CHARACTERS:

"Of Mice and Men" is a novella written by John Steinbeck. It tells the story of George
Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant workers who travel together and dream of
owning a small piece of land.

George is a small, wiry man with sharp features and a quick mind. He is Lennie's
closest friend and protector, but also the one who has to make the tough decisions
that ultimately shape their fate.

Lennie, on the other hand, is a large, mentally disabled man who has great physical
strength but struggles with simple tasks and understanding social norms. He is
childlike in his innocence and loves to pet soft things, which often gets him into
trouble.

Other characters in the novella include Candy, an old swamper who lost his hand and
fears being kicked off the ranch; Curley, the boss's aggressive and jealous son;
Curley's wife, a lonely woman who craves attention and dreams of being a movie
star; Slim, a skilled mule driver who commands respect on the ranch; and Crooks, a
black stable hand who is isolated from the other men because of his race.

QUOTES:
Here are some notable quotes from John Steinbeck's novella, "Of Mice and Men":
1. "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." - Robert Burns (This quote is
where the title of the novella comes from.)
2. "I could live so easy and maybe have a girl." - Lennie Small (Lennie often talks about
their dream of owning a small farm and living off the land with George.)
3. "I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain't no good. They don't
have no fun. After a long time they get mean." - George Milton
4. "Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no
family. They don't belong no place." - George Milton
5. "I tell you, I ain't used to livin' like this. I coulda made somethin' of myself." - Crooks
(Crooks is the only black man on the ranch and is segregated from the other men.)
6. "I don't like to tell nobody my business." - Curley's wife (Curley's wife is a lonely
woman who is often dismissed by the men on the ranch.)
7. "A guy needs somebody - to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody." -
Lennie Small
8. "I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to of let no stranger
shoot my dog." - Candy (Candy's old dog is shot by Carlson, a ranch hand, and he
regrets not taking responsibility for his pet.)
9. "Maybe everybody in the whole damn world is scared of each other." - Slim
10. "I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her. He usta like
to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would." - George Milton (This
quote comes at the end of the novella, when George makes a tough decision that
changes the course of their lives.)

THEMES:
Here are some of the major themes in John Steinbeck's novella, "Of Mice and Men":

1. Loneliness: The characters in the novella are all lonely in some way, whether
it's because they're isolated from the others due to their race or gender, or
because they're unable to form meaningful connections with other people.
2. Dreams: Many of the characters in the novella have dreams of a better life,
whether it's owning their own farm or becoming a movie star. However, these
dreams often remain unfulfilled due to the harsh realities of their lives.
3. Friendship: The relationship between George and Lennie is a central theme in
the novella. Their friendship is based on their shared dream of owning a farm,
and George is Lennie's protector and caretaker.
4. Discrimination: The novella deals with issues of discrimination, particularly
against black people and women. Crooks, the only black man on the ranch, is
segregated from the others, while Curley's wife is dismissed and objectified by
the men.
5. Powerlessness: The characters in the novella are often powerless to control
their own lives. They are at the mercy of their employers, and their dreams and
aspirations are often dashed by circumstances beyond their control.
6. Violence: Violence is a recurring theme in the novella, from the brutal killing of
Candy's dog to the tragic ending of the story. The violence is often a result of
the characters' frustration and powerlessness.

CONTEXT:

"Of Mice and Men" is a novella written by John Steinbeck and was first published in 1937.
The story is set during the Great Depression in the United States, which was a time of
widespread poverty and unemployment. Steinbeck himself grew up in California during this
time and was deeply affected by the struggles of the migrant workers he saw around him.
The novella is also set in a time of social and political change in the United States. The Civil
Rights Movement was still several decades away, and discrimination against black people
and women was widespread. The novella highlights the injustices and inequalities that
existed in American society during this time.
The title of the novella is taken from a line in Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse", which reads
"The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley" (meaning "often go awry"). This
quote reflects the uncertain and unpredictable nature of the characters' lives and their
dreams.
Overall, "Of Mice and Men" is a powerful commentary on the human condition and the
struggles faced by marginalized groups during a time of great social and economic upheaval
in the United States. It remains a widely read and studied work of literature and continues to
be relevant today.

AMERICAN DREAM:
The American Dream is a concept that has been woven into the fabric of American culture
for centuries. It is the idea that with hard work, determination, and a bit of luck, anyone can
achieve success and prosperity in the United States. In "Of Mice and Men", the characters'
dream of owning a small farm and living off the land is a quintessential example of the
American Dream.
However, the novella also shows the dark side of the American Dream. The characters'
dreams are constantly thwarted by the harsh realities of their lives, and their aspirations
often remain unfulfilled. The characters are trapped in a cycle of poverty and desperation,
and the dream of a better life is often nothing more than a mirage.
Furthermore, the novella highlights the limitations of the American Dream for marginalized
groups such as black people and women. Crooks, the only black man on the ranch, is
unable to achieve his dreams because of the systemic discrimination he faces. Similarly,
Curley's wife is unable to break free from the limitations imposed on her by a patriarchal
society.
Ultimately, "Of Mice and Men" is a powerful commentary on the American Dream and the
limitations of social mobility in the United States. While the characters' dream of owning a
farm represents a quintessential example of the American Dream, the novella shows that the
reality of life for many Americans is far more complex and challenging.