Of Mice and Men

CHARACTERS
Lennie: Despite Lennie being one of the principal characters in Of Mice and Men, he is one of the least dynamic. His simplicity is central to Steinbeck s conception of the novella, and throughout the story he doesn t undergo a significant change or growth, and remains exactly the same as when the reader first encounters him. His utmost desire is to look after and pet soft, small animals and is devoted to George and their vision of the farm. He is a big man, in contrast to his name, and has limited intelligence so therefore relies on George to look after him. George: George is short-tempered, but nonetheless a loving friend; he may be abrupt and impatient at times, but he never strays from his primary purpose of protecting Lennie. George is a small man, but has the intelligence Lennie lacks. At the start of the novella, George is an idealist. Despite his hard exterior, he believes in the story of his and Lennie s future farm, and longs for freedom and wealth. Slim: Slim is the jerkline skinner (lead mule-team driver) at the ranch, and is the natural leader. He is excellent at his job and everyone respects his views and looks up to him. Despite this, he has a quiet dignity, and doesn t feel the need to assert himself in order to have authority. Slim understands the relationship between George and Lennie, and is always providing reassurance. Curley: Curley is the boss s son, so therefore doesn t need to work like the other ranch workers and has lots of time to kill; usually spent menacing other workers. He s described to be a rather little character, so doesn t like bigger men, such as Lennie. He is a prize-fighter and looks for opportunities for a fight. Curley is newly married and very possessive of his wife, yet still visits brothels. Curley s Wife: A rather nave character, whom the reader never learns her name, and is merely identified as property to Curley. She is young, and pretty, but also knows it, so acts flirtatious towards the other ranch workers. It is evident she doesn t particularly like Curley, who doesn t really like her. Curley s wife tells Lennie of her dreams to be a Hollywood star. Crooks: Crooks is the stable hand, a Negro, permanent employee at the ranch. He is the only black worker, and is therefore isolated by his colour, forbidden to socialise with other ranch workers. Crooks acquired his name as a result of a painful back injury, and is always referred to as either Crooks or nigger , which shows how racism is taken for granted. Candy: Candy is the oldest ranch worker, and lost his right hand in an accident at work. He is the swamper who cleans the bunkhouse. Candy never challenges anything, as he knows he may lose his job. He owns a very old dog which he has brought up since it was a puppy, and is his only friend and companion. Upon hearing George and Lennie s dream, he desires to be a part of it.

CONTEXT
Setting: The setting of the novella is Soledad, near the strong, rocky Galiban mountains; right in the heart of California. As a result of the Wall Street Crash in 1929, many migrant workers moved to California, known at that time as The Golden State , renowned to be rich in fertile, and a place where fortunes were made; a place where the American Dream came true. Time Period: The novella was supposedly set during the late 1920 s and early 1930 s, after the notorious Wall Street Crash (4th October 1929). The story told is perhaps similar to the lives of many migrant workers at this time period; all hoping for better circumstances. The Roaring Twenties: Before the stock market crashed, the time period was known as the Roaring Twenties . The American people overspent, leading to a consumption of resources which was evidently not there. This short-lived era was ultimately the result of a long-term depression. Wall Street Crash: The Wall Street stock market crashed on 4th October 1929. Billions of dollars were lost and life savings were wiped out. Factories and businesses became bankrupt, resulting in forced closure, and millions of people were unemployed. America went into shock, depression engulfed the population, as citizens became desperate for money. People left the destitute cities and moved into the countryside, looking for work. The New Deal: The New Deal, set up by Franklin D. Roosevelt, was designed to get the unemployed back to work by involving them in public work projects, in both the city and the countryside. It inspired the American people, filling them with the longing of economic normality. The Dust Bowl: The Dust Bowl was extreme wind, which led to the fertile top soil being blown away, alongside families money and hopes. Bad farming methods and weather were to blame. People who once owned acres of land and were successful farmers were left with nothing. Hoovervilles: There was no money to fall back on, food was short and the unemployed in cities couldn t pay their rent. Some families ended up in settlements known as Hoovervilles (after the President at the time, Herbert C. Hoover), which were shanties made from old packing cases and corrugated iron.

THEMES
Discrimination: The character of Crooks is one example of how racism and ethnicity issues were in the 1920 s. Segregation was at its peak, and the white people of America were against black people working and doing things in society they shouldn t. This highlights how people were against things that were new and different. Togetherness: George and Lennie s relationship sparks this theme in Steinbeck s novella. Most ranch workers were stereotyped to be lonely characters, individuals who drifted from ranch to ranch, looking for work. However, George and Lennie juxtapose this stereotyping and portray how they need each other in order for their survival. Poverty: Throughout the novella it is apparent