Needless to say that this is a great book because of its popularity but it is well written. Though the end is no surprise in any way, the author manages to get sympathy for the characters all through the story. He doesn’t make anyone to be bad character but instead makes us fell compassionate toward him or her.
John Steinback covers a large scope in this book. The two main topics covered were the impossibility of the American dream and the loss of the weak to the strong. Their desire to own a farm but is never fulfilled, and the dream of Curly’s wife of being a movie star that never came true is proof of the how difficult it is to achieve the dream. Also the book takes place in California where many come for a better life but only end up being ranch hands. The unintentional killing of all the small animals to Lennie is parallel to the destruction of the weak to the strong. There are many shows of strength in the novel; man over man, man over animal, also brain over brawn, in example George uses his intelligence to control Lennie. The theme of oppression also make appearances in the book, showing that those who are at their worst still seek to destroy those who are worse off than themselves in attempts to feel better. When Crooks (the black man with a crooked back) laughs at Lennie when he confesses to the dream of owning a farm. It shows that oppression doesn’t always come from the strong or the powerful.
All the characters in this story seem to all have a sort of hang –up. Candy, an old worker, who’s lost a hand in an accident fears he will end up with the same as his old dog, being put out because he will no longer be useful. Crooks the lonely black stable hand is isolated and in effect becomes bitter and cruel but just genuinely wants company. Curly’s wife (who by the way isn’t given a name) saucy behavior and provocative conduct is a way to compensate the lonely and unhappy marriage between herself ad her husband Curly. The only character that doesn’t seem to be burdened is Slim. He gives off a sense of fulfillment and peace. For his easygoing nature, many go to him for his advise and often take heed to his suggestions.
Lenny and George are like two pieces of a puzzle that complete a picture; each has a characteristic that seems to have evaded the other. Lenny is very large in size but lacks intelligence where in George is very sharp but deficient in physical strength. In return for George’s guidance Lennie grants him protection, and they are both offered companionship.
The depth of the book can be seen in both the two main characters of the story and in the symbolism that was used in it. Various things were used in this novel with symbolism. The whole idea of having a farm is the most important and carries the story out, the dream is the most important item used symbolically. The farm represents protection from others and the cruelties of the world, freedom, and self-reliance that both and other characters so desperately seek. Though George knows that in reality the farm is probably unattainable, he still hangs on to the idea in hope for better times and a better life for lennie and himself. The Lennie’s puppy is one of the many symbols that represent the loss of the weak to the strong. Lennie killed his puppy because he did not realize his own strength (what Lennie does not realize is that he will soon be victim to those who are stronger than him.) Candy’s dog is a very important detail in the book because it foreshadows the faith that Lennie will be doomed to have. The dog was shot out of mercy and compassion, just like Lennie will soon be by his best friend to be kept from suffering.
Of Mice and Men was written 1937 after which the country was already going through the Great Depression. During this time farming increased, and the swell in farming caused the soil in the Mid- west to erode beginning what we know as the Dust Bowl. This caused many farmers to leave their own farms and go to California to work as farm hands. This was very fitting to the works of the time. It portrayed the hard times and pains that people in that time period had to endure.
Today the book has become very popular and considered a classic by many. This book is read at least once throughout everyone’s high school career. John Steinback has won a noble prize, and another of his books, “grapes of wrath”, which also describes a families plight during the same time as “Of Mice and Men” is also included as a classic.
Though it is still read, it isn’t looked at the same way. As the times have changed people cannot relate to it directly like they were when it was first written. Though many of the themes can apply to people no matter the time.