Of Mice and Men

Bibliography:Steinbeck, J. (2000) Of Mice and Men. New York, NY: Penguin.

Genre:fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age:15+yrs

Reader's Annotation:Best friends George and Lennie struggle to keep their dream alive amid prejudice and controversy.

Author:John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was an iconic American writer who set many of his stories near Salinas, CA. Most of his characters struggle against the harsh social climate of the Great Depression. Some of Steinbeck’s more famous novels include The Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row, East of Eden and Of Mice and Men. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1940 and the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962.

Plot Summary:George and Lennie travel around Northern California looking for work as ranch hands. As Lennie’s protector, George conceals certain facts about their last jobs and also the history of Lenny’s violent tendencies. They find jobs working for a harsh rancher named Curly. Life goes well, and George and Lennie revisit their dream of having their own farm. Unfortunately, events happen that reveal Lennie’s mental incapacity and threaten their jobs and friendship.

Critical Evaluation:The characterizations of George and Lennie drive this short novel. Steinbeck represents their friendship almost like an adult and a child. There is more to it, however—a serious bond between the two of them. We come to realize the extent of their affection at the end of the novel. Their solid friendship contrast with the changing landscapes, the inconsistency of employment, and George’s belief in the good of men.
Many readers of this novel will take offense at Lennie's mental disability. It is a driving force of the plot, yet it is subtly shown in the novel. The end of the story will also be unpleasant for many readers. George's actions are indefensible (he commits a serious crime), but in other ways it is his only choice. Students should not pick up this book to read "only" because it is short. This novel has many complexities that are not obvious from looking at it. Students reading this novel would benefit greatly from discussions about it. It's likely that they would not understand it all by themselves, on a first reading. Students will probably get more out Of Mice and Men in a class discussion setting.

Curriculum Ties:Student choice book report, racism of the 1930s

Book Talk Ideas:read one section in first person point of view from George, and then the same section from Lennie's point of view.

Challenge Issues:violence, mental disability, misogyny, racism, language

Why was this text included in this project?This novel was included because it is regularly required reading for high school students.