John Steinbeck's novella Of Mice and Men is set during the Great Depression and follows the friendship of George Milton and Lennie Small, two migrant ranch workers with dreams of owning their own land, as they navigate the hardships of work and life on a California ranch, encountering various challenges and individuals along the way. The book contains depictions of violence, racist language, and animal cruelty.

John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is widely praised for its vivid portrayal of friendship and the human condition during the Great Depression. The character development and emotional depth are lauded, though some critics find the plot predictable and the language dated. Its themes remain compelling and relevant, making it a powerful, if sometimes challenging, read.

A reader who would enjoy Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is likely interested in American Depression-era literature, exploring themes of friendship and dreams amidst adversity. Similar readers may also appreciate The Grapes of Wrath by Steinbeck or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. These novels delve into social issues and human struggles with a poignant narrative.

Melancholic / Emotional / Gritty / Dark / Bittersweet

- Of Mice and Men was originally conceived by John Steinbeck as a play-novel, allowing it to be both read and easily adapted for the stage in its structure and dialogue.
- The title Of Mice and Men is derived from a line in the poem "To a Mouse" by Robert Burns, which reflects the theme of disrupted plans and dreams.
- In addition to its widespread success as a novel, Of Mice and Men was adapted into a Broadway play shortly after its publication in 1937, further solidifying its cultural impact.

**GEORGE MILTON**  
George Milton is the clever, dynamic protagonist of the novella. He is a small but agile man who represents Depression-era farmhands searching for work. George is set apart by his friendship with Lennie Small, whom he looks after with familial devotion, despite occasionally feeling Lennie is a burden.

**LENNIE SMALL**  
Lennie Small is a large, physically intimidating migrant worker who is a static character. Despite his size, Lennie has intellectual disabilities, resulting in a childlike innocence. He shares a close friendship with George and dreams of raising animals on their future farm.

**SLIM**  
Slim is a tall, skilled skinner on the ranch respected by his peers as the "prince of the ranch." He confidently stands up to Curley and gains the men's respect. Slim is a friendly, trustworthy figure to whom George confides about his relationship with Lennie.

**CANDY**  
Candy is an older ranch handyman with an uncertain future due to his physical disability, having lost a hand. He finds hope in George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm and offers his savings to be part of it.

**CURLEY**  
Curley is the short, aggressive antagonist of the novella and the boss's son. Known for his inept management and confrontational nature, he mistreats the workers, boasts of his boxing prowess, and is suspicious of his wife's interactions with other men.

**CURLEY’S WIFE**  
Curley's wife is the only woman on the ranch, searching for attention and companionship due to her loneliness and unhappy marriage. Her unfulfilled dreams of becoming a movie star contribute to her dissatisfaction with life on the farm.

**CROOKS**  
Crooks is the only Black man on the ranch, living in isolation due to racial segregation. Although he outwardly insists on his solitude, Crooks craves company and briefly dreams of joining George and Lennie's farm.

**CARLSON**  
Carlson is a large, strong ranch hand known for his insensitivity. He owns a Luger and encourages the mercy killing of Candy's old dog. Carlson fails to understand the emotional struggles of others, as exhibited in the novella's closing scene.

**WHIT**  
Whit is a younger ranch hand whose body shows signs of hard labor. He admires Slim and views him as a leader. Whit represents youthful optimism, contrasted by the grim reality of the other laborers' unfulfilled dreams.

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