Of Mice and Men is about two displaced ranch workers, George and his friend Lennie, who travel together in search of new job opportunities during the Great Depression. Their dream is to own a piece of land where they can live in peace and freedom. The novella explores themes of friendship, loneliness, and the inability to escape one's circumstances.
Table of Content
Of Mice And Men Book Summary
George and Lennie are on the run, having been chased out of their previous town due to an incident involving Lennie's uncontrollable strength. They arrive at a ranch in California to work as laborers.
Their dream is to own a small piece of land where they can grow crops and raise animals. George often tells Lennie about this dream to give them hope and something to look forward to.
They meet Candy, an aging ranch worker with a missing hand, who is interested in their plan and offers to contribute his life savings to make it a reality.
The men’s aspirations are shattered when Curley, the boss's son, starts a fight with Lennie. In a panic, Lennie crushes Curley's hand. The tension at the ranch increases.
Curley's wife, who is lonely and yearning for companionship, speaks with Lennie in the barn. When her attempt to have a conversation takes a tragic turn, Lennie accidentally kills her, fearing she'll tell on him.
Distraught, Lennie flees to the spot George had designated for them to meet if anything went wrong. George finds him there. Realizing that they can't escape the consequences of Lennie's actions, George makes a difficult decision.
As they talk, George reflects on their friendship and the dreams they shared. He then mercifully shoots Lennie, ending his suffering and saving him from a violent fate at the hands of the others at the ranch.
When the other men discover what has happened, they assume Lennie had the gun and George took it from him, ending Lennie's life in an act of mercy. The story ends with George, alone and devastated, realizing the impossibility of the dream they once held.
Of Mice And Men Quotes
- The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley.
- Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world.
- I seen hunderds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an' that same damn thing in their heads. They come, an' they quit an' go on; an' every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it. Just like heaven. Everybody wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.
Of Mice And Men Ending Explained
At the end of Of Mice and Men, George is left in a world of isolation and regret.
He has been forced to make the ultimate sacrifice for Lennie, ending his friend's life quickly and painlessly to protect him from a mob's vengeance.
The book concludes with the haunting image of George, who has lost his constant companion and the dream they both held, now feeling the full weight of his own loneliness and the harshness of the world they live in.
Characters in book Of Mice And Men
- George Milton: A small, wiry, quick-witted man who travels with and takes care of Lennie. He dreams of one day owning his own land.
- Lennie Small: A large, strong, mentally disabled man with a child's mind. He depends on George for guidance and protection.
- Candy: An aging ranch handyman missing a hand. He offers to pitch in with George and Lennie to buy a piece of land.
- Crooks: The black stable-hand who faces racial discrimination. He is isolated from the other workers due to his race.
- Curley: The boss's son, he is a pugnacious man who is small in stature and has a volatile temper.
- Curley's Wife: A young, pretty woman who is lonely and often misunderstood. She is not given a name in the novella.
- Slim: A highly skilled mule driver and the acknowledged ‘prince’ of the ranch. He is kind, intelligent, and the only character who seems to understand George and Lennie's bond.
- Carlson: A ranch hand who complains about Candy's old, smelly dog and eventually offers to shoot it.
Key Lessons
- Power of Friendship: True friendship involves looking out for one another, even if it means making difficult decisions.
- Futility of Dreams: Dreams are important for hope and motivation, but they can also be cruel illusions that lead to disappointment and despair.
- Impact of Loneliness: Loneliness can drive people to seek companionship in unhealthy or risky ways, and it can have a profound effect on mental well-being.
- Struggles with Discrimination: Discrimination based on race, gender, or disability can lead to deep-seated feelings of isolation and resentment.
My Personal Opinion
Is Of Mice and Men worth reading? Totally, I loved the poignant story it tells and the themes it explores.
I was struck by the depth of the characters and the emotional impact of the narrative. Although it's a short book, it packs a powerful punch. The depiction of the Great Depression and its effect on the human spirit is both moving and thought-provoking. On the downside, the pervasive sense of hopelessness can be overwhelming. The story's brevity also left me yearning for more details at times.
I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate profound examinations of the human condition. It's particularly suited for high school students and those who are interested in classic literature. The themes are heavy, so it is best approached with a reflective mindset and a willingness to engage with the darker aspects of life.