Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men


I found the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ by John Steinbeck an inspirational read as it has made me aware of the importance of dreams. It is also a story of defeated hope, which illustrates the idea that dreams can be beneficial, but unrealistic dreams just lead to disappointment and grief.

The story concerns two migrant workers who go to work on a ranch. They have aspirations of acquiring their own piece of land on which to make a living but sadly their failure is almost destined.


Steinbeck creates the idea that the characters in this story live difficult lives and need dreams to give them something to look forward to during times of depression.
The story is set in the 1930’s when America was suffering an economic depression. Unemployment and poverty were very high with jobs scarce. Unskilled agricultural workers bore the brunt of it with machinery being used more and more as identified by George. ‘I seen thrashin’ machines o...