OF MICE AND MEN

Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck's depression novella, was published in 1937.  It tells the story of George and Lennie, two itinerant ranch workers in 1930s California.  The Wall Street crash and drought conditions have laid most of central America to desert and brought about a harsh depression - even California, the 'Golden Valley', is affected.  Prejudice, loneliness and the curse of the American Dream make ranchers' lives tough.  

Read and re-read this novel until you are absolutely certain of the themes, plots, characters and how the novel is structured in a cyclical way, with the opening and closing of the novel both being set at the Salinas river pool and George and Lennie's dream (note the differences between Steinbeck's description of the setting in the final section and the opening section). 

Context is key to the AQA exam questions, so be certain that you fully understand the impact of the depression on 1930s California, the extent of racism, sexism and other prejudices, the lives of migrant workers and the backdrop to all of this, the American Dream - the mirage which gave so many people something (false) to live for.

Steinbeck's use of symbolism (the colour red - red dress- red feather; rabbits; mouse; ranch (microcosm of 1930s Californian society; the Salinas river; the pool; Candy's dog etc) and the constant use of foreshadowing (both through speech and actions - Carlson's killing of Candy's dog foreshadows George killing Lennie) and the emphasis on the four settings (Salinas pool, bunkhouse, Crook's room, barn) underpin the novella and you should make sure you research these, if you do not already know and understand them.

There are useful web resources for understanding OMAM.  First stop could be BBC Bitesize, which is great for key themes, character, plot and structure points and has amazing context film footage.  Next, Sparknotes is useful for analysis and Universal Teacher is also excellent. 

You can find the whole text on line.  Type Of Mice and Men whole text into google search or just click on this link.

KEY WORDS: INJUSTICE, ISOLATION, loneliness, responsibility, misogynist, hierarchy, MICROCOSM, SEXIST, ageist, RACISM, segregation, DEPRESSION, SYMOLISM, foreshadowing, NATURE, CONTRASTS