1. OF MICE AND MEN THE GREAT DEPRESSION

2. Travelling workers – Unemployed men travelling the country looking for jobs.

3. Background The men work on a ranch and live a hard life – they are exploited because of the times that they lived in – THE GREAT DEPRESSION – where there were more workers than jobs. The novel is set near the town of Soledad, a real town in southern California. The men work on a ranch and live a hard life – they are exploited because of the times that they lived in – THE GREAT DEPRESSION – where there were more workers than jobs. The novel is set near the town of Soledad, a real town in southern California. John Steinbeck was deeply concerned about the plight of these poor farmers and travelling workers. John Steinbeck was deeply concerned about the plight of these poor farmers and travelling workers.

4. Men at an employment agency desperate for jobs.

5. On October 4 1929, millions of dollars were wiped out in an event that became known as the Wall Street Crash. It led to the Depression in America which crippled the country from 1930 - 1936. People lost their life savings when firms and banks went bust, and 12 - 15 million men and women - one third of America's population - were unemployed. There was then no dole to fall back on, so food was short and the unemployed in cities couldn't pay their rent. Some ended up in settlements called 'Hoovervilles' (after the US president of the time, Herbert C Hoover), in shanties made from old packing cases and corrugated iron.

6. A Hooverville home

7. A ‘Hooverville’ home

8. A A song about an unemployed man meeting an old friend he has fought alongside in the First World War and asking him for a dime (the price of a cup of coffee) summed up the national mood. Brother, can you spare a dime? Once in khaki suits, Gee we looked swell, Full of Yankee Doodle-de-dum. Half a millin boots went sloggin' through Hell, I was the kid with the drum. Say, don't you remember, they called me Al, It was Al all the time. Why don't you remember I'm your pal, Brother, can you spare a dime?

9. Line of men waiting for work

10. The Rural American West The background to the novel is important. Climatic changes had turned large areas of the American West into a dustbowl of infertile land. The background to the novel is important. Climatic changes had turned large areas of the American West into a dustbowl of infertile land. Many farmers lost their farms and were forced into the life of itinerant workers. Their numbers were swelled by large numbers of unemployed due to the Depression of the 40's. Many farmers lost their farms and were forced into the life of itinerant workers. Their numbers were swelled by large numbers of unemployed due to the Depression of the 40's. Since so many workers were available, pay and conditions were very poor, as farm-owners exploited the situation. Since so many workers were available, pay and conditions were very poor, as farm-owners exploited the situation. Much of the work was seasonal, so these workers seldom settled in one place, and were forced to lead a solitary life, seldom with a family. Much of the work was seasonal, so these workers seldom settled in one place, and were forced to lead a solitary life, seldom with a family.

11. Ranch workers