Friendship and loneliness in John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men

Todays guest review is kindly provided by Rebecca Yee

I've been going through a phase of catching up on iconic literature recently. I'm finally understanding references that I fake laughed at years ago. After trudging through the prose of Dickens, Of Mice and Men is a refreshingly brief but meaningful classic.

Set in the 1920s and based on Steinbeck's own experiences as a farmhand, the simple narrative captures the landscape and social attitudes of the time. Set during the Great Depression, the tale follows two ranchers traveling together from farm to farm. Lennie Small is clearly a sweet, simple soul, and his confused attempts at behaving evoke all sympathies. Portrayed as a large man with impressive physical abilities, he is often bewildered and relies with child-like faith in his companion, George Milton. George's constant gripes at Lennie's naivite are fettered by his clear love and care for the gentle giant .

The story follows the two as they apply for work at a new farm. Their familiarity clearly shows they have been together for a long time, with references to past events where George has had to get Lennie out of simple-minded trouble. George's obvious frustrations are tempered by his love for his friend, and Lennie's trusting nature is hard for him to abandon, despite his constant threats.

There is hope for the two: they meet another farmhand who has the savings to contribute to their long standing dream of owning land and having their own farm. With their dream actually appearing tangible, George leaves Lennie on his own, where he accidentally kills one of his beloved puppies while stroking it. His distress is increased when confronted by the wife of the boss' son, and his great strength and confusion cause tragedy.

The ending itself is bittersweet, culminating in a 'what must be done' scenario. It is told in agonising simplicity, where the beautiful dream of their bright future is retold while George does the necessary unthinkable.

Ideas of friendship and loneliness are ripe through this tale. It is this concept perhaps that has drawn this book so sharply. In a time where we are so disconnected and when our social networks expand the globe, the solitude of many of the characters is hugely relatable. Though economic times are much different, the dream of one day settling down and finding your own place in the world to call your own, it is a fantasy that haunts many of us still. The racism that the stable boy, Crook, faces is reflected every day living as a Western expatriate in a developing nation. Even the spiteful wife evokes some sympathies as an original desperate housewife just seeking attention where she can.

Steinbeck casts a note of the inevitable in this classic. The characters are often powerless in the eye of fate, despite their best intentions. Yet there is still a sense of hope throughout. The idea that dreams may be shattered, but we will keep dreaming for the sake of it. As long as there is someone there to look out for us, it will all be okay.

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