George And Lennie's Friendship In Of Mice And Men By John Steinbeck

The 1930s caused America’s economy to plummet even faster than it had risen in the 1920s. Migrant farmers who traveled in search of work, no matter how menial, were characteristic of this era. These men were often alone in their searches, emphasizing the uniqueness of George and Lennie’s friendship in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. George and Lennie, two friends with opposing physical features and personalities, arrive as migrant farmers to yet another job where they meet a host of interesting people, all while aiming for their dream to maintain a farm of their own. Using symbolism, dialogue, and plot arrangement, Steinbeck demonstrates that humans are often falsely hopeful, deluding themselves into believing they will eventually fulfill their desires. Steinbeck employs symbolism to show that humans are unrealistic with their dreams. Lennie has an obsession with petting small, furry animals, and when George notices this abnormality, Lennie defends himself, saying, “Uh-uh. Jus’ a dead mouse, George. I didn’t kill it. Honest! I found it. I found it dead… Aw, leave me have it, George” (Steinbeck 7). The lack of concern or seriousness with which Lennie says the mouse is dead indicates he does not understand the severity of death. George is aware that Lennie killed the mouse by crushing it with his large hands, but Lennie himself is not, exemplifying Lennie’s innocence. Lennie trusts George to condone his behavior, and let him cling onto the mouse even though it is dead, just as people held onto improbable expectations during the Great

His allegory compares to the nature of men during the Great Depression who held high ambitions in the face of their grueling reality. These hopes helped men get through the difficult 1930s, but most were stuck in their menial jobs, showing how unrealistic their dreams were for the harsh