Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Essay

Every piece of lit geological erature created is influenced by the season in which it was written. A particular text is a reflection of the era or period in which it was born. An author is contained within a specific time in history, and his writing be go intos the result of the social, economic or govern mental milieu of that time. This is the reason why it is extremely important for a commentator to determine the context of the story in order to fully trans track a piece of literature. Of Mice and Men by sewer Steinbeck is a nifty example of how a text reflects a particular era.It is a sweet written in the mid-thirties and revealed what was happening during that time in California. Hence, John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men is a reflection of California during the 1930s. Of Mice and Men is a story virtually the intimacy between George Milton and Lennie Small. The two men atomic number 18 remarkably different from each early(a). Steinbeck (1994) described George as small a nd quick, off-key of face, with restless eyes and sharp, strong features (p. 4). He depicted Lennie as the paired of his companion he was a huge man, shapeless of face, with large, pale eyes, with all-encompassing sloping shoulders (Steinbeck, 1994, p.4). However, their differences were not limited to physical appearances. George is intelligent, but his friend Lennie is mentally challenged (Steinbeck, 1994). The mental condition of the latter forced him to depend solely on the former. While George often expressed displeasure nigh the burden of cosmos Lennies companion, he proved to be a dedicated friend. He served as Lennies guardian. Unfortunately, Lennies disability caused him to be involved in great knock over. He was un adapted to discern his experience strength, accidentally harming and cleanup spot another(prenominal)s in the process.In the end, George continues to fulfill his role as Lennies guardian he killed Lennie himself to sp are him from finale in the hands of Curley (Steinbeck, 1994). While the friendship between George and Lenny is the main focus of the story, the history of California plays a large and more significant role in the invigorated. Of Mice and Men is in any case a story about California and the occupations which plagued it during the 1930s. John Steinbeck wrote three books which delved into the situation in California in 1930s Of Mice and Men is the second book in the trilogy. The other two novels were In Dubious Battle and The Grapes of Wrath.In On Mice and Men, the relationship between George and Lennie is set against the back throw off of 1930s California. Both men are migrant workers with a single vision they valued to own a piece of land and upraise it themselves. George said, Somedaywere gonna sterilize the jack together and were gonna have a bittie field and a couple of acres an a cow and some pigs (Steinbeck, 1994). This ambition was influenced, if not completely defined, by the problems of the state at t hat particular time. In the Introduction of the On Mice and Men, Shillinglaw (1994) described California in the 1930s.During the 1930s, the main problem in California was rural labor. Since the 1900s, most of the agriculturally abundant valleys were located in California. Produce such as broccoli, lettuce, sugar beets and strawberries were only some of those harvested in plenitude. The vast uprises in California required many laborers for its harvest. Meanwhile, the Southwest component part of America suffered from drought. Due to the drought, the once bountiful lands became similar to deserts. As a result, laborers left what was known as the Dust roster to try their percentage in California.Since 1935, an estimated 350,000 people from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas stormed the Golden say in hopes of conclusion jobs in the farms. While it was true that California had enormous agricultural field which supplied most of the countrys produce, the employment of workers were still a problem. in that respect were too many people to accommodate for jobs in these farms. Workers from the Dust Bowl wandered throughout the state in search of crops to farm, as they were desperate for work. By 1936, California was faced with a major problem the constant flux of poor and hungry migrants from the Southwest.The situation of wandering farm workers was illustrated in Of Mice and Men. The novel began with the arrival of George and Lennie in the Salinas River. George was upset that the bus driver did not drop them off at the proper location. He said, Didnt wanta stop at the bedcover gate, thats what (Steinbeck, 1994, p. 6). The two men exemplified the situation of all the other migrant workers in California during the 1930s. Agricultural laborers such as George and Lennie were direct from one paste to another, in search for work.George asked Lennie, You remember about us goin into Murray and coifs, and they give us work cards and bus tickets? (Steinbeck, 1994, p. 7). M urray and Ready had provided both men with the cards and tickets, then sent them to the next feast. jibe to the novel, the last farm they worked for was called Weed. The plight of the itinerant laborers was best expressed by Georges words They come to a ranch an work up a s bow and then they go inta town and blow their stake, and the outset thing you know theyre poundin their tail on some other ranch (Steinbeck, 1994, p. 15).The novel also portrayed the difficult life of masculine migrant workers and their need for human company. It was said that majority of the migrant agricultural workers in California were single men. Since the 1870s until 1930, the fruit and wheat crops of the Golden utter were harvested by single men. These men were modern day nomads, for they constantly travel from one place to another. They carried bindles whenever they went. George confirmed the situation of male farm workers in California Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest true ca ts in the world. They got no family. They dont belong no place (Steinbeck, 1994, p. 15).The solitude of the farm workers resulted in the constant need for companionship. In the absence of wives and families, the male itinerant laborers develop friendships instead. The friendship between George and Lennie was the kind of relationship created due to the circumstances of the migrant workers. Despite his complaints about having Lennie around, it was apparent that George was just as qualified on Lennie as Lennie was dependent on him. Whenever Lennie threatened to leave, George told him that he wanted his friend to stay. Their bond was so strong that they did not consider themselves as similar to the aforementioned lonely guys.George said With us it aint like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a shite about us (Steinbeck, 1994, p. 15). The novel revealed how agricultural laborers were marginalized in California society. All of them were position and lived on d ire conditions. Despite the unfortunate circumstances which befell them, there are those who remained optimistic and ambitious. However, even the ambitious laborers also fail. They would simply leave the ranch and proceed to another place. In the novel, George and Lennie went to the bunk house of the next ranch they were supposed to work for.When George asked Candy why the former occupant of his new bed quit, this was the solvent Hejust quit, the way a guy will. Says it was the food. Just wanted to move (Steinbeck, 1994, p. 20). George and Lennie were also ambitious. They have grown tire of working from one ranch to another, and working for people like Curley. They dreamt of having a piece of land they can personally attend to. The dream was revealed early on in the novel, and was continuously mentioned throughout the story. Candy overheard the two victorious about their desire for their own (Steinbeck, 1994).He responded positively, and even offered his savings to both men so t hat he could also live on their land. Crooks also learned about the plan to buy land. During one night, Lennie spoke to Crooks about his plan to own land with George. Unlike Candy, Crooks had a different response to the plan. He discouraged Lennie by insinuating that his dream will never come true. Crooks said I seen hundreds of men come by on the driveway an on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an that same damn thing in their headsevery damn one of ems got a little piece of land in his head.An never a God damn one of em ever gets it (Steinbeck, 1994, p. 75). The character of Crooks was pay off in 1930s California, many workers did not achieve the success they originally hoped to find there. By the end of the novel, George and Lennie proved to be unsuccessful as well. The dream of George and Lennie to contain their own land did not come true. Lennie has a fondness for smooching things which are soft it was this fondness which guaranteed his demise (Steinbeck, 1994). Lennie and George were forced to leave the ranch in Weed because Lennies petting had gotten them in trouble.In the ranch in Soledad, Lennie accidentally killed a puppy because he was too strong. By accident, he pulled the hair of Curleys wife and also broke her neck, make her to die. When Curley and the rest of the men in the ranch found out that Lennie killed the wife, they form a mob and went to search for Lennie. Before they arrived at the ranch, George told Lennie to return to the Salinas River in case he got in trouble. George told his friend, Lennieif you jus happen to get in trouble like you always done before, I want you to come right here an hide in the brush (Steinbeck, 1994, p. 17).After he killed Curleys wife, Lennie proceed to the brush and George met him there. George began to speak of the land they would own together and the rabbits that Lennie would take care of. Afterwards, he shot Lennie on the back of his head (Steinbeck, 1994). The farm was a representation of every migrant workers dream to own a piece of land and be in see of their own lives. The farm served as a symbol of freedom and independence. For George, the death of his friend was also the end of their dream. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck was sincerely yours a representation of California during the 1930s.Through the story of George, Lennie and the other characters, Steinbeck was able to illustrate the agricultural labor problem that existed in the Golden State during that decade. The novel revealed the displacement of workers, the harsh realities of living as a nomad in California, their isolation and need for companionship and the broken dreams that come with the journey. By recitation this novel, one is given a glimpse of California in the 1930s. propagation Steinbeck, J. (1994). Of Mice and Men. New York Penguin Classics.