Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

1. Of Mice and Menby John Steinbeck Introduction

2. John Steinbeck • Born February 27, 1902 – Salinas, CA (Died 1968) • Grandson of German and Irish immigrants • Father and Grandfather – independent businessmen (flour mill) • Mother was the daughter of a CA rancher • She was a schoolteacher • Family was well-cultured • Books were prized possessions

3. Early Years • John always wanted to be a writer • Made all “B”s in school • Went to Stanford University • Dropped out after 5 years – didn’t graduate • Moved to NY when he was 23 • Unsuccessful – moved back to CA • Married Carol Henning in 1930 • Divorced in 1942

4. Success! • Tortilla Flats – 1935 • Wife Carol supported them both while he wrote • Of Mice and Men – 1937 • Financial and critical success • Produced on Broadway • Drama Critics’ Circle Award • The Grapes of Wrath – 1939 • Pulitzer Prize Winner • Nobel Prize for Literature - 1962

5. Historical Context • The Great Depression (1929) • Labor struggles in California (farming) • Mechanical combines replaced workers • Migrant workers partially unemployed – climate of farming • Max earnings $400/year – average $300/year • 1910 – foreign low wage workers • “Bindle-stiffs” • Single, white men – follow the harvest • No unions • WWII

6. Themes • Idealism vs. Reality • Alienation and Loneliness • Race and Racism • Class Conflict • Unfeeling, modern, materialistic society • Mental Disability • Separation, rejection • Friendship • Loyalty

7. Style • Point of View • Objective • 3rd person - impersonal • Setting • California’s Salinas Valley – Agriculture • The Great Depression • Symbolism • Safety = riverbank, rabbits, dreams • Foreshadowing