Of Mice and Men: A Literary Analysis of Steinbeck’s American Tragedy
Of Mice and Men (1937) by John Steinbeck
Critical Success
Based on his own experiences as a ranch-hand in California during the 1920s, Of Mice and Men achieved critical acclaim.
A Novel of Protest
To what extent is Of Mice and Men a novel of protest? The novel presents a scathing social and economic criticism of American society during the Great Depression.
- Exploitation of the Weak: The story highlights the exploitation of the weak by the strong, revealing a hierarchy even among the poor and disabled who find themselves marginalized and without a place in society.
- Critique of Capitalism: Steinbeck offers a powerful critique of capitalism, exposing how the Depression left many abandoned at the bottom of the social ladder, shattering the image of America as the land of opportunity.
- Treatment of the Mentally Disabled: The novel criticizes the way American society treats individuals with mental disabilities, as exemplified through Lennie’s character.
- Racism: Despite being set in California, often perceived as a land of freedom in contrast to the discriminatory South, the story reveals the persistence of racism and physical discrimination against Black people.
- Treatment of the Elderly: Steinbeck critiques the treatment of the elderly in American society, portraying them as useless and discarded. Candy embodies this phenomenon, facing the double handicap of age and physical limitations.
- Patriarchal Society: The novel criticizes the patriarchal nature of society, as evidenced by Curley’s wife’s lack of a name and identity. She belongs to her husband, her identity subsumed by his. Isolated and with no one to confide in, her attempt to connect with Lennie tragically leads to her death.
In essence, Of Mice and Men exposes the discrimination, poverty, and racism faced by those who deviate from traditional American values. All the characters represent”the other” highlighting the plight of the marginalized and giving them visibility within the narrative.
The American Dream
Despite their hardships, most characters in Of Mice and Men cling to dreams of a different life. Curley’s wife confesses her desire to be a movie star before her death, while Candy desperately embraces George’s vision of owning a small farm. These dreams, characterized by a yearning for untarnished happiness and the freedom to pursue their desires, embody the quintessential American Dream.
Deconstructing the Myth of the West
The cowboy, a classic icon of the West, traditionally represents positive attributes like loneliness, independence, loyalty, justice, and reserved violence. However, Of Mice and Men deconstructs this myth. While the characters are independent and free to move from one job to another, they are unable to achieve their dream of owning a ranch. Their lives are filled with emptiness, and ironically, some find solace in reading idealized cowboy stories that starkly contrast with their reality. The West is no longer the land of opportunities, and the cowboy myth is shattered. The absence of a genuine connection with nature and animals further emphasizes this disillusionment. The workers are dehumanized, portrayed as mere working animals.
Loneliness and Isolation
Loneliness, symbolized by the setting of Soledad (Spanish for solitude), is a pervasive theme. Most characters experience isolation due to their particular handicaps. George and Lennie’s bond stands out as an unusual exception, representing a genuine friendship in a world marked by individualism exacerbated by the Depression. Each character harbors dreams they know they will likely never achieve, further fueling their sense of loneliness.
Formal Devices
Structure and Style
The novel’s structure resembles a play, with three acts and six scenes. The circularity and continuity are evident in the setting: the story begins and ends at the pool, with the ranch occupying the middle sections. This circular structure is a common feature in plays.
Setting
The majority of the story unfolds on a ranch in California. Only the first and last sections deviate from this setting, taking place in a natural valley by the river. This reinforces the circular structure.
Time
The story transpires over three days, emphasizing the importance of living in the present without dwelling on the past or future. While the narrative focuses on the present, it incorporates a few flashbacks.
Language
The narrator employs standard English to describe the setting and nature. However, the most striking aspect of the language is the use of colloquial register and slang, reflecting the working class characters and adding realism to the dialogue. The oral dimension of the play is evident, with features like double negatives “Ain’t got no relatives nor nothin”) adding authenticity. The language occasionally turns poetic, particularly in its references to death and the tragic ending.
The Microcosmic Dimension
is emphasized. John Steinbeck takes the title of this novel from the poem “To a Mouse,” written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1785. There are no differences between mice and human beings. It emphasize that we are not that superior in comparison to animals (microcosmic dimension as a characteristic of modernism). You have to accept that you cannot control your future. No guarantee of success in the American West.
Animals: the animalistic nature of human beings, irrational part of human beings. We have different animals: Rabbits, puppy, cows, horses. mice. We are small, helpless like mice. Lennie is linked to them, lack of responsibility, irrational force, lack of control. Similar to Candy’s dog, they are killed because of compassion. It is the end of the dream.
Characters, in a way are not so different from animals. Lennie is always connected with animals and this interaction between Lennie and animals is innocent, obedient, but it emphasizes irrational forces. The idea that you cannot control Lennie, he is killed in order to avoid further suffering. It is like a bounded animal who cannot escape from death and it is a way of alleviating his suffering. This connection is also emphasized in the title.
Inevitable end? The alternative would be even worse. Even though they could have run, they couldn’t be in the run forever.