Themes In Of Mice And Men

Of Mice and Men theme essay John Steinbeck has written many novels in his time. He wrote in the 1930s during the great depression. John Steinbeck was an American communist. An American communist is someone who lives in America that believes that everyone should share everything, and thinks that the United States should switch from democracy to communism. One of Steinbeck’s novellas is called Of Mice and Men. Of Mice and Men is about two men named Lennie and George. The story is based in the great depression. The two men are in California and are working on a farm. They go through the struggles of finding money and have a dream of living on a farm when they have enough money. In his novella Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses George, Candy, and …show more content…
Candy works as the Janitor of the farm. The Janitor cannot do a lot of things because of his old age. He has a dog that is also of old age. When George and Lennie show up at the farm he befriends them. The men start talking about how old Candy’s dog is. Additionally, they talk about how Candy would be better off without the dog. Carlson, one of the workers on the farm, takes the janitors dog and shoots him. Steinbeck explains, “ Slim said, Candy , you can have any one of them pups you want; Candy did not answer… Candy lay still, staring at the ceiling”(Steinbeck 48-49). This quote shows how Slim, another worker at the farm, tells Candy that he can have another dog, but Candy just ignores him. This helps contribute to the theme by showing that Candy wouldn’t talk because he just lost his best friend and he feels lonely because of the fact that he did lose his best friend. As the book continues, Candy mourns the death of his dog. One night, Candy hears George and Lennie talking about their dream farm. He asks if the farm is really real, and the men tell him about the farm. Steinbeck explains, “He leaned forward eagerly; S’pose I went in with you guys… I’d make a will an’ leave my share to you guys in case I kick off ‘cause I ain’t got no relatives nor nothing”(Steinbeck 59). This quote shows how Candy is willing to give up all he has to …show more content…
Crooks is the only black man on the farm. He is called the stable buck because he lives out in the barn. Furthermore, Crooks is also Crippled and gets beaten by the boss whenever something does not go right for the boss of the farm. Crooks takes multiple items and keeps them in his room. He is a very lonely man. Steinbeck describes, “ Maybe you can see now; You got George;You know he’s going to come back; S’pose you couldn't go into the bunk house and play rummy ‘cause you was black… A guy needs somebody-to be near him”(Steinbeck 72). This quote shows how lonely Crooks gets and how he let Lennie into his room to talk to him, even though Lennie could get into trouble if the boss found out he was in there. So Crooks took an extreme measure and put Lennie in danger so Crooks wouldn't be lonely. As the story continues, Crooks and Lennie talk some more until Candy shows up looking for Lennie. Candy and Lennie start talking about the farm and how they are getting out of the farm in one month. Crooks takes interest in this idea. Steinbeck explains, “He hesitated; If you guys would want a hacd to work for nothing- just his keep,why I’d come an’ lend a hand; I ain’t so crippled I can’t work like a son-of-a-bitch if I wanted to”(Steinbeck 76). This quote shows how Crooks will drop anything to go with the other three men because he doesn’t want to be