Set during the Great Depression, Of Mice and Men is a profound and influential novella, written by John Steinbeck. It was published in 1937 and features two ranchers, George Milton and Lennie Small, struggling to find work. The pair travel around California with only a few belongings, each other and a dream of one day owning land. In Of Mice and Men, the reader is shown that all people crave the same basic necessities and rights, no matter their race, gender or whether they have a disability. Steinbeck explores the themes of friendship being a negative thing, prejudice and its impact on those who are discriminated against and aspirations and their importance when going through challenging times.
In this era, friendship was not found easily. …show more content…
The same can be said for Candy and his dog. Candy’s dog and Lennie both ended up meeting the same fate with one distinct difference. When Candy was told he should shoot his dog and not let it suffer any longer, he was initially hesitant. The dog was Candy’s only real companion. He couldn’t bear to shoot his only friend, so one of the other men took up the job. It is shown throughout the story that Candy regrets not shooting him himself. His death not only reminded him, not only of his age and ever growing worry that he was not needed in the workforce but also that friends are difficult to come by. These men just wanted to feel a sense of belonging and safety but, as Steinbeck shows, things don’t always go to plan.
Prejudice is a common theme shown throughout Of Mice and Men, and for the time, it is a surprising topic to see discussed by an author in this time. Steinbeck’s views shown in the novella, especially about women and African American peoples, give some insight as to how these groups were seen during the Great Depression. The author conveys the message that all people crave the same basic necessities and rights, through his illustration of the men and women living in and around the ranch. One example of this was how Crooks spoke in
In this era, friendship was not found easily. …show more content…
The same can be said for Candy and his dog. Candy’s dog and Lennie both ended up meeting the same fate with one distinct difference. When Candy was told he should shoot his dog and not let it suffer any longer, he was initially hesitant. The dog was Candy’s only real companion. He couldn’t bear to shoot his only friend, so one of the other men took up the job. It is shown throughout the story that Candy regrets not shooting him himself. His death not only reminded him, not only of his age and ever growing worry that he was not needed in the workforce but also that friends are difficult to come by. These men just wanted to feel a sense of belonging and safety but, as Steinbeck shows, things don’t always go to plan.
Prejudice is a common theme shown throughout Of Mice and Men, and for the time, it is a surprising topic to see discussed by an author in this time. Steinbeck’s views shown in the novella, especially about women and African American peoples, give some insight as to how these groups were seen during the Great Depression. The author conveys the message that all people crave the same basic necessities and rights, through his illustration of the men and women living in and around the ranch. One example of this was how Crooks spoke in