Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is the story of two migrant ranch workers during The Great Depression, one of whom is mentally disabled.

Much like Steinbeck's follow-up novel, The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men explores the inhumanity of men in desperate times and the inability of the common man to achieve ideals.

Of Mice and Men received considerable accolades from critics, including The New York Times and The New Republic. At the time, it was Steinbeck's most praised work.

It was subsequently banned from many public schools and libraries for its profane language and supposed promotion of euthanasia.

There are several dogs in Of Mice and Men that represent the weakness of man and the inevitability of death. The plight of these puppies exemplifies the dominance of the strong and fortunate over the week and poor. Steinbeck reveals his pessimistic view of human nature during the Depression, as shown by Lennie's oblivious actions to his puppy.

• • Mahalo's Guide to John Steinbeck
• Wikipedia: John Steinbeck
• National John Steinbeck Center
• Books and Writers: John Steinbeck Biography
• Nobelprize.org: John Steinbeck Biography

• The majority of the following links are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• 1937: Of Mice and Men (Stage Production)

• 1939: Of Mice and Men

• 1968: Of Mice and Men

• 1974: Of Mice and Men (Broadway Production)

• 1981: Of Mice and Men

• 1992: Of Mice and Men