Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men Lit Analysis The Great Depression of the 1930s had become a huge problem affecting many people and their life styles. Only a fourth of people were employed, making jobs very hard to find. Some men were able to, worked as farmers. They went around to different ranches looking for a way to earn money. Most men traveled by themselves, which made Lennie and George special. Every man had their own American Dream but sometimes it was hard to accomplish. Even though Lennie screws everything up, George stays with him because in the end he needs him. In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Stienbeck, George and Lennie are left with each other during the Depression. John Stienbeck uses foreshadowing and friendship to show that each person has an American Dream as goal to one day achieve. They always think they can get it, but Stienbeck makes seem as if things never go as planned. Not everybody lives a great life. But sometimes it only takes some hard work and luck. The author uses friendship vs symbolism as one of the major themes in Of Mice and Men. The two friends never gave up on each other and stayed together till the end. “George stacked the scattered cards and began to lay out his solitaire hand.” (Steinbeck 40) George is always playing the one man game Solitaire by himself. George doesn’t bother asking Lennie to play with him because he knows Lennie isn’t capable enough to understand the game. By George playing this game, it shows how lonely he is. This also shows George's desire to be solitaire, or not held back by his companion. George often playing of this game foreshadows him becoming a free man. The symbol of cards shows us that eventually fate prevents Lennie and George from achieving their American Dream.
Once Curly’s wife comes into the story, begins this feeling where bad things were about to happen. This foreshadowed something happening with Lennie “fighting” with her. George knows Lennie well and knows he will only try to look out