Of mice and men critical essay
An exploration of how John Steinbeck develops the theme of loneliness in his novel “Of Mice and Men
The novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck was written in 1937. In this novel there are many themes, some more prominent than others. Some of these themes are; inequality, tragedy, dreams, poverty loneliness and how unpredictable life can be. In this essay though I will be focusing on the theme of loneliness.
During the novel, George takes care of his simple-minded friend, Lennie. There are drifters, moving from ranch to ranch George is a hard working man but Lennie on the other hand always gets into trouble, with the arms of a bear and the mind of a 5 year old he can work, but he can mess up very easily. But despite all this Lennie and George have a dream, a dream to have their own land, not to be canned by anyone. This is their interpretation of the American dream, and Lennie was to tend the rabbits.
The book is set during the Great Depression -1929 until 1936-. During this time, people lost everything. Stockbrokers were reduced to cleaning toilets; Bankers were reduced to living in shacks –called Hoovervilles after the president of the time-. People lost everything, jobs, savings many even lost their homes. Also at the time there was a severe drought in the Southern Mid-Western states meant that farms and ranches were abandoned and there was a severe food shortage. These unemployed people flocked to the only state that was relatively untouched by the drought, California. These large numbers of unemployed workers flocked to California. Most of these lonesome characters drifted from ranch to ranch only keeping a job for a few months at most. They led lives, which were very difficult. They had to survive on a poor diet, and had to deal with being alone with out a meaningful relationship. The closest they could get was a whorehouse. George and Lennie are different though, they travel together. Being lonesome drifters is the thing that they are both
The novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck was written in 1937. In this novel there are many themes, some more prominent than others. Some of these themes are; inequality, tragedy, dreams, poverty loneliness and how unpredictable life can be. In this essay though I will be focusing on the theme of loneliness.
During the novel, George takes care of his simple-minded friend, Lennie. There are drifters, moving from ranch to ranch George is a hard working man but Lennie on the other hand always gets into trouble, with the arms of a bear and the mind of a 5 year old he can work, but he can mess up very easily. But despite all this Lennie and George have a dream, a dream to have their own land, not to be canned by anyone. This is their interpretation of the American dream, and Lennie was to tend the rabbits.
The book is set during the Great Depression -1929 until 1936-. During this time, people lost everything. Stockbrokers were reduced to cleaning toilets; Bankers were reduced to living in shacks –called Hoovervilles after the president of the time-. People lost everything, jobs, savings many even lost their homes. Also at the time there was a severe drought in the Southern Mid-Western states meant that farms and ranches were abandoned and there was a severe food shortage. These unemployed people flocked to the only state that was relatively untouched by the drought, California. These large numbers of unemployed workers flocked to California. Most of these lonesome characters drifted from ranch to ranch only keeping a job for a few months at most. They led lives, which were very difficult. They had to survive on a poor diet, and had to deal with being alone with out a meaningful relationship. The closest they could get was a whorehouse. George and Lennie are different though, they travel together. Being lonesome drifters is the thing that they are both