Of Mice And Men :: essays research papers

"The shell laid schemes omice and menOften go awryAnd leave us nought but grief and painFor promised joy"-Robert BurnsWriters passim history have often written about the plight in which the American people have had to endure. seat Steinbeck, an influential author during the 1940s and 1930s, centre primarily on the recognises and problems of migrant workers. His freshs hit close to home, non barely for himself, but for thousands across the nation. Steinbeck received inspiration, as well as the title, for his novel Of Mice and Men from a Robert Burns poem. This poem is the underlying frame of his loudness. In his novel, Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck champions the underdog who, though denied access to the American dream, develops his own coping mechanisms for survival.Of Mice and Men centers round the nomadic lifestyle of two Californian migrant workers Lennie, who is mentally retarded, and George, who serves as Lennies protector and provider. Lennies condition seem s to be a constant threat to the pairs jobs. The book opens with George and Lennie walking to a new bed cover. The reader finds out later that Lennies slam to touch soft things lost them their last jobs. They finally arrive to the ranch to find friendly, and then not-so-friendly faces. One of Steinbecks purposes for writing Of Mice and Men is to illustrate the trials and tribulations authorized individuals must overcome. For Crooks, the African-American stable buck, it is the oppression he faces because of the color of his skin. Steinbeck quite an frequently states the harsh conditions under which Crooks must live. "Little skinner severalize of Smitty took after the ni**er. Done pretty good, too. The guys wouldnt let him use his feet....If he could used his feet, Smitty says he woulda killed the ni**er." (20) This quote is a prime character of how African-Americans were viewed. However, Crooks holds to some dignity. "I aint sure I want you in here no more. A colore d man got to have some rights blush if he dont like em." (82)Lennie, a important focus of the novel, is a main character for a reason. Steinbeck uses Lennies character in order to show how American society attempted to ignore mental retardation and continued to live in ignorance about the disability. Steinbeck portrays Lennie as a constant burden on George. He is the cause of their having to switch jobs. George feels he must speak to bosses for Lennie, because Lennie is not able to speak intelligently for himself.