Characters and Analysis of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
Characters and Analysis of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, takes place on a ranch in the Salinas Valley of California, against the backdrop of the Great Depression. Steinbeck writes of two ordinary men trying to live the American Dream. Unfortunately they fail to fulfill those dreams. Steinbeck opens the book by vividly painting a picture of the Salinas River Valley. Two traveling laborers, George Milton and Lennie Small, are on their way to a job at a Californian ranch. George decides that they were to stay the night along the Salinas River’s bank before reporting to work the next day. Over dinner George and Lennie discuss their plans. Through this conversation, Steinbeck reveals the contrasts between Lennie and George.
Lennie is big and slow witted and George does the thinking for the pair. Lennie obeys George’s every word like a dog to his master’s commands. At this point in the book it becomes apparent that George and Lennie want to pursue the American Dream. Lennie asks George to tell him of their future home. It would be just George and him. They plan to have many orchards, pigs, cows, rabbits.
They plan to live off the fat of the land. The next morning the two friends travel to the ranch to obtain their work assignments. As the arrive at the ranch they are greeted by a man name Candy. He tells them of the ranch and its inhabitants. When interviewed by the boss, George answers all the questions. He even answers for Lennie. Due to this, the boss becomes suspicious. While in the bunk the Boss’ son Curly walks in looking for his father. Curly bullies Lennie, even though Curly is much smaller than him. George warns Lennie to stay away from him. At dinner, Slim introduces himself to George and is puzzled why they travel together. Later in the bunk George tells Slim about his life. He explains how Lennie likes to pet soft objects and how Lennie always gets them in trouble. George travels with Lennie because Lennie has nobody to look after him.
George asks slim if Lennie could have one of his puppies. Lennie is ecstatic when Slim gives him a puppy. Curly’s wife walks into the bunk looking for her husband. All of the men in the bunk drop their heads, but Lennie stares at her. The men told...