Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

In the novel "Of Mice and Men" loneliness is an important theme. The

author John Steinbeck effectively conveys the theme of loneliness

through setting and characters.

The plot is based around the two main characters, George Milton and

Lennie Small who one day look forward to owning their own ranch. The

novel begins when George and Lennie are chased out of Weed because

Lennie had felt a girl's dress. Lennie chooses to do this because he

likes to stroke soft items. The two decide to work on a ranch in

Soledad and begin the journey. On the journey the reader finds out

that Lennie is a big strong individual who is not the smartest of

folks. While George is small and intelligent with strong features.

When arriving at the ranch they are introduced to the other ranch

hands Slim, Candy, Carlson and Curly. George and Lennie respect Slim

and communicate well with him which results Slim giving one of his

pups to Lennie. When Lennie and George talk about their dream Curly

enters and sees Lennie smiling. Letting his aggression to get to him

Curly begins to fight Lennie. The outcome results a broken neck for

Curly and a look of hell on Lennie's face. When George and the other

ranch hands go to play horse shoes Lennie goes to the barn to find his

pup dead. While stroking the dead pup, Curly's wife enters and the two

talk of the past. She lets Lennie feel her hair and when he doesn't

stop she begins to scream. Lennie realises he will get into trouble he

breaks her neck and disappears. When the ranch hands return Candy and

George discover Curly's wife's body and tell the others. While the

ranch hands attempt to find Lennie. George finds Lennie hiding in a

bush. He calms him down and while Lennie is looking in the opposite

side George shoots him in the back of the head. St the end of the

novel the character Slim replies "Now what the hell ya suppose is