“Of Mice and Men focuses on the friendship between two outcasts who are caught up in circumstances beyond their control. Despite George's unwavering efforts to keep Lennie safe in a predatory world, their relationship ends in tragedy. Think about how the story's historical and cultural context impacts the author's choices of character, setting, structure, point of view, and themes. What do you think the author is trying to say about how society treats its most vulnerable people and animals? How do you, as a modern reader, respond to the relationship between the novel's main characters?” write your answer in 3 sentences.

Answer 1

The historical and cultural context of the Great Depression in the 1930s influences Steinbeck's portrayal of the struggles faced by marginalized individuals like George and Lennie. The novel sheds light on the harsh realities of society's treatment of the most vulnerable, highlighting themes of loneliness, isolation, and the American Dream. As a modern reader, I am deeply moved by George and Lennie's bond, and saddened by the tragic end to their friendship due to societal injustices.