This novel by John Steinbeck focuses on the two main characters' friendship and struggles to find and keep a job in this economy. The novel recognizes the impossible "American Dream" that people are striving for. Every character in this book knows that times are hard and their dreams are far reached. At the end of the day, everyone knows that, based on their lives, their American Dream will never come true and it will remain what it is, a dream.
In the 1930s, there were several factors that influenced Steinbeck in writing "Of Mice and Men."
California was facing economic problems due to the Great Depression. Many different farmers wanted to find work areas throughout the huge country that they were in. Some problems in labor were the advances in farming technology. Machinery allowed five to seven men to operate at a time, which replaced what over 300 men could have done in one day. The Midwest was experiencing a drought, and people began to migrate from rural to urban areas. Labor Unions are peaking throughout the country gaining more membership each day.
Communism was becoming popular within America. Most agree with the concepts of communism supporting programs that aid workers with federal funding. These people also
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Friendship was a very important theme in of Mice and Men. Lennie is a naturally friendly person; George believes Lennie deserves a friend. They've both known each other for long time and have been through a lot of hardships together and separating from each other would be unlikely. Lennie is a mentally disabled farm worker that protects George. George is not mentally disabled but chooses to stick around with Lennie because he cares about him. George knows Lennie is different and people will judge him, but they both look out for each other. The population of America was homeless, jobless, and most of all they were losing