Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck (1937)

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, published in 1937, is a poignant novella set during the Great Depression. It follows the lives of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant workers striving for a better future in California. A blend of friendship, dreams, and tragedy, this classic explores the human condition with profound simplicity.

Plot Summary

The sun hung low over the Salinas Valley as the waters of the river glided softly past the golden foothills. Two men emerged from the woods, their footsteps crunching on the dry path. George Milton, small and sharp-featured, led the way, while Lennie Small, a hulking man with a shapeless face and childlike manner, trailed behind. Their clothes were worn, and they carried all their belongings in tight bundles slung over their shoulders. Lennie’s hands played with a small, dead mouse, stroking its fur until George snatched it away, admonishing him for risking sickness by petting a decayed creature.

As dusk deepened, the men stopped by the riverbank. George outlined their plans for the future—a vision of independence where they would own a piece of land, grow their food, and Lennie could tend rabbits, his favorite animals. Lennie clung to this dream with a fierce, almost desperate, joy. Before they rested, George made Lennie promise to return to the brush by the river if ever he found himself in trouble.

The next morning, the two arrived at a ranch where they hoped to find work. The bunkhouse was stark, its walls bare save for the workers’ modest belongings. The ranch boss questioned George’s unusual arrangement with Lennie, suspicious of why one man would care so much for another. George deflected the inquiry, claiming Lennie was his cousin who had been kicked in the head by a horse as a child.

The other ranch hands soon revealed their characters. Candy, an old swamper with a mangy dog, shuffled about with a kind but weary demeanor. Curley, the boss’s son, was a wiry man with a quick temper and a chip on his shoulder, particularly towards larger men like Lennie. Curley’s wife, young and heavily made up, lingered near the workers with a brittle, flirtatious air that masked her deep loneliness. Slim, the respected mule driver, moved with quiet authority and an understanding nature, while Carlson, another laborer, carried himself with blunt practicality.

As days passed, tensions simmered. Curley’s aggressiveness and his wife’s habit of seeking attention kept everyone on edge. Lennie, fascinated by soft things, became enchanted with the newborn puppies Slim allowed him to pet. Meanwhile, George and Lennie shared their dream with Candy, who offered his life savings to join them, envisioning a peaceful end to his working days. This plan, whispered late at night, became their shared beacon of hope.

But trouble lurked in the shadowed corners of the ranch. One evening, Curley, looking for a fight, turned on Lennie. Though reluctant, Lennie defended himself when George urged him to. His immense strength shattered Curley’s hand, leaving the bully humiliated. Slim warned Curley to keep the incident quiet to avoid ridicule, and for a time, the ranch settled into an uneasy calm.

Loneliness and isolation wove their way through the lives of the ranch hands. Crooks, the stable buck, lived segregated from the others because of his race. One evening, Lennie wandered into his room, drawn by a flickering light. At first, Crooks was defensive, but Lennie’s innocence disarmed him. They spoke of dreams and loneliness, and Crooks, momentarily hopeful, considered joining George, Lennie, and Candy’s plan. But the intrusion of Curley’s wife, who ridiculed and threatened Crooks, quickly shattered this fragile connection.

Later, while the ranch bustled with work, Lennie stayed behind in the barn, stroking his puppy. When it died in his care, he was overcome with sorrow. Curley’s wife entered, seeking someone to talk to, someone who might see her beyond her role as “Curley’s possession.” She confided in Lennie about her dashed dreams of becoming an actress and her unhappy marriage. Lennie, fixated on her soft hair, asked if he could touch it. At first, she obliged, but when he tugged too hard, she panicked. Frightened and confused, Lennie tried to quiet her, his great strength unintentionally snapping her neck.

Realizing what he had done, Lennie fled to the riverbank as George had instructed. Back at the barn, the other men discovered Curley’s wife’s lifeless body. Curley, enraged, led a mob to hunt Lennie, eager for vengeance. George, understanding the grim inevitability of what would come, retrieved Carlson’s gun and headed toward the river.

The light of the setting sun painted the riverbank in hues of red and gold as Lennie waited in the brush, murmuring to himself about tending rabbits. George appeared, and Lennie, sensing no danger, greeted him warmly. George asked Lennie to imagine their dream once more—the land, the animals, the rabbits. Lennie’s face lit up as George described their future, a life free from fear and hardship. As Lennie smiled, lost in the vision, George raised the gun and, with a steady hand, ended his friend’s life.

The other men arrived moments later, and Slim, understanding the weight of George’s decision, offered quiet solace. The others, unaware of the profound bond between George and Lennie, remained indifferent. Together, George and Slim walked away, leaving behind the broken dreams that had carried them through so many miles.

Main Characters

• George Milton: A small, sharp-witted man who dreams of owning a piece of land. George is deeply loyal to Lennie, acting as his caretaker and protector, despite the challenges Lennie brings into his life.

• Lennie Small: A physically strong but mentally impaired man with a childlike demeanor. Lennie’s love for soft things and inability to control his strength often lead to trouble, creating tension throughout the story.

• Candy: An aging ranch hand with a missing hand and an aging dog. Candy yearns for companionship and security, joining George and Lennie in their dream of owning land.

• Curley: The boss’s aggressive and confrontational son. Curley’s insecurity and tendency to provoke fights make him an antagonistic presence on the ranch.

• Curley’s Wife: The only prominent female character, she is nameless and depicted as lonely and flirtatious. Her interactions with the men reveal her vulnerability and unfulfilled desires.

• Slim: A skilled mule driver and respected figure on the ranch. Slim’s calm demeanor and wisdom provide balance amidst the story’s turmoil.

• Crooks: The African-American stable hand, isolated due to racial discrimination. Crooks’s loneliness and guarded nature reflect broader societal issues.

Theme

• Dreams and Aspirations: The recurring motif of the “American Dream” is embodied in George and Lennie’s dream of owning a farm, symbolizing hope and self-reliance, though it ultimately proves elusive.

• Loneliness and Isolation: Characters like Candy, Curley’s wife, and Crooks embody the profound loneliness experienced during the Great Depression, highlighting the human need for connection.

• Friendship and Loyalty: The bond between George and Lennie contrasts with the solitude of other characters, illustrating the value and challenges of companionship.

• Power and Vulnerability: Power dynamics play out in the relationships on the ranch—be it physical strength, social status, or race—revealing the fragility of those who lack it.

• Innocence and Violence: Lennie’s innocent yet destructive nature underscores the tension between gentleness and brutality in human interactions.

Writing Style and Tone

Steinbeck’s writing style in Of Mice and Men is characterized by simplicity and vivid imagery, mirroring the unembellished lives of the characters. His descriptions of the Salinas Valley are rich with sensory detail, grounding the story in a naturalistic setting that enhances its realism. Steinbeck employs naturalistic dialogue, capturing the vernacular and speech patterns of itinerant workers with authenticity, allowing readers to connect with the characters’ struggles and aspirations.

The tone of the novella oscillates between hopeful and tragic, reflecting the fragile balance of dreams and harsh realities. Steinbeck imbues the narrative with compassion and empathy, even when portraying moments of violence or despair. His ability to juxtapose tenderness with stark brutality creates a profound emotional impact, making the story resonate deeply with readers.