Of Mice and Men

By luigi_pagano

Tue, 08 Sep 2015
  • 1563 reads
4 comments
 

I have just read John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”,
a powerful novella that made on me a big impression.
It tells the story of two displaced migrant workers
in search of job opportunities in the Great Depression.

Salient through the book is the theme of friendship.
Lennie Small is man of large stature and great strength
but also of simple mind who loves to touch soft things.
George Milton to protect him will go to any length.

They are working in the city of Weed in California when
Lennie’s quirk leads to an accusation of attempted rape.
He touches a young woman’s dress and doesn’t let go.
The unfortunate pair are hounded and have to escape.

 They move and find new work in a ranch in Soledad
where a woman, Curley’s wife, can only mean trouble.
She allows Lennie to stroke her soft hair, an offer
that delights him and one that he accepts at the double.

What happens next is a tragic unexpected accident:
he is rough with his touch; she panics and screams.
He tries to stop her yelling and recklessly kills her.
For the hapless friends it’s the end of their dreams.

George Milton does what a loyal comrade would do
to save his pal from a terrible death by a lynch mob.
He sits with Lennie and talks of their future together
then mercifully shoots him, trying to stifle a sob.

© Luigi Pagano 2015

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Reviews
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

You've managed to precis the story very well. I haven't read it, though read of it.

Despite understanding his motives, I can't be comfortable with his decision at the end of taking the law into his own hands and presuming that not to do so would be bound to be a horrific (I presume he reckoned long drawn out) death. It is still taking on that role of executioner, and presuming there will be no way out come otherwise, or Lenny be helped through that horror.
Anyway, it does raise so clearly the issues of lynching, and making wrong judgements, and taunting, which I presume was the author's main intention.
Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

The plot is quite involved, Rhiannon, and to understand the behaviour and motivation of the characters one has to read the novel in its entirety. A precis like this can only give a flavour of the story and cannot do justice to it. The premise is the bond of friendship, almost brotherly love, between two displaced itinerants diametrically opposed. Lennie is a physically powerful man, of slow wit, who doesn't realise his own strength and whilst he likes the feel of soft animals and things, he is very rough in his handling (he even manages to kill, accidentally, his pet rabbit). George has appointed himself his guardian  and tries to protect him from harm. When the tragedy occurs he decides that a mercy killing is kinder and will spare his friend a long and torturous death.
Grateful as ever for your feedback.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by lisa h on

One of my favourite books, Luigi, and you've done it justice in your review. The ending is very powerful, and it is one of caring - a mercy killing if you will - that leads George to taking Lennie's life.

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

You are absolutely right, Lisa. The powerful ending shows the caring nature of George who, rather than allowing the lynch mob to administer its barbarous 'justice' with a long and painful hanging, prefers to humanely shoot Lennie after comforting him with tales of a now unrealisable dream.
The Inspiration Point brought instantly to mind the tragic story of those two displaced itinerant characters created by Steinbeck who happens to be one of my favourite authors..
It was interesting to hear your opinion.

Best, Luigi.