Of Mice and Men Book Review (John Steinbeck)
“Of Mice and Men” is one of Steinbeck’s novels capturing the era of the Great Depression, published in 1937. It is a short story that climaxes quickly, depicting the livelihoods of Lennie and George, two migrant workers in the ranches of California. Steinbeck is a master in characterization, depicting individual personalities, circumstances, and struggles subtly. As we follow Lennie and George in the California ranches, we get a glimpse of their American dream and friendship that climaxes tragically with an inevitable end.
The literary power of the book radiates from the relationship between the 2 main characters — their friendship in a destitute world and shared dream despite hard circumstances. “Guys like us that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world. They ain’t got no family and they don’t belong no place.” “But I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you.” With lively characterization through the creation of tensions, dialogue, and ambiance, the story leaves the reader apprehensively anticipating the final climax, worrying about the characters at subtle hints of a looming tragedy.
Steinbeck brings to light many societal issues back in the days of the 1920s-1930s, including the social divide of poverty, race, sex, and those with disabilities. He elegantly places characters that are struggling on the edges of society through giving readers a glimpse of their livelihoods on the Californian ranches. The story masterfully portrays the contrast of (1) The close-knitted friendship in a destitute and brutal world, (2) Lennie’s kind-hearted mentality of a child in a huge figure, (3) George’s small figure protecting his huge companion Lennie…
Despite the story’s setting in the Great Depression era, many universal values and lights of humanity transcend through time. What Lennie and George dreams for is a piece of land to call their own: “We could live offa the fatta the lan’.” Their desires were particular to the 1930s immigrant farm workers, but also very universal in today’s world.
We are all so different from Lennie and George, yet we can also be very alike. Venturing off with a few fellow grads off work on a Friday night to 土瓜灣, a part of town that we were not familiar with, a simple conversation stayed with me. Some of the residences there were 5 storied houses, with a simple yet grounded ambiance along the district…unlike the extravagant and commercial districts of HK island. “This part of town looks so different. The houses look sort of nice.” “Is it like this in ******?” People wish for a dwelling providing stability and belonging, and the warmth of friendship and companionship. We are also anchored by dreams and future possibilities — amid harder life circumstances, dreams provide relief for, and respite from, present challenges.
2 of the quotes that stayed with me:
“As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a moment. And sound stopped and movement stopped for much, much more than a moment.”…heaviness of time and silence.
“A guy needs somebody―to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he’s with you. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick.”
