Migrant Workers as Outsiders in Of Mice and Men Essays

‘Of Mice and Men’ is a novel written by John Steinbeck. The novel is set in the 1930s, where the Great Depression years occurred and had a huge impact of many lives in California. California was struggling not only with the economic problems of the Great Depression but the severe labour strife too. ‘Of Mice and Men’ has an explicit context, because of the social and political events during the 1930s America. This also creates the climate of the novel. Hardship and homelessness ran through the country, creating many problems that ordinary people had to face. ‘Of Mice and Men’ also follows the careers of two men, George and Lennie, who dream of a better life on their own farm. Steinbeck wrote this novel because he had strong†¦show more content†¦An outsider is a person who does not fit in well with everyone else in a particular environment or society. The outsiders I have chosen are George, Lennie and Crooks, purely because they are the only characters who are different from the rest. George is an outsider because he is like a father-figure to Lennie. He always looks after him, and this is significant throughout the novel. As evident, George keeps looking out for Lennie to ensure everything is okay and there are no problems with him or anyone else. George knows Lennie is big and strong, and after the incident in Weed, he takes more care into ensuring Lennie is not having any difficulties settling in with the other people in the ranch. Steinbeck included George in the novel to show how people similar to George had to live every day of their lives knowing that it was going to be tough. George tries his best at protecting Lennie and so orders Lennie to be careful in what route he chooses, and then gets mad at Lennie when he disobeys. This creates a sense of rebellion between both him and Lennie, who yells at George for being too mean. For example, in chapter 1, George is seen talking to Lennie aggressively using foul language, â€Å"You crazy son-of-a-bitch. You keep me in hot water all of the time†. These conflicts relate to Steinbeck’s portrayal of life in this period of time. AShow MoreRelatedJohn Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men1275 Words   |  6 Pagesconnect to each other. The novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, is a story about Lennie and George, two migrant workers in the Salinas Valley, California. These friends stick together through the troubles of the Great Depression and survival in a world where differentiating qualities threaten these two workers’ hopes and dreams. There are three main deaths in this work, whether real or metaphorical, that are portrayed with primary themes. The novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, is about PonyboyRead MoreAnalysis Of John Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men 1476 Words   |  6 PagesCurley’s Wife Mice of Men Of Mice and Men is a novel set in the 1930’s based upon the hardship and rough times of the great depression. It was written by Nobel prize winning novelist John Steinbeck. Steinbeck’s life influenced his literature, as he was in identical situations as the character he describes in his novel. Steinbeck was a migrant worker who also conveniently grew up on a ranch. He also wrote another book called ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ during this time period. We can imagine that his ownRead MoreJohn Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men1312 Words   |  6 Pagesof its uselessness. In S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, there are three major deaths occurring in the novel: Bob, Johnny, and Dally. Similarly, in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, there are also three major deaths of Candy’s dog, Curley’s wife, and Lennie. The Outsiders is a story depicting the life of Ponyboy Curtis, who is struggling to find his place in the world while battling the rival gang, t he Socs. Of Mice and Men is a story of two migrant workers, George and Lennie, who are bound togetherRead MoreThe Theme Of Loneliness In Of Mice And Men By Stienbeck1596 Words   |  7 Pages In the book Of Mice and Men the author Stienbeck captures life,segregation,friendships and rivalries all wrapped in one. For instance when Curley’s wife says â€Å"Listen nigger† she said â€Å"you know what I can do if you open your trap?† (80). That portion of the scene reveals just a slight representation of what life as a black man in the 1930’s was like on the farm. Candy, Curley’s wife and Crooks are three very different people who live on a farm with other workers and acquaintances, yet somehow experienceRead MoreEssay on Analysis of John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men2005 Words   |  9 PagesAnalysis of John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men    Steinbecks ‘Of Mice and Men’ is a novel about people, their dreams, relationships and disappointments.   The characters are diverse and represent a cross section of society during the American Depression of the 1930s.   The novel is set in Steinbecks birthplace of Salinas Valley, California, and it is at the ranch where he grew up that we meet the majority of characters.   There are three specific locations in the novel where most of theRead MoreJohn Steinbeck s Of Mice And Men1485 Words   |  6 Pagesdeaths occurring in them. In S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, there are three major deaths occurring in the novel: Bob, Johnny, and Dally. Similarly, in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, there are also three major deaths: Candy’s dog, Curley’s wife, and Lennie. The Outsiders is a story depicting the life of Ponyboy Curtis, who is struggling to find his place in the world while battling the rival group, the Socs. Of Mice and Men is a story of two migrant workers, George and Lennie, who are bound togetherRead MoreJohn Steinbeck: Experiencing the Dust Bowl Essay1364 Words   |  6 Pageswhat he experienced through his travels with the migrant workers. His method was not to present himself notebook in hand and interview people. Instead he worked and traveled with the migrants as one of them, living as they did and arousing no suspicion from employers militantly alert against agitators of any kind. (Lisca 14) John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath was derived from his personal experiences and his journeys with the migrant workers. John Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902 inRead More John Steinbeck: Experiencing the Dust Bowl Essay1346 Words   |  6 Pageswhat he experienced through his travels with the migrant workers. â€Å"His method was not to present himself notebook in hand and interview people. Instead he worked and traveled with the migrants as one of them, living as they did and arousing no suspicion from employers militantly alert against â€Å"agitators† of any kind.† (Lisca 14) John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath was derived from his personal experiences and his journeys with the migrant workers. John Steinbeck was born on February 27, 1902 inRead More The title of the novel Of Mice And Men refers to how dreams often go1884 Words   |  8 PagesThe title of the novel Of Mice And Men refers to how dreams often go wrong. Discuss how John Steinbeck achieves this. Question 3-The title of the novel Of Mice And Men refers to how dreams often go wrong. Discuss how John Steinbeck achieves this. One of the main themes that runs through Of Mice And Men is of dreams and how they go wrong. The title of the book is very appropriate to this theme as it comes from a poem by Robert Burns called To A Mouse, On Turning Up Her Nest With TheRead MoreThe Crucible and the Mice of Men Essay2059 Words   |  9 PagesThe Crucible and Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men, and Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, both have similarities and differences that appear through the history of the United States, prejudice, and also through the themes. Of Mice and Men and The Crucible, share the similarity of teaching the history of the United States throughout the pieces. In the novel, Of Mice and Men, the reader will be able to learn the history of the United States through the writing style of