John Steinbeck Born on February 27th 1902 in Salinas, California Died on December 20th 1968 in New York Grew up working summers on nearby ranches with migrants, becoming aware of their harsh lives Attended Stanford University, but dropped out

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.

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.

The California Novels The Pastures of Heaven The Red Pony To A God Unknown Tortilla Flat In Dubious Battle Of Mice And Men (1937) The Long Valley The Grapes Of Wrath Cannery Row East Of Eden Sweet Thursday

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.

Chapters Steinbeck writes his book like a play. Think of the end of a chapter as the lights dimming on the stage and the beginning of each chapter as the lights coming up. Steinbeck establishes a new setting for each chapter change and he gives the audience a description of this location in the first few paragraphs. This is also why the chapters are not numbered. They simply indicate scene changes, but it’s all really one long passage.

Setting Salinas Valley, California (Steinbeck’s “backyard”) Takes place during the time of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl

Migrant Workers and the American Dream Thousands of people migrated to California during this time period for the promise of a better climate, gold and “The American Dream” Many were disappointed when no jobs were available so migrant farming became popular – men left their families, moving from one farm to another, finding short term work based on the harvest seasons. George and Lennie dreamt of their 'little house and a couple of acres'. The growing popularity of cinema was the last American Dream for many, Curley's wife was one: 'Coulda been in the movies, an' had nice clothes.'

Synopsis John Steinbeck's classic story of loyalty and friendship focuses on two travelling farm workers, George and Lennie. George has taken on responsibility for the mildly retarded Lennie, who constantly seems to fall into trouble of one sort or another.  George and Lennie don't plan to travel forever - someday, they will have a little place of their own...

Characters

George Milton He is a small man, but has brains and a quick wit. He has been a good friend to Lennie, ever since he promised Lennie's Aunt Clara that he would care for him. He looks after all Lennie's affairs and tries to steer him out of potential trouble. He needs Lennie as a friend, not only because Lennie's strength helps to get them both jobs, but so as not to be lonely. His threats to leave Lennie are not really serious. He is genuinely proud of Lennie. He shares a dream with Lennie to own a piece of land and is prepared to work hard to build up the money needed to buy it. He is honest with people he trusts. For example, he tells Slim that he used to play tricks on Lennie when they were young, but now feels guilty about it as Lennie nearly drowned.

Lennie Small He is a big man, in contrast to his name. He has limited intelligence, so he relies on George to look after him. He shares a dream with George to own a piece of land. Lennie's special job would be to tend the rabbits He likes to pet soft things, like puppies and dead mice. We know this got him into trouble in Weed when he tried to feel a girl's soft red dress: she thought he was going to attack her. He can be forgetful - George continually has to remind him about important things. He is very gentle and kind, and would never harm anyone or anything deliberately. He is extremely strong: he can work as well as two men at bucking barley. He is often described as a child or an animal - he drinks from the pool like a horse and his huge hands are described as paws.

Slim is the jerkline skinner (lead mule-team driver) at the ranch Slim is the jerkline skinner (lead mule-team driver) at the ranch. He is excellent at his job. He is the natural leader at the ranch. Everyone respects his views and looks up to him. He has a quiet dignity: he doesn't need to assert himself to have authority. Slim He understands the relationship between George and Lennie. He helps George at the end and reassures George that he did the right thing. We know little else about him, which gives him a slightly mysterious quality. Do you think he is too good to be true?

Curley is the boss's son, so he doesn't need to work like the ordinary ranch hands, and he has time to kill. He's little - so he hates big guys. He is a prize-fighter and looks for opportunities for a fight. He is newly- married and is very possessive of his wife - but he still visits brothels. Curley

She is newly married to Curley. We never know her name - she is merely Curley's 'property' with no individual identity. She is young, pretty, wears attractive clothes and curls her hair. She seems flirtatious and is always hanging around the bunk-house. She is lonely - there are no other women to talk to. Curley is not really interested in her. She doesn't like Curley - she tells Lennie that she only married him when she didn't receive a letter she'd been promised to get into Hollywood. Curley’s Wife

Crooks is the black stable hand or buck. He is the only permanent employee at the ranch, since he injured his back in an accident. He is the only black man around and is isolated by his colour. He is always called the 'nigger' by the men, which shows how racism is taken for granted. The men don't mean to insult Crooks every time they call him this, but they never think to use his name. He is lonely. Crooks The only time he mixes with the ranch hands socially is when they pitch horseshoes - and then he beats everyone! He has his own room near the stables. He has books, which show he is intelligent and an old copy of the California Civil Code, which suggests he is concerned about his rights. He has seen many men come and go, all dreaming of buying a piece of land.

Candy is the oldest ranch hand Candy is the oldest ranch hand. He lost his right hand in an accident at work. He is the 'swamper' - the man who cleans the bunkhouse. He knows he will be thrown out and put 'on the county' when he is too old to work. Because of this, he accepts what goes on and doesn't challenge anything: he can't afford to lose his job. He has a very old dog, which he has had from a pup. It is his only friend and companion. Candy Carlson insists on shooting the dog because he claims it is too old and ill to be of any use. Candy is devastated. He is lonely and isolated, but makes friends with George and Lennie and offers his compensation money to help them all to buy a ranch together and achieve their dream. When he finds Curley's wife dead, he is furious, as he knows instantly that Lennie was involved and that they have lost their chance of achieving their dream.

Topics that Influence Themes The importance of friendship The struggles of loneliness Barriers 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

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 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

The Nature of Dreams... To George, his dream of having their own place means independence, security, being his own boss, and, most importantly, being ”somebody” To Lennie, the dream is like the soft animals he pets: it means security, the responsibility of tending the rabbits, and a sanctuary where he won’t be afraid To Candy, the dream of the farm offers security for old age and a home where he will fit in For Crooks, the farm will be a place where he can have self-respect, acceptance, and security For George, Lennie, Candy, and Crooks–human dignity is an integral part of the dream

Loneliness 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.”

Loneliness... George’s taking care of Lennie and the dream of the farm are the attempts to break the pattern of loneliness that is part of the human condition Similarily, Lennie’s desire to pet soft things comes from the need to feel safe and secure, to touch something that gives him that feeling of not being alone in the world. For Lennie, the dream of the farm parallels that security.

Loneliness... Candy: Candy’s dog stopped Candy from being lonely Curley’s wife: Her husband has forbidden anyone to talk to her. She combats her loneliness by flirting with the ranch hands Crooks: Crooks is isolated because of his skin color. As the only black man on the ranch, he is not allowed into the bunkhouse with the others. He combats his loneliness with books and his work.

Loneliness... Solidad: The name of the town means ”solitude” or ”alone”

Barriers... A barrier based on gender: The real thing that isolates Curley’s wife is that she is a female in an all-male world A barrier based on race: Crooks being an African-American must occupy a room in the stable alone. He is not welcome in the bunkhouse A barrier based on age and handicap: Candy is afraid of being thrown out because of his age and handicap. He is a victim of a society that does not value age and discriminates against people who are handicapped.

Power Struggles Steinbeck’s characters are often underdogs Powerlessness takes many forms: - intellectual - financial - societal Steinbeck touches them all Which characters represent the different forms of powerlessness?