“Of Mice and Men” is a novella written by John Steinbeck that was published in 1937. The story is set during the Great Depression and follows two displaced migrant ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, as they navigate the harsh realities of life in California. The novella is widely regarded as a masterpiece of American literature and has been adapted into various forms of media, including a play and a film.
One of the most notable aspects of “Of Mice and Men” is its use of allegory. The story is often interpreted as an allegory for the American Dream and the struggles that come with it. The characters in the novella represent different aspects of society, and their interactions with each other highlight the challenges faced by individuals in a society that values success and wealth above all else. Through the use of allegory, Steinbeck is able to explore complex themes and ideas in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking.
‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck is a novella that uses allegory to convey its message. Allegory is a literary device that uses characters, events, and settings to represent abstract ideas and themes. In this novella, Steinbeck uses his characters, locations, animal imagery, and a simple game of cards to demonstrate to his readers that most people dream about lives of great significance. But in reality, most humans’ limitations keep these dreams from coming true.
The story of Lennie and George is a perfect example of allegory in action. Lennie, who is mentally disabled, represents innocence and vulnerability. George, on the other hand, represents the harsh reality of life. Together, they symbolize the struggle between dreams and reality.
The setting of the novella also plays a significant role in the allegory. The pool by the river, which is the place where Lennie and George’s story begins and ends, represents a safe sanctuary to meet and a place free from society’s constraints. The farm they work on represents the harsh reality of life, where dreams are often shattered.
Throughout the novella, Steinbeck uses animal imagery to further the allegory. For example, the mouse that Lennie pets to death symbolizes the fragility of innocence and the destructive power of strength. The puppy that Lennie accidentally kills represents the unintended consequences of good intentions.
Character Symbolism
George Milton: Reason and Sacrifice
George Milton is a symbol of reason and sacrifice in Of Mice and Men. He is a small man but with a big heart, who takes care of Lennie like a brother. He is a loyal friend to Lennie, and he always tries to protect him from harm. George is a symbol of the working-class American, who must sacrifice his own dreams to support his family and friends.
Lennie Small: Innocence and Doom
Lennie Small is a symbol of innocence and doom in Of Mice and Men. He is a big, strong man with the mind of a child. Lennie is innocent in the sense that he does not understand the consequences of his actions, and he is doomed because of his strength. Lennie’s strength is both his greatest asset and his greatest liability. He accidentally kills Curley’s wife, which sets off a chain of events that leads to his tragic death.
Curley’s Wife: Lost Dreams
Curley’s wife is a symbol of lost dreams in Of Mice and Men. She is the only female character in the book, and she is never given a name. Curley’s wife is a beautiful woman who dreams of becoming a movie star, but her dreams are shattered when she marries Curley. She is trapped in a loveless marriage and is forced to live on a ranch with no hope of ever achieving her dreams.
Candy: Desolation and Hope
Candy is a symbol of desolation and hope in Of Mice and Men. He is an old man who lost his hand in a farming accident and is now useless on the ranch. Candy is lonely and desperate for companionship, which is why he latches onto George and Lennie’s dream of owning their own farm. Candy’s hope for a better future is what keeps him going, even though he knows deep down that it is unlikely to come true.
Crooks: Isolation and Inequality
Crooks is a symbol of isolation and inequality in Of Mice and Men. He is the only black man on the ranch, and he is forced to live in a separate room because of his race. Crooks is intelligent and well-read, but he is also bitter and resentful because of the way he is treated. Crooks’ isolation and inequality are a reflection of the larger social issues of the time, and his character is a reminder of the struggles faced by African Americans in the early 20th century.
The Great Depression and the American Dream
Economic Displacement
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, a period of economic downturn that affected the United States in the 1930s. The novel explores the lives of migrant workers who were displaced from their homes and forced to search for work in order to survive. The harsh economic conditions of the time meant that many people were unable to find stable employment, which led to a sense of hopelessness and despair.
Quest for Ownership and Stability
The American Dream is a concept that has been ingrained in American society since the writing of the Declaration of Independence. It is the idea that every individual has the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.
In Of Mice and Men, the characters George and Lennie share a dream of owning their own farm and living off the land. This dream is a symbol of the American Dream and represents the quest for ownership and stability.
However, the pursuit of the American Dream is not without its challenges. The characters in the novel face many obstacles, including economic hardship, discrimination, and the fragility of their own mental health. Despite these challenges, the characters remain committed to their dream, which serves as a source of hope and inspiration.
Nature and Animal Imagery
John Steinbeck uses nature and animal imagery to convey the themes of freedom, vulnerability, and loss of innocence in Of Mice and Men.
The Salinas River: A Place of Freedom
The Salinas River serves as a symbol of freedom in the novel. It is a place where George and Lennie can escape the constraints of their lives and dream of a better future. The river is described as “deep and green” and “willow-lined,” creating a peaceful and idyllic setting. It is also a place where George and Lennie can be themselves without fear of judgment or persecution.
Lennie’s Puppy: Vulnerability and Fate
Lennie’s puppy represents vulnerability and fate. Lennie’s desire to pet soft things leads him to accidentally kill the puppy, highlighting his lack of control and understanding of his own strength. The puppy’s death foreshadows the tragic events that will occur later in the novel and emphasizes the idea that fate cannot be avoided.
The Dead Mouse: Loss of Innocence
The dead mouse that Lennie keeps in his pocket represents his loss of innocence. Lennie’s desire to pet the mouse to death shows his lack of understanding of the fragility of life and foreshadows the tragic events that will occur later in the novel. The dead mouse also symbolizes the harsh reality of life on the ranch and the loss of innocence that occurs when one is forced to confront that reality.
The Role of Fate and Destiny
In John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, fate and destiny play a significant role in the lives of the characters. The novel depicts a world where individuals have little control over their lives, and their fate is predetermined by the circumstances they find themselves in.
The character of Lennie is a prime example of this. He is a gentle giant who is often unaware of his own strength and is unable to control his actions. This lack of control ultimately leads to his tragic fate, as he accidentally kills Curley’s wife and is forced to flee.
Similarly, the character of George is also subject to the whims of fate. He is forced to make difficult decisions that ultimately determine his and Lennie’s future. Despite his best efforts to protect Lennie, fate ultimately catches up with them, and he is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Racial and Gender Themes
Marginalization of Crooks
One of the most prominent themes in Of Mice and Men is the marginalization of Crooks, the only black character in the novella. Crooks is forced to live in a separate room from the other workers, and is constantly reminded of his inferior status. He is excluded from social events and is not allowed to play cards with the other men. This constant isolation has made him bitter and cynical, but it has also made him more perceptive and insightful.
The Plight of Women
Another important theme in Of Mice and Men is the plight of women during the Great Depression. The only female character in the novella is Curley’s wife, who is treated with suspicion and disdain by the other workers. She is constantly belittled and objectified, and is not allowed to engage in any meaningful conversation or activity.
Curley’s wife’s experiences highlight the gender inequality that was prevalent in the 1930s. Steinbeck shows how women were often seen as inferior to men, and how this could lead to feelings of frustration and powerlessness. The character of Curley’s wife is a powerful reminder that gender discrimination can have a lasting impact on individuals and communities.
Foreshadowing and Irony
Of Mice and Men is a novella that makes use of foreshadowing and irony to add depth to the characters and the plot. Foreshadowing is a literary device that hints at what is to come later in the story. On the other hand, irony is a literary device that creates a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens.
One of the most significant examples of foreshadowing in the novella is the death of Lennie. The death of Lennie is foreshadowed throughout Of Mice and Men. In Section 2, Slim introduces the idea that any creature too weak to survive in a hard world must be killed. He drowns four of his dog’s pups because “she couldn’t feed that many.” This foreshadows the death of Lennie, who is too weak to survive in the harsh world.
Another example of foreshadowing is the death of Curley’s wife. Curley’s wife is a lonely and unhappy character who is constantly seeking attention from the men on the ranch. Her death is foreshadowed when she first appears in the novella. She is described as having “full, rouged lips and wide-spaced eyes, heavily made up.” This description suggests that she is a seductive and dangerous character who is likely to cause trouble.
Irony is also used throughout the novella to create contrast and add depth to the characters and the plot. One example of irony is the relationship between George and Lennie. George is a small and intelligent man who takes care of Lennie, a large and mentally disabled man. This relationship is ironic because George is the one who is supposed to take care of Lennie, but it is Lennie who ends up taking care of George.
Another example of irony is the dream that George and Lennie share. They dream of owning their own farm and living off the land. This dream is ironic because it is impossible for them to achieve. They are poor and have no resources, and the world is too harsh for them to survive on their own.
The Bindle Stiffs: Symbols of Transience
Of Mice and Men is a novel that explores the lives of migrant workers during the Great Depression. One of the most significant symbols in the book is the bindle stiff. The term “bindle stiff” refers to a migrant worker who carries his belongings in a bindle, a small bundle tied to a stick. The bindle stiff is a symbol of transience, as these workers are constantly on the move in search of work.
The bindle stiffs in the novel are portrayed as lonely and isolated individuals. They have no permanent home or family, and they are often forced to work in harsh conditions for little pay. The bindle stiffs are also vulnerable to exploitation by their employers, who can easily replace them with other workers.
Despite their difficult circumstances, the bindle stiffs in the novel are portrayed as resilient and resourceful. They are able to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world, relying on their own skills and ingenuity to make a living. This resilience is reflected in the character of George, who is able to protect and care for his friend Lennie despite the many challenges they face.