Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck - English Literature - Pearson IGCSE

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Welcome to the World of "Of Mice and Men"!

Hello! We are about to dive into one of the most powerful and moving novels in modern literature: John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Don't worry if you find classic novels tricky sometimes—we will break down every key concept step-by-step!

This novella is set during a tough time in American history, but its themes—loneliness, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams—are timeless. Understanding this novel is vital for the Modern Prose section, as it teaches us how authors use setting and character to explore big, important ideas.

Let's get started on unlocking this incredible story!

Section 1: The Context is Key (Setting the Stage)

To truly understand George and Lennie, you must first understand the difficult world they lived in. Steinbeck wrote about real issues facing Americans in the 1930s.

Understanding the 1930s and the Great Depression

The 1930s marked a period known as The Great Depression. This was a time of massive poverty and unemployment in the USA. Farmers lost their land, businesses failed, and millions were left jobless and hungry.

Migrant Workers: George and Lennie are examples of "migrant workers" (sometimes called 'bindlestiffs' because they carried their belongings in a bindle, or blanket roll).
The Search for Work: These men travelled constantly, moving from ranch to ranch in places like the Salinas Valley (California), taking temporary, hard labour jobs just to survive. They had no permanent home.

The American Dream (And Why It Failed)

The American Dream is the idea that anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and happiness through hard work. For George and Lennie, the dream was simple:

To own a small piece of land, keep rabbits, and "live off the fatta the lan’."

Analogy: Think of the American Dream in the 1930s like a lottery ticket. Millions wanted to win (own a home, be stable), but the economic reality meant that only a few lucky people actually could. For the migrant workers, the dream was a comforting illusion—a story they told to keep going, even though the odds were stacked against them.

Quick Review: Context Key Takeaways

The novel is set during The Great Depression. This meant life was unstable, and the American Dream (owning land) was almost impossible for poor, travelling men.

Section 2: The Main Players (Character Analysis)

The relationships between the characters drive the entire tragedy of the novel. We must look at their desires (what they want) and their purpose (why Steinbeck included them).

1. George Milton – The Thinker and Protector

George is small, smart, and quick. He is Lennie's guardian and often acts like a parent or a teacher to him.

Role: He represents the common man who must sacrifice his personal freedom for the sake of companionship.
Conflict: He often complains about Lennie, but we know his deepest fear is being lonely, just like the other ranch workers.
Key Trait: Realism. He is the only one who truly understands how unlikely the dream is, but he keeps telling the story for Lennie's happiness (and his own comfort).

2. Lennie Small – The Child and the Burden

Lennie is massive and incredibly strong, but mentally disabled. His surname "Small" is ironic because he is physically huge but mentally small (childlike).

Role: He represents innocence and vulnerability. He is the ultimate obstacle to George’s independence.
Tragic Flaw: He loves soft things (like mice, puppies, or Curley's Wife's hair) but does not understand his own strength, which leads to accidental violence.
Key Desire: To tend the rabbits on their future farm. This simple desire fuels the entire dream.

3. Candy – The Crippled and the Vulnerable

Candy is an old ranch hand who has lost one hand in an accident. He is worried about his future.

Role: Candy embodies the fate of the weak and useless in 1930s society. He is disposable.
Significance: When his old dog is shot, it foreshadows Lennie's death—both are killed because they are seen as burdens and are no longer useful to society.
Connection: He desperately wants to join George and Lennie’s dream farm, showing how universal the need for security and belonging is.

4. Slim – The Voice of Authority and Wisdom

Slim is the respected mule driver ("skinner") on the ranch. Everyone listens to him.

Role: Slim is often called the "prince of the ranch." He represents natural aristocracy—he commands respect simply by his presence and calm understanding, not by force.
Importance: He is the only one who truly understands the depth of the friendship between George and Lennie, especially at the end of the novel.

5. Curley's Wife – The Trapped Victim

She is never given a name, often just referred to as "Curley's wife," which immediately tells us she is defined only by her relationship to her husband.

Role: She represents the limited options for women during the Depression, especially lonely women on isolated ranches. She is desperate for attention.
Key Theme: Loneliness. She constantly wanders the ranch looking for conversation, which the men see as flirtatious and dangerous.
Did you know? Steinbeck uses her character to show that even those who seem antagonistic (like her) are suffering from the same theme of isolation.

Quick Review: Character Key Takeaways

George and Lennie's unique bond contrasts with the overwhelming loneliness of the other characters (Candy, Crooks, Curley's Wife). Their dynamic shows how rare true companionship was.

Section 3: Exploring the Big Ideas (Themes)

Themes are the central ideas or messages that the author wants the reader to think about. This is where you earn the highest marks in your analysis!

Theme 1: Loneliness and Isolation

Loneliness is the defining feature of the migrant worker's life. The ranch is full of isolated individuals who crave connection.

Evidence: Crooks (isolated by race), Candy (isolated by age/disability), Curley's Wife (isolated by gender/marriage).
Contrast: George and Lennie stand out because they have each other, making their situation rare and special. This friendship provides them with stability the others lack.
Key Point: Steinbeck suggests that humans need companionship to be truly healthy, both mentally and emotionally.

Theme 2: The Failure of the American Dream

While the dream provides hope, the novel tragically shows that in the harsh reality of the 1930s, dreams often fail.

The Dreamers: George, Lennie, and Candy share the specific goal of the farm.
The Reality: External forces (the Depression, lack of money) and internal flaws (Lennie's lack of control) destroy the dream.
Ending: George having to kill Lennie is the ultimate symbolic destruction of the American Dream—it proves that even the smallest, most personal hopes cannot survive the brutal world.

Theme 3: Prejudice and Marginalisation

The novel highlights how society treats those who are different or weak. Marginalisation means being pushed to the side and treated as unimportant.

Racism: Crooks, the black stable hand, is forced to live alone in the barn and is not allowed in the bunkhouse.
Sexism: Curley's Wife is constantly judged and ostracised by the men.
Ableism/Ageism: Candy is viewed as useless because he is old and disabled; Lennie is misunderstood because of his intellectual disability.

Memory Aid: Think of the outsiders as the C.C.C.L.: Candy, Crooks, Curley’s Wife, Lennie. They are all victims of prejudice.

Quick Review: Theme Key Takeaways

The core conflict is the fight between the dream (hope/companionship) and the reality (loneliness/prejudice). Steinbeck uses the tragic ending to show that reality always wins.

Section 4: Steinbeck’s Craft (Literary Techniques)

To write a high-scoring essay, you need to analyse *how* Steinbeck tells the story. These techniques are the writer's tools.

1. Foreshadowing (Hints of the Future)

Foreshadowing is a technique where the author gives subtle clues about what will happen later in the story. Steinbeck uses this masterfully to build a sense of impending tragedy.

Example 1: The Mouse and the Puppy: Lennie accidentally kills the mouse in his pocket and later the puppy. This strongly suggests that he will accidentally kill something larger and more important (Curley's Wife).
Example 2: Candy's Dog: The dog, which is old and useless, is shot in the back of the head as an act of mercy. This directly foreshadows George’s final, merciful act toward Lennie.

Don't worry if this seems tricky! Remember that Steinbeck deliberately shows us minor tragedies first so that when the major tragedy hits, we realise it was inevitable.

2. Symbolism (Objects with Deeper Meaning)

A symbol is an object, person, or place that represents an abstract idea.

The Farm/Rabbits: Symbolise the American Dream, independence, stability, and paradise.
Candy's Dog: Symbolises the marginalised and disposable members of society who are killed when they are no longer useful.
The Salinas River/Pool: The novel starts and ends here. It symbolises sanctuary and peace. It is the one place George and Lennie feel safe, and it is where George grants Lennie peace in the end.

3. Setting and Imagery (Visual Language)

Steinbeck uses rich, detailed descriptions (imagery) to make the settings feel real and to reflect the emotional atmosphere.

Natural Imagery: The opening scene near the river is idyllic (peaceful and beautiful). This contrasts sharply with the dirty, claustrophobic atmosphere of the bunkhouse and the dark, oppressive barn where the tragedy occurs.
The Bunkhouse: Represents the conformity and lack of individuality among the workers. Every bed, every box is the same, reflecting their shared, repetitive, lonely life.

Quick Review: Techniques Key Takeaways

Steinbeck uses Foreshadowing (Candy's dog) to make the ending feel inevitable. He uses Symbolism (the farm) to highlight the impossibility of the dream, and Imagery to contrast the hope of nature with the harsh reality of the ranch.

Top Tips for Exam Success

Remember these points when writing about Of Mice and Men in your exam:

1. Focus on the Relationship: Always bring your analysis back to George and Lennie. Their bond is the central force of hope and tragedy in the novel.

2. Use Context: When discussing the dream or loneliness, mention the 1930s and The Great Depression. This shows the examiner you understand the background (e.g., "The economic pressure of the Depression made the dream farm an essential, yet impossible, psychological escape.").

3. Quote Evidence: Always back up your points. If you say Candy is lonely, quote him saying, "I ain't got no relatives nor nothin'."

4. Structure is Key: Use P.E.E. (Point, Evidence, Explanation) or P.E.T.A.L. (Point, Evidence, Technique, Analysis, Link) to ensure your analysis is clear and thorough.

You have covered all the major aspects of "Of Mice and Men." Keep reviewing the characters' roles and the central themes, and you will be well prepared!