Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

By John By John SteinbeckSteinbeck

John SteinbeckJohn Steinbeck One of The Great American One of The Great American Writers of the 20Writers of the 20thth Century Century

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

The Fields of Salinas, The Fields of Salinas, CaliforniaCalifornia

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 1919-1925 Steinbeck attended Stanford From 1919-1925 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 Literature, writing courses, and an odd science Literature, writing courses, and an odd science course.course.

However, Steinbeck did not receive a degree However, Steinbeck did not receive a degree because he would drop in and out of school, because he would drop in and out of school, sometimes to work with migrant workers and sometimes to work with migrant workers and bindlestiffs on California ranches.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 During the late 1920s and 1930s, he concentrated on writing and wrote several novels concentrated on writing and wrote several novels set in California.set in California.

Steinbeck gained Steinbeck gained great success bygreat success byreaders and critics.readers and critics.

In 1939, In 1939, The Grapes of WrathThe Grapes of Wrath was published and became an was published and became an instant best-seller; in 1940 it was instant best-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, , 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 corre-worked as a war corre-spondent for the New spondent for the New York newspaper,York newspaper, Herald Herald Tribune.Tribune.

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

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

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

Steinbeck lost a number of friends Steinbeck lost a number of friends during the anti-war movement due to during the anti-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 was an account of his trip an account of his trip from Maine to from Maine to California with his California with his poodle, Charley.poodle, Charley.

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

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

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

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

Main Characters: Lennie Main Characters: Lennie & George& George

Lennie Small

Lennie is a large, lumbering, Lennie is a large, lumbering, childlike migrant worker. Due childlike migrant worker. Due to his mild mental disability, to his mild mental disability, Lennie completely depends Lennie completely depends upon George, his friend and upon George, his friend and traveling companion, for traveling companion, for guidance and protection. The guidance and protection. The two men share a vision of a two men share a vision of a farm that they will own farm that they will own together, a vision that Lennie together, a vision that Lennie believes in wholeheartedly. believes in wholeheartedly. Gentle and kind, Lennie Gentle and kind, Lennie nevertheless does not nevertheless does not understand his own strength. understand his own strength. His love of petting soft things, His love of petting soft things, such as small animals, such as small animals, dresses, and people’s hair, dresses, and people’s hair, leads to disaster. leads to disaster.

George MiltonGeorge Milton George is a small, wiry, George is a small, wiry,

quick-witted man who quick-witted man who travels with, and cares for, travels with, and cares for, Lennie. Although he Lennie. Although he frequently speaks of how frequently speaks of how much better his life would much better his life would be without his caretaking be without his caretaking responsibilities, George is responsibilities, George is obviously devoted to obviously devoted to Lennie. George’s behavior is Lennie. George’s behavior is motivated by the desire to motivated by the desire to protect Lennie and, protect Lennie and, eventually, deliver them eventually, deliver them both to the farm of their both to the farm of their dreams. Though George is dreams. Though George is the source for the often-told the source for the often-told story of life on their future story of life on their future farm, it is Lennie’s childlike farm, it is Lennie’s childlike faith that enables George to faith that enables George to actually believe his account actually believe his account of their future. of their future.

The setting in The setting in OfOf Mice and Mice and MenMen

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 The ranch in the novel is near Soledad, which is near Soledad, which is south-east of Salinas is south-east of Salinas on the Salinas river.on 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 based on Steinbeck’s own experiences. own experiences.

Soledad, CaliforniaSoledad, California

California in the 1930sCalifornia in the 1930s

Why Migrant Workers?Why Migrant Workers?

Before technology Before technology created farm created farm machinery, humans 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 the 1930s, thousands the 1930s, thousands of men would travel the of men would travel the countryside in search countryside in search of work.of work.

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

Migrant WorkersMigrant Workers These workers would earn These workers would earn

$2.50 or $3.00 a day, plus $2.50 or $3.00 a day, plus food and shelter.food and shelter.

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

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

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 be happy is enshrined in be happy is enshrined in the Constitution.the 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 onwards, immigrants have dreamed of a have dreamed of a better life in America.better life in America.

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

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

The idea of an American Dream for The idea of an American Dream for many was broken when in 1929, many was broken when in 1929, the Wall Street crashed, marking the Wall Street crashed, marking the beginning of the Great the beginning of the Great Depression.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 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 Lennie dreamt of having a “little Lennie dreamt of having a “little house and a couple of acres” house and a couple of acres” which was their own dream. which was their own dream.

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

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 story is as much a story

about the nature of human dreams and aspirations about the nature of human dreams and aspirations and the forces that work against them as it is the and the forces that work against them as it is the story of two men. story of two men.

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

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

LonelinessLoneliness– In addition to dreams, humans crave contact with In addition to dreams, humans crave contact with

others to give life meaning. Loneliness is present others to give life meaning. Loneliness is present throughout this novel. throughout this novel.

Themes in Themes in Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men PowerlessnessPowerlessness

– Steinbeck’s characters are often the underdogs, and he shows Steinbeck’s characters are often the underdogs, and he shows compassion toward them throughout the body of his writings. compassion toward them throughout the body of his writings. Powerlessness takes many forms—intellectual, financial, Powerlessness takes many forms—intellectual, financial, societal—and Steinbeck touches on them all.societal—and Steinbeck touches on them all.

FateFate– Life’s unpredictable nature is another subject that defines the Life’s unpredictable nature is another subject that defines the

human condition. Just when it appears that George and Lennie human condition. Just when it appears that George and Lennie will get their farm, fate steps in. will get their farm, fate steps in.

My Brother’s KeeperMy Brother’s Keeper– Steinbeck makes the reader wonder whether Steinbeck makes the reader wonder whether mankindmankind should should

go alone in the world or be responsible and helpful to others go alone in the world or be responsible and helpful to others who are less fortunate. who are less fortunate.

NatureNature– Steinbeck uses nature images to reinforce his themes and to Steinbeck uses nature images to reinforce his themes and to

set the mood. set the mood.

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men – Title’s – Title’s OriginOrigin

The title of the novel comes from a The title of the novel comes from a poem by the Scottish poet Robert poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759 -96)Burns (1759 -96)

The best laid schemes o’ mice and The best laid schemes o’ mice and menmenGang aft agley Gang aft agley [often go wrong][often go wrong]And leave us nought but grief and And leave us nought but grief and painpainFor promised joy!For promised joy!

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

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