Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

By John SteinbeckBy John Steinbeck

John SteinbeckJohn SteinbeckOne of The Great American One of The Great American Writers of the 20Writers of the 20thth CenturyCentury

A Look at the AuthorA Look at the Author

�� Born February 27Born February 27thth in 1902 in Salinas, California, in 1902 in Salinas, California, John was the third of four children, and the only son.John was the third of four children, and the only son.

�� During his childhood, Steinbeck During his childhood, Steinbeck learned to appreciate his surroundings, learned to appreciate his surroundings, and loved the Salinas countryside and and loved the Salinas countryside and and loved the Salinas countryside and and loved the Salinas countryside and the nearby Pacific Ocean; it would be the nearby Pacific Ocean; it would be this appreciation that would later come this appreciation that would later come out in his writing.out in his writing.

�� Steinbeck worked during his summers as a hired hand in Steinbeck worked during his summers as a hired hand in nearby ranches.nearby ranches.

The Fields of Salinas, CaliforniaThe Fields of Salinas, California

The Beauty of SalinasThe Beauty of Salinas

�� Rich, fertile soilRich, fertile soil

�� At the age of 14 he decided to be a writer At the age of 14 he decided to be a writer and spent a lot of time writing in his room.and spent a lot of time writing in his room.

�� In high school, Steinbeck did well in English In high school, Steinbeck did well in English and edited the school yearbook.and edited the school yearbook.

�� From 1919From 1919--1925 Steinbeck attended Stanford 1925 Steinbeck attended Stanford University to please his parents, but only chose University to please his parents, but only chose courses that interested him, classical and British courses that interested him, classical and British courses that interested him, classical and British courses that interested him, classical and British Literature, writing courses, and an odd science Literature, writing courses, and an odd science course.course.

�� However, Steinbeck did not receive a degree because he However, Steinbeck did not receive a degree because he would drop in and out of school, sometimes to work with would drop in and out of school, sometimes to work with migrant workers and bindlestiffs on California ranches.migrant workers and bindlestiffs on California ranches.

What’s a Bindlestiff?What’s a Bindlestiff?

A hobo, especially one who carries a bedroll.

�� During the late 1920s and 1930s, he concentrated on During the late 1920s and 1930s, he concentrated on writing and wrote several novels set in California.writing and wrote several novels set in California.

�� Steinbeck gained Steinbeck gained

great success bygreat success by

readers and critics.readers and critics.

�� In 1929, he published his first novel, In 1929, he published his first novel, Cup of GoldCup of Gold

�� In 1930, Steinbeck married Carol Henning, and theyIn 1930, Steinbeck married Carol Henning, and theymoved into his family’s home. His father helped support moved into his family’s home. His father helped support the struggling couple, but unfortunately, they divorced in the struggling couple, but unfortunately, they divorced in 1942.1942.

�� In 1935, he won his first literary prize,In 1935, he won his first literary prize,In 1935, he won his first literary prize,In 1935, he won his first literary prize,Commonwealth Club of California Commonwealth Club of California Gold Medal for Best Novel by a Gold Medal for Best Novel by a Californian for his novel, Californian for his novel, Tortilla Flat.Tortilla Flat.

�� In 1936, In 1936, Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men was published, was published, and was so widely accepted that Steinbeck and was so widely accepted that Steinbeck began a book tour that led him to Europe.began a book tour that led him to Europe.

�� In 1939, In 1939, The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath

was published and became an was published and became an

instant bestinstant best--seller; in 1940 it was seller; in 1940 it was

awarded the Pulitzer Prize, one awarded the Pulitzer Prize, one

of the most prestigious literary of the most prestigious literary

awards in the world.awards in the world.

�� This novel, just like This novel, just like Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men, , �� This novel, just like This novel, just like Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men, ,

stemmed from his experience working stemmed from his experience working

among migrant workers. among migrant workers.

�� Steinbeck’s experiences in the fieldsSteinbeck’s experiences in the fields

researching migrant workers led him to researching migrant workers led him to

have more compassion for these workers,have more compassion for these workers,

and stirred up his concern for social and stirred up his concern for social

justicejustice..

�� In 1943 he married Gwendolyn In 1943 he married Gwendolyn

Conger who would father him two Conger who would father him two

sons before their divorce in 1948.sons before their divorce in 1948.

�� In 1943 Steinbeck In 1943 Steinbeck

worked as a war correworked as a war corre--worked as a war correworked as a war corre--

spondent for the New spondent for the New

York newspaper,York newspaper, Herald Herald

Tribune.Tribune.

�� While living in Monterey, While living in Monterey, California, Steinbeck said that he California, Steinbeck said that he felt unwelcome as no one would felt unwelcome as no one would rent him an office for writing, and rent him an office for writing, and he was harassed when trying to get he was harassed when trying to get fuel and wood from a local wartime fuel and wood from a local wartime rations board.rations board.

�� Steinbeck wrote that his old friends Steinbeck wrote that his old friends �� Steinbeck wrote that his old friends Steinbeck wrote that his old friends did not want to be around him, did not want to be around him, partly because of his works, and partly because of his works, and partly because he was so successful: partly because he was so successful: “This isn't my country anymore. And “This isn't my country anymore. And it won't be until I am dead. It makes me it won't be until I am dead. It makes me very sad.”very sad.” He left Monterey the next He left Monterey the next year and moved to New York.year and moved to New York.

�� In 1948 he moved back to Monterey. A year In 1948 he moved back to Monterey. A year later he met Elaine Scott, who in 1950 became later he met Elaine Scott, who in 1950 became his third wife.his third wife.

�� Although he continued to write and publish, Although he continued to write and publish, he never felt at ease in his life, and once wrote he never felt at ease in his life, and once wrote to an aspiring writer from Salinas: to an aspiring writer from Salinas:

“Don't think for a moment that you will ever “Don't think for a moment that you will ever “Don't think for a moment that you will ever “Don't think for a moment that you will ever be forgiven for being what they call ‘different.’ You be forgiven for being what they call ‘different.’ You won’t! I still have not been forgiven. Only when I won’t! I still have not been forgiven. Only when I am delivered in a pine box will I be considered am delivered in a pine box will I be considered ‘safe.’ After I had written the Grapes of Wrath the ‘safe.’ After I had written the Grapes of Wrath the librarians at the Salinas Public Library, who had librarians at the Salinas Public Library, who had known my folks remarked that is was lucky my known my folks remarked that is was lucky my parents were dead so that they did not have to parents were dead so that they did not have to suffer this shame.”suffer this shame.”

�� One of Steinbeck’s two sons fought in the One of Steinbeck’s two sons fought in the Vietnam War, while Steinbeck himself was in Vietnam War, while Steinbeck himself was in Asia covering the war for Asia covering the war for NewsdayNewsday, a Long , a Long Island newspaper. Island newspaper.

�� Steinbeck lost a number of friends Steinbeck lost a number of friends

during the antiduring the anti--war movement due to war movement due to

his open support of the war and his open support of the war and

America’s involvement.America’s involvement.

�� Steinbeck’s last two Steinbeck’s last two books were nonfiction.books were nonfiction.

�� Travels with Charley in Travels with Charley in Search of AmericaSearch of America was an was an account of his trip from account of his trip from Maine to California with Maine to California with his poodle, Charley.his poodle, Charley.his poodle, Charley.his poodle, Charley.

�� His final book, His final book, America America and the Americans,and the Americans, was was about his belief that in about his belief that in time, America would time, America would once again feel united.once again feel united.

�� John Steinbeck died on December 20, 1968, at his John Steinbeck died on December 20, 1968, at his apartment in New York City.apartment in New York City.

�� His wife took him home to Salinas to be buried near His wife took him home to Salinas to be buried near the land that he spent his life writing about.the land that he spent his life writing about.

Mural overlooking The National Mural overlooking The National Steinbeck Center in SalinasSteinbeck Center in Salinas

The Book

•Of Mice and Men was originally called Something That Happened.

• When Steinbeck first thought of the idea for the book he intended it to be for children. Steinbeck told a friend that he was experimenting with a new that he was experimenting with a new “dramatic form.”

•In May 1936, he wrote a manuscript, but his puppy (a setter called Toby) ate it!

•He said of the book:

"It is an experiment and I don't know how successful."

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

�� The novel deals with The novel deals with the issues dear to the issues dear to Steinbeck’s heart Steinbeck’s heart --poverty, poverty, homelessness, the homelessness, the homelessness, the homelessness, the exploitation of exploitation of itinerant workers, the itinerant workers, the failure of the Dream, failure of the Dream, America’s general America’s general moral declinemoral decline..

Main Characters: Lennie & GeorgeMain Characters: Lennie & George

Lennie Small��LennieLennie is a large, is a large, lumbering, childlike lumbering, childlike migrant worker. migrant worker.

��Due to his mild mental Due to his mild mental ��Due to his mild mental Due to his mild mental disability, disability, LennieLenniecompletely depends completely depends upon George, his friend upon George, his friend and traveling and traveling companion, for companion, for guidance and guidance and protection. protection.

Lennie Small�� The two men share a vision The two men share a vision of a farm that they will of a farm that they will own together, a vision that own together, a vision that LennieLennie believes in believes in wholeheartedly. wholeheartedly.

�� Gentle and kind, Gentle and kind, LennieLennie�� Gentle and kind, Gentle and kind, LennieLennienevertheless does not nevertheless does not understand his own understand his own strength. His love of strength. His love of petting soft things, such as petting soft things, such as small animals, dresses, small animals, dresses, and people’s hair, leads to and people’s hair, leads to disaster. disaster.

George MiltonGeorge Milton�� George is a small, George is a small, wiry, quickwiry, quick--witted man witted man who travels with, and who travels with, and cares for, cares for, LennieLennie..

�� Although he frequently Although he frequently speaks of how much speaks of how much speaks of how much speaks of how much better his life would be better his life would be without his caretaking without his caretaking responsibilities, responsibilities, George is obviously George is obviously devoted to devoted to LennieLennie..

George MiltonGeorge Milton

�� George’s behavior is George’s behavior is motivated by the desire to motivated by the desire to protect protect LennieLennie and, and, eventually, deliver them eventually, deliver them both to the farm of their both to the farm of their dreams.dreams.

�� Though George is the Though George is the source for the oftensource for the often--told told story of life on their future story of life on their future farm, it is farm, it is Lennie’sLennie’s childlike childlike faith that enables George faith that enables George to actually believe his to actually believe his account of their future. account of their future.

•George and Lennie go to a ranch near Salinas, California, to work. George is Lennie’s keeper, and Lennie imitates everything that George does.

•Lennie previously had been kicked out of a town for grabbing a girl’s dress. He simply liked to touch soft items.

•That is also the reason that he has a dead mouse in his pocket: Lennie petted it too hard.

•George promises Lennie that some day they will have their own farm and raise rabbits as well as other animals.

Setting in Setting in OfOf Mice and MenMice and Men

�� The novel is set in the The novel is set in the farmland of the Salinas farmland of the Salinas valley, where John valley, where John Steinbeck was born.Steinbeck was born.

�� The ranch in the novel is The ranch in the novel is near Soledad, which is near Soledad, which is near Soledad, which is near Soledad, which is southsouth--east of Salinas on east of Salinas on the Salinas river.the Salinas river.

�� The countryside The countryside described at the described at the beginning of the novel, beginning of the novel, and the ranch itself is and the ranch itself is based on Steinbeck’s own based on Steinbeck’s own experiences. experiences.

Soledad, CaliforniaSoledad, California

California in the 1930sCalifornia in the 1930s

Why Migrant Workers?Why Migrant Workers?

�� Before technology created Before technology created farm machinery, humans farm machinery, humans had to do a lot of the had to do a lot of the farm work by hand.farm work by hand.

�� Between the 1880s and Between the 1880s and �� Between the 1880s and Between the 1880s and the 1930s, thousands of the 1930s, thousands of men would travel the men would travel the countryside in search of countryside in search of work.work.

�� Such work included the Such work included the harvesting of wheat and harvesting of wheat and barley.barley.

Migrant WorkersMigrant Workers�� These workers would earn $2.50 These workers would earn $2.50

or $3.00 a day, plus food and or $3.00 a day, plus food and shelter.shelter.

�� During the 1930s, the During the 1930s, the unemployment rate was high in unemployment rate was high in the U.S., and with so many men the U.S., and with so many men searching for work, agencies were searching for work, agencies were searching for work, agencies were searching for work, agencies were set up to send farm workers to set up to send farm workers to where they were needed.where they were needed.

�� In the novel, George and In the novel, George and LennieLennie(the two main characters) were (the two main characters) were given work cards from Murray given work cards from Murray and Ready’s, which was one of and Ready’s, which was one of the farm work agencies.the farm work agencies.

Chasing the American DreamChasing the American Dream

�� “Give me your tired, your “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your wretched refuse of your teeming shore.teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, Send these, the homeless, tempest tempest tosttost to me,to me,Send these, the homeless, Send these, the homeless, tempest tempest tosttost to me,to me,I lift my lamp beside the I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”golden door.”( ( Emma Lazarus)Emma Lazarus)

Written on the base of the Written on the base of the Statue of Liberty Statue of Liberty

The American Dream The American Dream

�� You can be successful if you You can be successful if you work hard and live morally.work hard and live morally.

�� America is the land of America is the land of opportunity.opportunity.

�� Freedom to work hard and Freedom to work hard and �� Freedom to work hard and Freedom to work hard and be happy is enshrined in the be happy is enshrined in the Constitution.Constitution.

�� The Dream assumes The Dream assumes equality of opportunity, no equality of opportunity, no discrimination, freedom to discrimination, freedom to follow goals and freedom follow goals and freedom from victimization.from victimization.

The American DreamThe American Dream

�� From the 17From the 17thth Century Century onwards, immigrants have onwards, immigrants have dreamed of a better life in dreamed of a better life in America.America.

�� Many people immigrated to Many people immigrated to �� Many people immigrated to Many people immigrated to America in search of a new America in search of a new life for themselves or their life for themselves or their families.families.

�� Many others immigrated to Many others immigrated to escape persecution or escape persecution or poverty in their homeland.poverty in their homeland.

�� Immigrants dreamed of Immigrants dreamed of making their fortunes in making their fortunes in America. America.

�� For many this dream of For many this dream of riches became a riches became a nightmare. nightmare. –– tthere were horrors of here were horrors of slavery, slavery,

–– there were horrors of the there were horrors of the –– there were horrors of the there were horrors of the American Civil War,American Civil War,

–– there was a growing there was a growing number of slums that were number of slums that were just as bad as those in just as bad as those in Europe,Europe,

–– there was also great there was also great corruption in the American corruption in the American political system which led political system which led to many shattered hopes.to many shattered hopes.

�� The idea of an American Dream for The idea of an American Dream for many was broken when in 1929, the many was broken when in 1929, the Wall Street crashed, marking the Wall Street crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.beginning of the Great Depression.

�� This era affected the whole world This era affected the whole world during the 1930s, but even in the during the 1930s, but even in the midst of hardship, some people’s midst of hardship, some people’s dreams survived.dreams survived.

Thousands of people made their Thousands of people made their �� Thousands of people made their Thousands of people made their way west towards California to way west towards California to escape from their farmlands in the escape from their farmlands in the Midwest that were failing due to Midwest that were failing due to drought.drought.

�� The characters of George and The characters of George and LennieLennie dreamt of having a “little dreamt of having a “little house and a couple of acres” which house and a couple of acres” which was their own dream. was their own dream.

Is the American dream possible in the historical Is the American dream possible in the historical context of the novel?context of the novel?

DreamsDreams

�� George and George and LennieLenniehave a dream, even have a dream, even before they arrive at before they arrive at their new job on the their new job on the ranch, to make ranch, to make ranch, to make ranch, to make enough money to live enough money to live "off the fat of the "off the fat of the land" and be their land" and be their own bosses. own bosses. LennieLenniewill be permitted, will be permitted, then, to tend the then, to tend the rabbits.rabbits.

DreamsDreams

��When George goes into When George goes into a full description of the a full description of the dream farm, its Edendream farm, its Eden--like qualities become like qualities become even more apparent. All even more apparent. All the food they want will the food they want will even more apparent. All even more apparent. All the food they want will the food they want will be right there, with be right there, with minimal effort. As minimal effort. As LennieLennie says:says:

––"We could live "We could live offaoffa the the fattafatta the the lanlan'."'."

DreamsDreams�� When George talks about their When George talks about their farm, he twice describes it in farm, he twice describes it in terms of things he loved in terms of things he loved in childhood: childhood:

–– "I could build a smoke house "I could build a smoke house like the one like the one gran'pagran'pa had..."had..."

�� George yearns for his future to George yearns for his future to �� George yearns for his future to George yearns for his future to reflect the beauty of his reflect the beauty of his childhood. childhood.

–– "An' we'd keep a few pigeons "An' we'd keep a few pigeons to go to go flyinflyin' around the ' around the win'millwin'mill like they done when I like they done when I was a kid."was a kid."

Meet the Other CharactersMeet the Other Characters

��CandyCandy

��CurleyCurley

��Curley’s WifeCurley’s Wife

CrooksCrooks��CrooksCrooks

��SlimSlim

��CarlsonCarlson

CandyCandy

�� Candy is an aging ranch Candy is an aging ranch handyman. handyman.

�� Candy lost his hand in an Candy lost his hand in an �� Candy lost his hand in an Candy lost his hand in an accident and worries about accident and worries about his future on the ranch. his future on the ranch.

CandyCandy

�� Fearing that his age is Fearing that his age is making him useless, he making him useless, he seizes on George’s seizes on George’s description of the farm he description of the farm he and and LennieLennie will have, will have, offering his life’s savings if offering his life’s savings if he can join George and he can join George and he can join George and he can join George and LennieLennie in owning the land.in owning the land.

�� The fate of Candy’s ancient The fate of Candy’s ancient dog, which Carlson shoots dog, which Carlson shoots in the back of the head in in the back of the head in an alleged act of mercy, an alleged act of mercy, foreshadows the manner in foreshadows the manner in which one of our characters which one of our characters will die. will die.

CurleyCurley�� Curley is the boss’s son, Curley is the boss’s son, Curley wears highCurley wears high--heeled heeled boots to distinguish himself boots to distinguish himself from the field hands.from the field hands.

�� Rumored to be a champion Rumored to be a champion prizefighter, he is a prizefighter, he is a confrontational, meanconfrontational, mean--prizefighter, he is a prizefighter, he is a confrontational, meanconfrontational, mean--spirited, and aggressive spirited, and aggressive young man who seeks to young man who seeks to compensate for his small compensate for his small stature by picking fights with stature by picking fights with larger men.larger men.

CurleyCurley

��Recently Recently married, Curley married, Curley is plagued with is plagued with jealous jealous jealous jealous suspicions and suspicions and is extremely is extremely possessive of possessive of his flirtatious his flirtatious young wife.young wife.

Curley’s WifeCurley’s Wife�� Curley’s wife is the only Curley’s wife is the only female character in the female character in the novel.novel.

�� Curley’s wife is never given Curley’s wife is never given a name and is only referred a name and is only referred to in reference to her to in reference to her husband.husband.

�� The men on the farm refer The men on the farm refer �� The men on the farm refer The men on the farm refer to her as a “tramp,” a “tart,” to her as a “tramp,” a “tart,” and a “and a “looloolooloo.”.”

�� Dressed in fancy, feathered Dressed in fancy, feathered red shoes, she represents red shoes, she represents the temptation of female the temptation of female sexuality in a malesexuality in a male--dominated world.dominated world.

Curley’s WifeCurley’s Wife

�� Steinbeck depicts Steinbeck depicts Curley’s wife not as a Curley’s wife not as a villain, but as a villain, but as a victim.victim.

�� Like the ranchLike the ranch--hands, she is hands, she is hands, she is hands, she is desperately lonely desperately lonely and has broken and has broken dreams of a better dreams of a better life. life.

CrooksCrooks�� Crooks, the black stableCrooks, the black stable--hand, gets his name from hand, gets his name from his crooked back.his crooked back.

�� Proud, bitter, and funny, he is isolated from the Proud, bitter, and funny, he is isolated from the other men because of the color of his skin.other men because of the color of his skin.

�� Despite himself, Crooks becomes fond of Despite himself, Crooks becomes fond of LennieLennie, , and though he claims to have seen countless men and though he claims to have seen countless men following empty dreams of buying their own land, following empty dreams of buying their own land, he asks he asks LennieLennie if he can go with them and hoe in if he can go with them and hoe in he asks he asks LennieLennie if he can go with them and hoe in if he can go with them and hoe in the garden. the garden.

SlimSlim�� A highly skilled mule driver and the acknowledged A highly skilled mule driver and the acknowledged

“prince” of the ranch, Slim is the only character who “prince” of the ranch, Slim is the only character who seems to be at peace with himself.seems to be at peace with himself.

�� The other characters often look to Slim for advice. For The other characters often look to Slim for advice. For instance, only after Slim agrees that Candy should put instance, only after Slim agrees that Candy should put his decrepit dog out of its misery, does the old man his decrepit dog out of its misery, does the old man agree to let Carlson shoot it. agree to let Carlson shoot it.

�� A quiet, insightful man, Slim alone understands the A quiet, insightful man, Slim alone understands the �� A quiet, insightful man, Slim alone understands the A quiet, insightful man, Slim alone understands the nature of the bond between George and nature of the bond between George and LennieLennie, and , and comforts George at the novel’s tragic ending.comforts George at the novel’s tragic ending.

Other CharactersOther Characters�� CarlsonCarlson -- A ranchA ranch--hand, Carlson complains bitterly about hand, Carlson complains bitterly about

Candy’s old, smelly dog. He convinces Candy to put the dog Candy’s old, smelly dog. He convinces Candy to put the dog out of its misery. When Candy finally agrees, Carlson out of its misery. When Candy finally agrees, Carlson promises to execute the task without causing the animal any promises to execute the task without causing the animal any suffering.suffering.

�� The BossThe Boss -- The stocky, wellThe stocky, well--dressed man in charge of the dressed man in charge of the ranch, and Curley’s father. He is never named and appears ranch, and Curley’s father. He is never named and appears only once, but seems to be a faironly once, but seems to be a fair--minded man. Candy minded man. Candy only once, but seems to be a faironly once, but seems to be a fair--minded man. Candy minded man. Candy happily reports that he once delivered a gallon of whiskey to happily reports that he once delivered a gallon of whiskey to the ranchthe ranch--hands on Christmas Day.hands on Christmas Day.

�� Aunt Clara Aunt Clara -- Lennie’s aunt, who cared for him until her Lennie’s aunt, who cared for him until her death, does not actually appear in the novel except in the death, does not actually appear in the novel except in the end, as a vision chastising Lennie for causing trouble for end, as a vision chastising Lennie for causing trouble for George. By all accounts, she was a kind, patient woman George. By all accounts, she was a kind, patient woman who took good care of Lennie and gave him plenty of mice who took good care of Lennie and gave him plenty of mice to pet.to pet.

Themes in Themes in Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men�� The Nature of DreamsThe Nature of Dreams–– In essence, In essence, Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men is as much a is as much a story about the nature of human dreams and story about the nature of human dreams and aspirations and the forces that work against aspirations and the forces that work against them as it is the story of two men. them as it is the story of two men.

–– Humans give meaning to their livesHumans give meaning to their lives——and to and to their futurestheir futures——by creating dreams. Without by creating dreams. Without dreams and goals, life is an endless stream of dreams and goals, life is an endless stream of dreams and goals, life is an endless stream of dreams and goals, life is an endless stream of days that have little connection or meaning. days that have little connection or meaning.

–– George and George and Lennie’sLennie’s dreamdream——to own a little to own a little farm of their ownfarm of their own——is so central to is so central to Of Mice and Of Mice and Men Men that it appears in some form in five of the that it appears in some form in five of the six chapters. six chapters.

�� LonelinessLoneliness–– In addition to dreams, humans crave contact In addition to dreams, humans crave contact with others to give life meaning. Loneliness is with others to give life meaning. Loneliness is present throughout this novel. present throughout this novel.

Themes in Themes in Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men�� PowerlessnessPowerlessness–– Steinbeck’s characters are Steinbeck’s characters are often the underdogs, and he often the underdogs, and he shows compassion toward them shows compassion toward them throughout the body of his throughout the body of his writings. Powerlessness takes writings. Powerlessness takes many formsmany forms——intellectual, intellectual, financial, societalfinancial, societal——and and financial, societalfinancial, societal——and and Steinbeck touches on them all.Steinbeck touches on them all.

�� FateFate–– Life’s unpredictable nature is Life’s unpredictable nature is another subject that defines the another subject that defines the human condition. Just when it human condition. Just when it appears that George and appears that George and LennieLenniewill get their farm, fate steps will get their farm, fate steps in. in.

Themes in Themes in Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

�� My Brother’s KeeperMy Brother’s Keeper–– Steinbeck makes the Steinbeck makes the reader wonder whether reader wonder whether mankind should go mankind should go alone in the world or alone in the world or be responsible and be responsible and helpful to others who helpful to others who be responsible and be responsible and helpful to others who helpful to others who are less fortunate. are less fortunate.

�� NatureNature–– Steinbeck uses nature Steinbeck uses nature images to reinforce his images to reinforce his themes and to set the themes and to set the mood. mood.

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men –– Title’s OriginTitle’s Origin�� The title of the novel comes The title of the novel comes from a poem by the Scottish from a poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759 poet Robert Burns (1759 --96)96)

“The best laid schemes o’ mice and “The best laid schemes o’ mice and menmen

Gang aft agley Gang aft agley [often go wrong][often go wrong]And leave us And leave us noughtnought but grief and painbut grief and pain

For promised joy!”For promised joy!”For promised joy!”For promised joy!”

The best laid schemes of mice The best laid schemes of mice and men often go wrongand men often go wrong--referring to a little mouse who referring to a little mouse who had so carefully built her had so carefully built her burrow in a field to protect burrow in a field to protect herself and her little mice herself and her little mice babies babies –– and the burrow is and the burrow is turned over and destroyed by turned over and destroyed by the man plowing.the man plowing.