Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, Is a Depressing Book, Do You Agree?

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“Of Mice And Men” By John Steinbeck Question: Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, is a depressing book, do you agree? The novel “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck was written during the time of the American depression. This was in the 1930s, when America had a very difficult economy, and many men had no jobs. Many men were forced to travel in order to find work, on ranches. George and Lennie were two migrant workers who were travelling together and looking after one another. They are very different individuals, and it seems a bit strange that they should travel together, George is described as small, with dark hair, and he is the clever one. Lenny, on the other hand, is described as “his opposite”, very large, strong, and not very bright. He is childlike, and is described “like a bear”. They look after each other, when they travel, and they dream of a new life by owning their own ranch, where Lennie gets to tend the rabbits. If they did not have each other, they would be lonely, and “Guys like us are the lonliest guys in the world. They got no family, they don’t belong no place.” (Page 15). The dream of the ranch keeps them going, and they like being together, “…Because I got you to look after me, and you’ve got me to look after you.” (Page 15). This makes them different from the other migrant workers. However, it is evident that Lennie gets into trouble, and George has to get him out of it. George becomes fed up occasionally. Lennie also likes to pet things, and he keeps dead mice In his pockets, which George has to throw away. “God almighty, if I was alone, I could live so easy. I could go get a job, and work, no trouble… and what’ta I got, I got you, you get in trouble, you do bad things, and I got to get you out!” (Page 12). George usually feels sorry, after he’s got annoyed with Lennie, but he does warn Lennie to hide in the brush, if he gets
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