1. Introduction to…
Of Mice and Men
by John Steinbeck

2. About the Author: Biography
John Steinbeck
Born Feb in Salinas, CA
Grew up working summers on nearby ranches with migrants, becoming aware of their harsh lives
Attended Stanford University, but dropped out

3. John Steinbeck’s Work
Of Mice and Men was published in 1937 after a series of other failures
Masterpiece – The Grapes of Wrath about a family during the Great Depression. This epic novel won him a Pulitzer in 1940.

4. STEINBECK’S WRITING
Steinbeck’s stories are based on fact. He wrote what he knew.
His stories are often set in California and focus on detailed descriptions of nature.
Steinbeck is known for humanizing the working class outcast or “loser” archetype.

5. Character Themes
Race
Age
Social
Class
Gender
Intelligence

6. Title: Of Mice and Men
The title of the novella is adapted from a line in the poem “To a Mouse,” by Robert Burns
“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”  (astray, imperfectly, wrongly)
No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it. 6

7. Chapters + Organization
Steinbeck writes his book like a play.
Lights up = Beginning of chapter
Lights dim = End of chapter
New chapter = new setting: setting is detailed to help you visualize and set the mood.
This is also why the chapters are not numbered.
The book is meant to be read as one, long passage.

8. OMAM SETTING: Salinas Valley, California
(Steinbeck’s “backyard”)
Takes place during the time of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl

10. Migrant Workers
Thousands of people migrated to California during this time period for the promise of jobs (better climate), gold – thus – in search of “The American Dream”
Think: 50 jobs + advertising to 6+ states where NO ONE has jobs (hundreds of thousands of people, possibly millions), + hope = not enough jobs = = DISASTER!

12. Who is George? GEORGE is a good friend to Lennie
He was small of stature but wiry and well built
He was frustrated with the task of having to take care of Lennie but had compassion and loyalty as well

13. Who is Lennie? LENNIE is physically large and extremely strong.
He has an intellectual disability, having the mentality and temperament of a small child.
He is fiercely loyal to and dependent upon George

14. The Intellectually Challenged of the 1930’s
No government programs (and few private ones) established to protect their rights.
Had to rely on friends and family for survival.
Great Depression closed most organizations designed to help.
Stereotypes again flourished that the disabled were unable to fend for themselves.
The alternative for Lennie would have been an “insane asylum” which often made things worse for people with disabilities instead of better.

17. A hobo, especially one who carries a bedroll.
What’s a Bindlestiff?
A hobo, especially one who carries a bedroll.

18. Focus Theme
The novel is a parable that tries to explain what it means to be human
Essentially, man is a very small part of a very large universe
In the greater scheme of things, individuals come and go and leave very little, lasting mark
Yet deep inside all people are longing for a place in nature – the desire for the land, roots, and a place to call ”home”
The struggle for such a place is universal, and its success is uncertain

19. OTHER THEMES TO LOOK FOR
The importance of friendship
The struggles of loneliness
The worth and purpose of an individual life
Power struggle between the rich and poor
The importance of independence
Disillusionment (to free from illusion) of the American Dream

20. The Nature of Dreams
Of Mice and Men is as much a story about the nature of human dreams and aspirations as it is the story of two men
Humans give meaning to their lives – and to their futures – by creating dreams
Without dreams and goals, life is an endless stream of days that have little connection or meaning
George and Lennie’s dream is to own a little farm of their own
The telling of the story (dream) becomes a ritual between the two men

21. Loneliness Humans crave contact with others to give life meaning
Loneliness is present throughout the novel
- the ranch hands go into town to ease their loneliness with alcohol and women
- Lennie goes into Crooks’s room to find someone to talk to
- Curley’s wife comes for the same reason
Crooks says: ”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.”
Slim mentions: ”I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain’t no good. They don’t have no fun. After a long time they get mean.”

22. Literary Device Animal Imagery
Lennie
is often compared to a bear with his huge size and strength
’s hands are described as paws
is always associated with rabbits and mice
snorts like a horse at the stream
Circles like a terrier when he does not want to bring the dead mouse to George
These animal images lead careful readers to question Lennie’s future. With his enormous strength and his lack of intelligence, common sense, and responsibility, Lennie causes the reader to wonder how well he fits into human society.