"Of Mice and Men"

Robert Sanga Hualngo


Of Mice and Men novel was written by Nobel Prize in Literature winner John Steinbeck. The book was first published in 1937 and later the film version was produced in 1992. It told the story of migrant ranch workers during Great Depression in Soledad, California, USA.

The story was taken place in California near "Soledad" town during the year 1930. The word Soledad means solitude in Spanish. The novel began with the detail description of landscapes and the ranch in which migrant workers used to work and stay.

It was troublesome to earn a living during the time of Great Depression in America. George Milton and Lennie were migrant workers who had to run away from Weed, Carlifornia. Lennie was targeted for arrestment as he was accused of attempting to rape a woman. Due to mental retardation and lack of self control by Lennie, they had to keep on running from one place to another.

On their way, Lennie secretly brought a dead mouse in his pocket. George noticed and threw it away though Lennie insisted to pet it for himself. George was intelligence but did not possess a big body structure like Lennie did. They were a good friend with different abilities.

George has to take cares of Lennie as he is suffering from mental defect and had to totally depend on him. They were fortunate to have got a chance to work at the isolated ranch own by the “Boss” which was located near Soledad. There they met other laborers in the ranch.

Candy an old man was the first person in the ranch that they had met and they were later introduced to other laborers. Curley did not like a big guy like Lennie. Curley wife way of talking and dressing were very attractive. Therefore, George told Lennie to stay away from Curley and his wife. They both seem to be troubles maker for them in the future.

George informed Slim about their previous job and the reason for leaving it. Lennie was glad to carry around a small dog which belongs to Slim. Candy old smelly dog was intolerable to those who are in the bunkhouse. Carlson offered to kill Candy dog with his gun, but it was not accepted. However, he later succeeded in his persuasions.

George talked often about their future dream. It was because Lennie was happy to just even imagine of having the opportunity to tend rabbits in dream. They almost accomplished their dream as Candy offered to spend his saving with them. But it turned into disaster because Lennie had troubles with both Curley and his wife. Those troubles ultimately were the causes of destroying their dream.

Curley got unintentional fight with Lennie in the bunkhouse. Lennie was beaten up; in respond he crushed Curley hand. Curley wife was accidentally killed by Lennie after he had stroked her hairs. It was because he had accidentally broken her neck while he tried to stop her scream. After having unexpected troubles, Lennie runs and hided by the bank of river. The laborers planned to kill him in retaliation for which they searched him.

George went to Lennie place of hiding and comforted him for what had happened. He knew that Curley and the mob will capture Lennie and give him a painful death. Therefore, George decided to shoot Lennie on his head so that he may have a quick dead. He did it from the back side of Lennie after he retold about their dream home for the last time.

The novel characters had a variety of dreams which could not be accomplished. Each one of them had to deal with unavoidable circumstances and the reality of life in those days. The empty hopes, helplessness, loneliness and unavoidable circumstance play as central themes of the novel. The story end in tragedy and George was force to leave his dream and friends.
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