Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men is a novel written by John Steinbeck. It is about two men, George Milton and Lennie Small, who go to work on a ranch in California together. I believe that John Steinbeck sums it up best in the front of the book. He writes “ An intimate portrait of two men who cherish the slim bond between them and the dream they share in a world marred by petty tyranny, misunderstanding, jealousy, and callousness. Clinging to each other in their loneliness and alienation. George and his simple minded friend Lennie dream, as drifters will, of a place to call their own-a couple of acres and a few pigs, chickens, and rabbits back in Hill Country where land is cheap”

George is a small man who’s quick with a dark face and restless eyes. He has sharp and strong features. Small, strong hands, slender arms and a thin bony nose. Lennie is the complete opposite of George. He is a huge man with a shapeless face. Large pale eyes, wide sloping shoulders and he walks heavily dragging his feet. Just as a bear drags his paws. Both of them dressed in denim trousers and denim coats with brass buttons. They wore black shapeless hats and carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulders.

Lennie follows George step for step just as a child would. It is this that makes me believe that Lennie has some mental issues. The way that Mr. Steinbeck describes Lennie would indicate this. George and Lennie have come to California to work on a ranch. They have come to California for work due to being ran out their town, Weed, where they previously lived. Lennie got into some trouble there. They were run out of their previous job when Lennie wanted to feel a girl’s dress, and she screamed, accusing Lennie of attempting rape.

They have been left off miles away from the ranch. They are due to start work there, but decide not to go till the next day. It is here where George discovers that Lennie has been carrying a dead mouse in his pocket the whole time. This angers George and he makes Lennie throw the mouse into the brush. They then go over the plan for the following day. George insists that Lennie not say a word when they meet the boss of the ranch. George then has Lennie repeat this back to him over and over again until he is sure that Lennie understands. They set up camp about a quarter of a mile from the ranch. Lennie then ask George to tell them about the rabbits. George tells him the story which he has told Lennie time and time again. Someday they’re going to raise enough money to have a small farm. They will live off the fat of the land and have big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch. George then makes Lennie promise that he will not say a word and tells him that if there is any trouble like last time, he should come back to this place and hide in the brush until he comes for him.

The next day, George and Lennie arrive on the ranch. It is here where George and Lennie meet the other characters of the book. Candy a old crippled ranch worker who has lost a hand in an accident and is near the end of his useful life on the ranch. He owns an old dog who smells horrible and is later shot and killed to be put out of her misery. Curley who is the boss’s son. Once a semi-professional boxer. He is incredibly jealous and protective of his wife. Who immediately takes a disliking to Lennie due to his “Napoleon” complex. Curley’s wife who is young, pretty, flirty and to say the least “loose”. Slim a “jerk line skinner”, the main driver of a mule team. Also referred to “prince of the ranch”. Slim is also the one who does the mercy killing of Candy’s dog. Crooks