In the first chapter of John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," we are introduced to two main characters, George Milton and Lennie Small, who are traveling together in California during the Great Depression, around the late 1930s. They have just arrived at a ranch near Soledad, where they hope to find work.
The chapter opens by describing the natural landscape near the Salinas River, emphasizing its beauty and tranquility. George is small, wiry, and intelligent, while Lennie is large and strong but has a mental disability that causes him to act childlike and impulsively. Their relationship is central to the story, with George often taking on a protective role for Lennie.
As they settle down by the river to rest, George speaks to Lennie about their dreams of owning their own piece of land and living independently. He instructs Lennie on how to behave at the ranch and reminds him to stay out of trouble. The chapter sets the stage for their aspirations and the challenges they will face, highlighting themes of friendship, dreams, and the struggles of itinerant workers during this era.
Overall, the passage serves to establish the characters, their relationship, and the context of their journey as they seek a better life amidst the hardships of the time.