In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, the struggles of The Great Depression are a major theme. George and Lennie must work to survive and to achieve their goal of a small ranch they plan to own together. Despite of The Great Depression, Lennie does not make their lives any easier with his foolish mistakes. The Great depression was the largest economic downfall in the history of America. It lasted from 1929 to 1939 and during this time around thirteen million people became unemployed. While this was occurring more than half of the banks failed and the stock market crashed. The Great Depression affected everyone and their families, and people did what they had to do to survive. John Steinbeck lived during the Great Depression and had personal experiences which helped him create a realistic theme. He emphasizes the hard times and how it affects people and the decisions they make.
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George and Lennie are put into difficult situations mostly because of Lennie’s actions. George has no choice but to take care of Lennie because no one knows exactly how to treat him or how to handle him. Slim says, “I hardly never seen two guys travel together.” (Steinbeck 39) It was very odd at that time period for two men to be travelling together because everyone was focused on themselves because of the hard time, or they had a family to take care of. Lennie could not survive by himself without George. This was not the case with George and Lennie. Although George made all of the choices, the decisions were a direct result of the Great Depression and what they had to do to survive. Lennie did not make these decisions an easier with his illegal actions. Although he did not know any better, Lennie was unlawful. He did unlawful things without thinking twice of it. That is the reason they had to abandon their lives in Weed and move to Soledad in hope of
George and Lennie are put into difficult situations mostly because of Lennie’s actions. George has no choice but to take care of Lennie because no one knows exactly how to treat him or how to handle him. Slim says, “I hardly never seen two guys travel together.” (Steinbeck 39) It was very odd at that time period for two men to be travelling together because everyone was focused on themselves because of the hard time, or they had a family to take care of. Lennie could not survive by himself without George. This was not the case with George and Lennie. Although George made all of the choices, the decisions were a direct result of the Great Depression and what they had to do to survive. Lennie did not make these decisions an easier with his illegal actions. Although he did not know any better, Lennie was unlawful. He did unlawful things without thinking twice of it. That is the reason they had to abandon their lives in Weed and move to Soledad in hope of