Of Mice and Men, written by John Steinbeck, is an novella set in the era of the Great Depression, and deals with the idealism of the southern California lifestyle. Lennie and George, Steinbeck’s main characters. hope to own their own place one day, but due to Lennie’s disability and lack of focus all plans backfire. This story of how unconditional friendships maintain themselves, predation in human nature, and the inexplicable American dream develops the theme of having an idealized view to life. The setting and plot of this work is very important to the storyline. Described to take place “A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green” (1). This is where Lennie, a handicapped man
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The theme of the unreachable American dream, and jealously or destructive quality of humans is quite apparent in this novel. Throughout the novel, the author uses symbols to help bolster these themes. The farm, is a sign of Lennie and George’s want of The American Dream, that cannot be reached. George states, “Someday- we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and---” (14).This is where Lennie adds in his personal want of tending the rabbits. But this dream is not achieved due to Lennie causing chaos and the use of white little lies to make the two seem less ungathered. Also, another symbol, Lennie’s puppy, represents the predation of human nature, and how the strong defeats the weak. Lennie kills the puppy by accident, by failing to understand the power he has within him. Even though he is physically big, he is extremely innocent like that puppy. Lennie is not coherent of the irascible powers of human beings around him. Of Mice and Men, set in the era of The Great Depression deals with the reality of two laborers trying to make it in southern California. This book contains helpful themes of maintaining an unconditional friendship, predation of the weak in the human race, and the impossible American Dream. All these contribute to a well put together story about the idealism of their lives, and
The theme of the unreachable American dream, and jealously or destructive quality of humans is quite apparent in this novel. Throughout the novel, the author uses symbols to help bolster these themes. The farm, is a sign of Lennie and George’s want of The American Dream, that cannot be reached. George states, “Someday- we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an’ a cow and some pigs and---” (14).This is where Lennie adds in his personal want of tending the rabbits. But this dream is not achieved due to Lennie causing chaos and the use of white little lies to make the two seem less ungathered. Also, another symbol, Lennie’s puppy, represents the predation of human nature, and how the strong defeats the weak. Lennie kills the puppy by accident, by failing to understand the power he has within him. Even though he is physically big, he is extremely innocent like that puppy. Lennie is not coherent of the irascible powers of human beings around him. Of Mice and Men, set in the era of The Great Depression deals with the reality of two laborers trying to make it in southern California. This book contains helpful themes of maintaining an unconditional friendship, predation of the weak in the human race, and the impossible American Dream. All these contribute to a well put together story about the idealism of their lives, and