Of Mice and Men:
Title: Of Mice and Men
Author: John Steinbeck
Literary level: Intermediate
Classification: 4/5
Published in
1937 and written by John Steinbeck. Of mice and men is the gritty
story of an odd duo fending themselves in the harsh environment of the great
depression, looking for some cash to spend on booze and ladies of the night as
some sort of temporary commodity for their true dream: a proper house to raise
barn animals. Lennie Small and George Milton, a traveling duo, headed to
California in search of someplace that could take them, since George, the Big
and strong, yet dumb and soft, with severe mental issues always gets them in
trouble. Therefore, Lennie tries his best to be the one doing the talking while
on job hunting. Finally, they find one where they earn a steady income, enough
for them to save for their dream house, so George can tend his bunnies.
Lennie’s worst fear may come true, when the son of his boss, with a Napoleon
Complex, tries to get them fired any chance he gets. But everything changed when
his wife started to talk to George (one who does not shy away from soft and
pretty things and that always tends to get him in trouble), and accidentally
killed her with his brute strength, unraveling the sad ending.
Review: A literature classic that should be taught in
schools, making an understanding of one of the worst decades in the 20th
century, the Great Depression. It also shows discriminatory behaviors learned
back in the 30s, where segregation was at its highest point. The way they
scoured for money in a time where the economy was in literal shambles, but
still had a dream to attain regardless of the hardships they face. On the
other hand, it also shows how much of a disregard there was for mental issues
and how they lack any sympathy towards George, that evidently needed care and
attention. The sad ending was most impactful, once you realize that it was foreshadowed throughout the story, as well as making you care enough so you
take it all personally. All in all, one of the best classic short stories so
far, which has my stamp of approval.
ISBN: 0-14-017739-6