Of Mice and Men
Uploaded by Admin on Sep 23, 2001
The Great Depression was a difficult time for all Americans. The economy was terrible, no one was making any money, and people were forced to live on the streets or work for food. That is exactly what George Milton and Lennie Small did in Of Mice and Men. Set in the 1930's during the Depression, Of Mice and Men deals with many moral issues such as retardation, euthanasia, and friendship. With such characters as Curley, Slim, and Crooks, this book was thoroughly enjoyable and realistic in every sense.
In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck illustrates the possibilities that life has and its effects on Lennie, Crooks and George. It shows a view of two outsiders struggling to understand their own unique places in the world. Steinbeck suggests humans have the natural potential to seek happiness although the potential can be fatal or harmful.
Although Lennie does not have the potential to be smart, Lennie has the potential to be a hard worker; however, Lennie's strength did not work with him and the result was fatal. Lennie is an extremely large man who had the strength of a bull. With the use of his strength, he was a great worker but did not understand how strong he was. George explains Lennie's strength by "that big b*****d can put up more grain alone than most pairs can,"(p. 34) Through his size and his enormous amount of strength, Lennie could out work the other men of the ranch by himself. By using Lennie's strength he became a great worker who knew nothing more than to work. Lennie uses his abilities to work hard, but does not understand how strong he is. Without George, Lennie does not understand what to do. Lennie, who gets frightened and uses his strength to hold on to objects, is just like a child. He will do whatever George tells him to: "Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie's hand"(p. 63). George slapped Lennie in the face repeatedly and still Lennie held on. Through Lennie's actions we can see that Lennie is very similar to a child. Lennie's first instinct when he is frightened is to hold on. Just as a little kid holds on to its mum or dad when they become frightened, Lennie holds on to objects.
Because of Lennie's inability to understand his strength,...