Article written by Victor Onuorah
Degree in Journalism from University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Key Facts about Of Mice and Men
- Title: Of Mice and Men.
- Author: John Steinbeck
- Language: English
- Inspiration: The Great Depression of 1929 to 1940. The Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
- Publisher: Covici Friede.
- Publication Date: February 6th, 1937.
- Literary Period: Post Modernism.
- Genre: Tragic fiction.
- Pagination: The standard book has 107 pages in all.
- Settings: At a ranch in Soledad, California.
- Climax: Lennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife and covers part of her body with hay before fleeing to the rendezvous point.
John Steinbeck and Of Mice and Men
The writing of the book ‘Of Mice and Men‘ came off inspiration from the event of the Great Depression and the famous Dust Bowl, both of which crippled the economy of The United States of America between 1929 and 1940.
Steinbeck was a witness to the event in the capacity of not only seeing how the working class suffered to make a living and fend for their families but that he too partook in the suffering – as he was part of the mass exodus of migrants who traveled to the west in search of a better life.
Steinbeck can relate with his characters in ‘Of Mice and Men,’ particularly with George and Lennie, who are constantly on the move against a fast-paced, economically shaken society that was leaving behind a group of individuals with very limited means.
Books Related To Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck’s book ‘Of Mice and Men‘ is written off the backdrop of the Great Depression nearly a century ago and has given new generations a peep into the nature of life after the historically tumultuous event, with Steinbeck accounting from the perspective of the peasant American population to which he represented and belonged.
Although Steinbeck’s book serves as a good reference to this event for leisurely or scholarly readers alike, there are other similar books that take inspiration from the same or even different noteworthy events that have gone down in history. Some of such books include – Ray Bradbury’s ‘Fahrenheit 451‘ and Miguel de Cervantes’ ‘Don Quixote.’
Of Mice and MenLasting Impact
The short novella ‘Of Mice and Men‘ is a book considered one of John Steinbeck’s best works, and its reputation still reaches well into today’s society following its 1937 official publication.
The book performed considerably well in the market and had even managed to sell more than 115,000 copies prior to its official date of publication, a feat which immediately saw it make the best-seller lists in record time. The book was also ushered in as a selection for the book of the month club.
Part of the major characteristics that led to the book excelling was its relatability to the pains and struggles and the general sociopolitical and socioeconomic zeitgeist of the times during the Great Depression. Steinbeck was intentional in capturing this reality on all fronts; the lingual, the culture, the whole state of affairs.
Although ‘Of Mice and Men‘ is a fictitious realism, Steinbeck captured the people’s hearts not only for the fact that he was an excellent storyteller but also for the reason that he himself lived through those hard times and wore the same old shoes as those penurious migrant workers who traveled aimlessly from place to place searching for a better life themselves and their loved ones.
Reviews of ‘Of Mice and Men’ were good as readers, and contemporary critics agreed the book met the standards and quality which were characteristic of Steinbeck’s previous works.
Of Mice and Men Review ⭐
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