Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
"Of Mice and Men" is a novella by John Steinbeck that explores the complex relationship between two displaced migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, during the Great Depression. The story unfolds as George and Lennie arrive at a California ranch in search of work, carrying dreams of one day owning their own piece of land. George, small and sharp-witted, often acts as a caretaker for Lennie, who is large and mentally challenged, exhibiting childlike innocence and strength.
As they settle into life on the ranch, they encounter various challenges, including clashes with the aggressive son of the ranch owner, Curley, and the isolation faced by other characters such as Crooks, a black stable worker. The narrative takes a tragic turn as Lennie's inability to control his strength leads to a fatal confrontation with Curley’s wife, resulting in her accidental death. The story poignantly addresses themes of friendship, dreams, loneliness, and the harsh realities of life for marginalized individuals during this era. Ultimately, the novella culminates in a heartbreaking resolution that reflects on sacrifice and the loss of dreams.
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
First published: 1937
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Impressionistic realism
Time of plot: Mid-twentieth century
Locale: Salinas Valley, California
Principal Characters
Lennie Small , a simpleminded giantGeorge Milton , Lennie's friendCandy , a ranch swamperCurley , the ranch owner’s sonSlim , the jerkline skinner on the ranchCrooks , the black stable buck
The Story
Late one hot afternoon, two men carrying blanket rolls trudge down the path that leads to the bank of the Salinas River. One man, George Milton, is small and wiry. The other man, Lennie Small, is a large, lumbering fellow whose arms hang loosely at his sides. After they drink at the sluggish water and wash their faces, George sits back with his legs drawn up. Lennie imitates him.
George and Lennie are on their way to a ranch, hired to buck barley there. Lennie had cost them their jobs at their last stop in Weed, where he was attracted by a woman’s red dress. He had grabbed at her clothes. He became frightened by her screaming and then would not let go of her; George was forced to hit him over the head to make him let go. They ran away to avoid a lynching.
After George lectures his companion about letting him talk to their new employer when they are interviewed, Lennie begs for a story he has already heard many times. It is the story of the farm they would own one day. It would have chickens, rabbits, and a vegetable garden, and Lennie would be allowed to feed the rabbits. The threat that Lennie would not be allowed to care for the rabbits if he does not obey causes him to keep still when they arrive at the ranch the next day. In spite of George’s precautions, their new boss is not easy to deal with. He is puzzled because George gives Lennie no chance to talk.
While the men are waiting for the lunch gong, the owner’s son, Curley, comes in, ostensibly looking for his father, but actually to examine the new men. After he leaves, Candy, the swamper who sweeps out the bunkhouse, warns them that Curley is a prizefighter who delights in picking on the men and that he is extremely jealous of any attention given to his slatternly bride.
Lennie has a foreboding of evil and wants to leave, but the two men have no money with which to continue their wanderings. By evening, however, Lennie is happy again. The dog belonging to Slim, the jerkline skinner, had pups the night before, and Slim gave one to simpleminded Lennie.
Slim is easy to talk to. While George plays solitaire that evening, he tells his new friend of the incident in Weed. He has just finished his confidence when Lennie comes in, hiding his puppy inside his coat. George tells Lennie to take the pup back to the barn. He says that Lennie will probably spend the night there with the animal.
The bunkhouse had been deserted by all except old Candy when Lennie asks once more to hear the story of the land they would some day buy. At its conclusion, the swamper speaks up. He has $350 saved, he says, and he knows he will not be able to work many more years. He wants to join George and Lennie in their plan. George finally agrees, for with Candy’s money they will soon be able to buy the farm they had in mind.
Lennie is still grinning with delighted anticipation when Curley comes to the bunkhouse in search of his wife. The men had been taunting him about her wantonness when he spies Lennie’s grin. Infuriated with the thought that he was being laughed at, Curley attacks the larger man. Lennie, remembering George’s warnings, does nothing to defend himself at first. Finally, he grabs Curley’s hand and squeezes. When he lets go, every bone has been crushed. Curley is driven off to town for treatment, with instructions from Slim to say that he had caught his hand in a machine. Slim warns him that the humiliating truth will soon be known if he fails to tell a convincing story.
After the others start to town with Curley, Lennie leaves to talk to Crooks, the black stable buck, who has his quarters in the harness room instead of the bunkhouse. Crooks’s coolness quickly melts before Lennie’s innocence. While Lennie tells Crooks about the dream of the farm, Candy joins them. They are deep in discussion when Curley’s wife appears, looking for her husband. The story about her husband and the machine does not deceive her, and she hints that she is pleased with Lennie for what he has done. Having put an end to the men’s talk, she slips out noiselessly when she hears the others come back from town.
Lennie is in the barn petting his puppy. The other workmen pitch horseshoes outside. Lennie does not realize that the puppy is already dead from the mauling he had innocently given it. As he sits in the straw, Curley’s wife comes around the corner of the stalls. He does not speak to her at first, afraid that he will not get to feed the rabbits if he does anything wrong, but the woman gradually manages to draw his attention to her and persuades him to stroke her hair. When she tries to pull her head away, Lennie holds on, growing afraid as she tries to yell. Finally, he shakes her violently and breaks her neck.
Curley’s wife is lying half-buried in the hay when Candy comes into the barn in search of Lennie. Finding Lennie gone, he calls George, and while the latter leaves to get a gun, the swamper spreads the alarm. Carrying a loaded shotgun, Curley starts off with the men, George among them. It is George who finds Lennie hiding in the bushes at the edge of a stream. Hurriedly, for the last time, he tells his companion the story of the rabbit farm, and when he finishes, Lennie begs that they leave at once to look for the farm. Knowing that Lennie cannot escape from Curley and the other men, George puts the muzzle of his gun to the back of his friend’s head and pulls the trigger. Lennie is dead when the others arrive.
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