Of Mice and Men - Is ‘Of mice and men’ a pessimistic novel?
Is ‘Of mice and men’ a pessimistic novel?
Written in 1936, ‘Of Mice and Men’ is perhaps a bleak novella by John Steinbeck. It is set in California in the 1930’s at the time of ‘The Great Depression’ and ‘The Dust Bowl’ when life was particularly harsh and humanity somewhat lacking. Arguably, the novel is a pessimistic one as it depicts the world of migrant workers, lonely and desperate and hungry to achieve unattainable dreams. However, ‘The American Dream’ also stands as a symbol of hope and Steinbeck shows that despite external forces of ‘fate and circumstance’ there are still those that hope and aspire for a better life despite the pervading low morale.
‘Of Mice and Men’ is set at a time when ‘The American Dream’ had disappeared for a nation, but was still alive with individuals like Lennie and George, who kept the belief that they were ‘gonna have a little house’ and ‘live off the fatta the lan.’
George Milton and Lennie Small are the main protagonists in the novel as they represent a polar opposite to the fractured society, with pride in being different as they both believe in their dream all throughout the novel even if in the end like all the other dreams in the novel it doesn’t happen. Life is a struggle for George and Lennie and when the bus drops them off miles away from the ranch is another example of pessimism in the novel. However they have an optimistic nature and they relish the first night of freedom by sleeping out in the open. Lennie shows his child-like behaviour when he asks George for ketchup to have with his beans. ‘Well, we ain’t got any’ was George’s response and then lets out his anger at Lennie, mentioning all the problems Lennie has ever caused him. Like Lennie was a burden. ‘Tell me like you done before’ refers to the dream that they share and how Lennie relies on it for security and confidence and how he depends on George for everything. George tells the story ‘rhythmically’ which implies that he has told
Written in 1936, ‘Of Mice and Men’ is perhaps a bleak novella by John Steinbeck. It is set in California in the 1930’s at the time of ‘The Great Depression’ and ‘The Dust Bowl’ when life was particularly harsh and humanity somewhat lacking. Arguably, the novel is a pessimistic one as it depicts the world of migrant workers, lonely and desperate and hungry to achieve unattainable dreams. However, ‘The American Dream’ also stands as a symbol of hope and Steinbeck shows that despite external forces of ‘fate and circumstance’ there are still those that hope and aspire for a better life despite the pervading low morale.
‘Of Mice and Men’ is set at a time when ‘The American Dream’ had disappeared for a nation, but was still alive with individuals like Lennie and George, who kept the belief that they were ‘gonna have a little house’ and ‘live off the fatta the lan.’
George Milton and Lennie Small are the main protagonists in the novel as they represent a polar opposite to the fractured society, with pride in being different as they both believe in their dream all throughout the novel even if in the end like all the other dreams in the novel it doesn’t happen. Life is a struggle for George and Lennie and when the bus drops them off miles away from the ranch is another example of pessimism in the novel. However they have an optimistic nature and they relish the first night of freedom by sleeping out in the open. Lennie shows his child-like behaviour when he asks George for ketchup to have with his beans. ‘Well, we ain’t got any’ was George’s response and then lets out his anger at Lennie, mentioning all the problems Lennie has ever caused him. Like Lennie was a burden. ‘Tell me like you done before’ refers to the dream that they share and how Lennie relies on it for security and confidence and how he depends on George for everything. George tells the story ‘rhythmically’ which implies that he has told