1. Of Mice and Men
1937

2. Background Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck
About George Milton and Lennie Small
Two displaced migrant ranch workers who move from place to place in California in search of new job opportunities
During the Great Depression in the United States
Focused on California’s laboring class
Steinbeck used many of his own experiences as a bindle-stiff and a ranch hand for his book
Steinbeck tackles many hard topics in the book that he was passionate about— He challenged society
John Steinbeck
Born in Salinas, California—1902
Stanford University
Won a Nobel Prize in 1962
Died in 1968

3. Characters
George: small, quick, clever and feisty; Lennie’s caretaker and friend. He becomes easily frustrated by Lennie, but he cares about him. George is one of the few people who understand Lennie.
Lennie: large, clumsy, and incredibly strong; George’s friend. Lennie is like a child and mentally frail. He loves soft things and small animals. He is innocent and depends on George for direction and security.
George and Lennie both have a dream to own their
own ranch with rabbits and other animals and make a
living.
Candy: old ranch handyman. He lost his hand in an
accident and worries about his age and future.
Curley: the boss’s son. Mean, selfish, short, and always
ready to pick a fight.
Curley’s Wife: The only female character. Ranch men
don’t like her. She is lonely.
Crooks: colored stable-hand. Proud, bitter, and funny.
Slim: skilled mule driver. “Prince” of the ranch. The
Others loo to him for guidance.

4. Setting Salinas, California During the Great Depression
George and Lennie are bindle-stiffs
They find work as Ranch
-hands in Salinas
They are leaving Soledad

5. Setting
Bunk-house

6. “To a Mouse” The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men Gang aft agley.
(The best laid schemes of mice and men
Often go awry.)
Robert Burns