a long and rectangular building. The walls are white washed and the floor unpainted. In three of the four walls are small, square windows. In the fourth one was a solid door with a wooden latch. There are eight bunks, all with a nailed apple box over them with the opening forward. This made two small shelves for the personal belongings of each ranch hand occupying the certain bunk. On these shelves were little articles, soap, razors, talcum powder, Western magazines, medicines, little vials, combs and a few neckties. There was also a black cast iron stove, and a big square table in the centre of the room, with scattered playing cards across it, and surrounding the table were boxes for the men to sit on. The bunkhouse also had lice and roaches in it!
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In the story Carlson and the other ranch hands all dreamt of owning their own land and living and working from this, and they wished that they lived in wealth and in happiness. At this time it was known as the 'American Dream', this showed this was an opportunity to all people no matter how rich or poor they are. In the story there are a lot of government propaganda, informing people that if they work hard and push their ambitions to the limit, they can make this dream reality. However they all knew, no matter how hard ...

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