MICE AND MEN
John Steinbeck's novel, Of Mice and Men, was first published in 1937. At the time, America was still suffering the grim aftermath of the depression and the itinerant workers who form the basis of the novel were very much within the consciousness of a nation separated by wealth yet driven by the idea of 'the American dream'. Steinbeck's novel is, however, essentially a tale of loneliness, of men struggling alone against a cold, uncaring and faceless destiny. The central protagonists, George and Lennie are, as they are proud to proclaim, different from the others because they have each other. They are an odd couple, George the shrewd, wiry yet ultimately caring protector of the ironically named Lennie Small, who is, in fact, a huge man who doesn't know his own strength and is mentally incapable of making the smallest of decisions for himself; he relies on George completely but equally, George needs Lennie as he gives him a reason to keep going. Lennie, despite his lack of intellect, senses this because when he knows George feels guilty for being angry with him, he takes advantage of the moment to manipulate George into repeating the story of their 'dream future', especially the rabbits they intend to keep with which Lennie is obsessed. They are not related but Lennie's aunt has brought up George and he has promised her that he will look after Lennie, now she has died. The
Of Mice and Men Plot Synopsis
Of Mice and Men - Plot Synopsis The main characters are two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression. One is George Milton and the other Lennie Small. George is described as 'small and quick, dark of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features. Every part of him was defined: small, strong hands, slender arms, a thin and bony nose.' Lennie is large and physically strong but mentally retarded. He is described as 'a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with wide sloping shoulders.' The two unlikely friends have come to a ranch in Soledad, California to 'work up a stake'. They hope one day to fulfill their shared dream of settling down on their own piece of land. Lennie's part of the dream, which he never tires of hearing George describe, is merely to have soft rabbits on the farm, which he can pet. George protects Lennie from himself by telling him that if he gets into trouble he won't let him 'tend them rabbits'. They are escaping from their previous employment in a place called Weed. The childlike Lennie was run out of town, with George accompanying him, because Lennie's love of stroking soft things resulted in an accusation of attempted rape when he touched a young woman's dress. At the ranch, the dream appears to become possible. Candy, the aged, one-handed ranch-hand, even offers to put money in with Lennie and George so they
of mice and men
"Of Mice and Men", is a well-established 1937 novel published by the legendary author, John Steinbeck. Born in Salinas, California, he based this outstanding work on personal experiences of the depression. Steinbeck wrote "Of Mice and Men", during the last phase of the Great Depression, which was triggered by the Wall Street Crash in 1929 and lead to a great number of American civilians losing their jobs. It also caused many American people to lose their homes, for many could not afford to maintain paying their mortgages. This was due to their income being inadequate for the resources they required. Every event, which had occurred, would have resulted in people feeling emotionally insecure, since they would have to start their lives again from scratch. People were not sure what they were going to do, whether they would receive decent work, where would they live. They did not feel safe or secure anymore. During the 1930's, agencies were set up to send migrant farm workers to ranches where they were required. "Ranches", as they were called, would earn $2.50 or $3.00 a day with food and basic accommodation. Ranchers could not commit to any permanent employment due to the shortage in the amount of work available. The farm-hands never knew when their job would end, and would be sent away when told to by the boss, therefore having to find work elsewhere. These situations left
Of Mice and Men
"Of Mice and Men" is a novella of dreams and how these dreams are broken. How is this true for the different characters in the novel? The novella "Of Mice and Men" is based upon dreams and how so many of these dreams are broken or never achieved. The novel is set in the early 1930's on a ranch in North California where two migrant agricultural labourers: George Milton and Lennie Small, start work having left their previous jobs following accusations of attempted rape against Lennie. On arrival at the ranch George and Lennie's dream of saving up enough money to buy their own small house and 'Live off th' fatta th' lan'" remains with them and gradually influence the other characters into revealing their dreams. The dreams mentioned in the book are a metaphor for hope in the novel; all the men and women are looking for some form of hope during the time of great depression that had spread through America in the 1930's late 1920's. Each and every person needed their own dreams to build up their hopes that they would leave the life they led behind. Although George and Lennie both have the same dream each one is slightly different to the other. Lennie's version of the dream is more childlike to George's version. They both dream of "Livin off th' fatta th' lan'", they both dream of escaping the loneliness, poverty and insecurity of a migrant workers life. Lennie's version, because
Of Mice and Men
How does John Steinbeck use the context of the Great Depression to explore the major themes in Of Mice and Men? John Steinbeck uses the context of the Great Depression to explore the themes of loneliness through the characters. He does this by introducing a disabled man named Crooks. Crooks is a black man that experiences isolation because the society in which he resides is racist. Because of this, he is kept away from the people of the ranch and is put in his own little room. We know he is lonely because he says "They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black". Seeing as he is reserved from everyone else, he has to turn his only company of books into friends. "I ain't wanted in the bunk house, and you ain't wanted in my room". This shows the bitterness and anger that he has towards the ranchers. His raging attitude is due to the civilization that he was living in at the time. The author also uses a female that is known as Curley's wife to express the theme of loneliness. At the time of the Great Depression, Curley's wife couldn't really make friends because the society was patriarchal and she was the only female of the ranch. As well as this, people avoid talking to her because they are afraid of her husband, Curley. He is jealous and would start a fight with anyone who tried approaching her. "I'll kill that son-of-a-bitch myself. I'll shoot 'im in the
of mice an men
How does Steinbeck present the theme of loneliness in 'Of Mice and Men'? Of mice and men is a novel, which was written by John Steinbeck, and published in 1937. The tale is set in the 1930's in California. The two main characters of this novella are George an Lennie who are farm workers an dream of one day owning there own ranch. They work in a ranch near Soledad, as they had to move from their old ranch because of the incident containing George. On their journey at the ranch they encounter many people who all have a similar dream to there own "The American Dream." Loneliness is an emotional state in which a person experiences a powerful feeling of emptiness and isolation. Most of the characters in this novel are lonely and the only reason for why they go on is for that dream they long for "the American Dream." Of Mice and Men is a poignant tale with many themes and characters. This essay will describe the way loneliness is portrayed in "Of Mice and Men." George and Lennie are companions who travel from place to place trying to finally create their dream. Which is to one day own there own ranch. George the protagonist of the story is a quick witted and sharp man. He takes the fatherly role of Lennie. Lennie the other protagonist of the story is a mentally disabled man. Despite possessing a child's mental ability he is described as having features of a bear. " A huge man
Of mice and men
Mice and Men "A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't matter no difference who the guy is, longs he with you. I tell ya a guy gets to lonely an he gets sick". This is a very interesting definition of loneliness brought to us by Crooks, one of the pivotal characters, along with Candy and Curley's wife, whom develop the theme of loneliness the most in the novel. Steinbeck's novel 'Of Mice and Men' is set at the time of the Great Depression after the stock market crash of 1929. The currency is almost worthless and people can afford little possessions. Due to the situation, many people move from place to place to find work. This means they are never in one place long enough to form any relationships, thus being a very lonely existence: "Guys like us, that live on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world." George and Lennie are the two main characters of the novel, they find work in a ranch near Soledad: even the name of the small town recalls Solitude, furthermore soledad means loneliness in Spanish. Which emphasises the power and role loneliness has in the novel. Steinbeck infact emphasises loneliness, powerlessness, and isolation, and his hatred for it throughout the novel. He contrasts this with the companionship of George and Lennie. They are the only men who actually travel together,and look out for each other, and this is proved by the way everyone is
Of Mice and Men - Loneliness
Loneliness in 'Of Mice and Men' By Bethan Hindson 'Of Mice and Men' is set in 1930s America, in Salinas and centres around two men, Lennie and George, who are migrant farm workers looking for work. In 1930s America, these men would travel around the country, either walking or by cheap modes of transport, in pursuit of farm work. They would receive $2.50, maybe $3 per day, plus board and a room. Often they would spend their whole life either travelling or working. It was a lonely life, and the novel lets us experience this through the eyes of the ranch workers in Salinas. It is thought the inspiration for 'Of Mice and Men' came from the American Dream and the men who believed so steadfastly in it. The American Dream started when immigrants first began to populate America. It was the dream of a better world; equal opportunities; escape from poverty and starvation; and political and religious freedom. Each man carried a different dream. The American Dream for many in this book meant the dream of a 'little place' where they could finally settle down. Yet, this isn't the only dream-from the ranchmen the dream is to be the cowboy heroes they read about in their magazines and Curley's wife dreams of being a movie star. In this essay I am going to look at the topic of loneliness. Each character in 'Of Mice and Men' has his own loneliness and their own reasons for feeling
Loneliness"Of mice and Men"
Loneliness is a basic part of human life and it's an important theme in the Steinbeck's novel "Of mice and men". All the characters are extremely lonely and unhappy with their lives and none of them can escape this unhappiness. Economic and social forces control them, and liberty seems illusory. The characters of Crooks, Candy and Curley's wife suffer injustices such as discrimination and prejudice, resulting in loneliness and isolation. They learn to overcome with their loneliness through their interest in Lennie and George's friendship. In some ways they are even envious of the bond. Crooks is a black man that lives isolation because the society in which he resides is racist. He is rejected from every group of people and cannot socially interact with others, just like Lennie who can't socially interact properly because of his mental-disability. Crooks' loneliness comes from rejection; others treat him unjust because he is different from them given that he is black. He isn't allowed to participate in daily events with white people such as card games. He is treated unfairly and therefore acts the same way with the white people who have offended him. Crooks is fascinated by the friendship of Lennie and George, especially how close they are. He was curious and envious about it; in fact noticing that Lennie is retarded, he takes advantage of this situation to "torture" him
'Of Mice and Men'
'Of Mice and Men' is written by John Steinbeck, published in 1937. The novel is set in the 1930s during the great depression in California. The two protagonist characters, George and Lennie are farm workers who have a dream of one-day owning their own ranch. They find work in a ranch near Soledad, after escaping from Weed because of George's incident. They are met by different characters on the farm that all have a dream. To be lonely means to lack friends or companionship and to feel isolated. Most of the characters are lonely and the only thing that keeps them alive is their dreams. Some of the loneliest characters they meet are Candy, an old man with only one hand, Crooks, a black cripple and Curley's Wife, a woman who has no identity, she is lonely even though she is married. Although they are all on the ranch together, they are lonely because of who they are and their history. 'Of Mice and Men' is an emotional story with many different themes and characters. This essay will describe the way loneliness is portrayed in 'Of Mice and Men.' George Milton and Lennie Small are friends who travel together. They both share the same dream, which is to one day own their own ranch. George is quick-witted and intelligent. He takes the parental role of looking after Lennie, a simple-minded man who in the book is described as a giant. Lennie is kind hearted with huge physical strength.
