Part 1 of Book Analysis: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
The Power of a Banned Book
Few books have ignited as much controversy as Of Mice and Men. It has faced repeated bans and challenges due to its language and themes, yet it remains a cornerstone of literature curriculums worldwide. Why has this novel been censored so frequently? Because it delves into the very essence of human existence—our dreams, our struggles, and our profound need for companionship- and makes people uncomfortable. John Steinbeck’s novella, published in 1937, may be brief, but its impact is anything but small. It delivers a deep emotional weight that lingers long after you finish reading.
John Steinbeck, the man behind the novel, was no stranger to hardship. Born in Salinas, California, he grew up in a modest working-class family. His mother, a teacher, instilled in him a deep love for literature, while his father’s fluctuating fortunes exposed him to the realities of economic instability. His paternal grandfather, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1858 from Palestine, changed the family surname to Stenbeck upon arrival, marking the beginning of a new yet challenging life in America.[1] As a young man, Steinbeck worked on ranches, laboring side by side with migrant workers. [2]He witnessed their daily struggles—their exhaustion, their quiet hopes, and their relentless fight for dignity in a world that often ignored them. These experiences profoundly shaped his writing, lending his work an authenticity that few authors could replicate.
Steinbeck’s genius lies in his ability to blend keen social perception with storytelling that is both unflinching and deeply empathetic. His signature style—a combination of realism, dry humor, and poignant humanity—brings to life characters who feel startlingly real. He does not romanticize the world; instead, he holds up a mirror, reflecting life’s injustices, fleeting joys, and inevitable tragedies. It is no wonder that Of Mice and Men drew from his firsthand experiences, nor is it surprising that this authenticity made the novel a frequent target for censorship. The book’s use of racial slurs, depictions of violence, and portrayal of marginalized characters have led many to label it as offensive or even anti-American.
Yet, despite the controversies, the novel remains a powerful critique of the discrimination faced by individuals based on ability, age, and gender. Steinbeck masterfully exposes the mistreatment of these marginalized groups, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths. A book that continues to provoke discussion nearly a century after its publication must possess a rare and enduring significance.
A Brief Glimpse into the Story
Set against the unforgiving backdrop of the Great Depression, Of Mice and Men chronicles the journey of two unlikely companions: George Milton and Lennie Small. George, small in stature but sharp in mind, acts as both protector and guide to Lennie, a man of enormous strength but limited intellect. Together, they traverse California’s dusty landscapes, eking out a living as itinerant laborers while clutching onto a singular, fragile dream—one where they own a modest plot of land and live off “the fat of the land.” For them, this dream is more than just wishful thinking; it is their beacon of hope in a world that offers them little kindness.
Their latest job at a ranch in California seems promising, a rare glimmer of stability in their otherwise tumultuous existence. But Steinbeck, ever the realist, does not deal in comforting illusions. As the story unfolds, external forces and internal conflicts begin to close in, threatening to shatter their aspirations. The novel builds with an undercurrent of tension as the reader senses that fate may have other plans for George and Lennie—plans that neither wit nor brute strength can fully escape.
Steinbeck’s inspiration for Of Mice and Men can be traced to Robert Burns’ poignant poem To a Mouse, which laments the unpredictability of fate and the world’s indifference to the vulnerable. Like Burns’ trembling mouse, George and Lennie find themselves at the mercy of forces far beyond their control. The novel, in turn, masterfully interweaves themes of friendship, isolation, and destiny, crafting a narrative that is both deeply affecting and achingly inevitable. Without giving too much away, let’s just say that dreams often flicker like candle flames in the wind in Steinbeck’s world—beautiful, hopeful, but precariously fragile.
A Novel Rooted in Reality
To fully grasp the depth of Of Mice and Men, one must understand the historical landscape that shaped it. The Great Depression (1929–1939) brought economic ruin to millions, leaving many Americans jobless and homeless. But compounding this financial despair was an environmental catastrophe—the Dust Bowl. A decade-long drought turned the Great Plains into a barren wasteland, forcing thousands of families to abandon their farms in search of work elsewhere. The exact number of these desperate migrants remains unknown, but about 400,000 of them set their sights on California, lured by the promise of opportunity.[3]
However, reality proved far harsher than the dream. The influx of job seekers was so overwhelming that California law enforcement attempted to block entry at the state border, fearing an unsustainable strain on resources. Even those who managed to cross into the so-called “land of opportunity” found themselves wandering from farm to farm, vying for work in an oversaturated labor market. They endured backbreaking toil for meager wages, living in squalid conditions with little hope of stability.
Steinbeck didn’t merely observe these hardships from a distance—he immersed himself in them. Born and raised in California, he worked alongside migrant laborers, listened to their stories, and witnessed firsthand the relentless grind of their existence. His deep empathy for the working class is evident on every page of Of Mice and Men, where he crafts an unflinching yet profoundly compassionate portrait of survival in an unforgiving world. This novel is more than fiction—it is a stark reflection of a painful reality that countless Americans knew all too well.
Why This Novel Still Matters
Why revisit Of Mice and Men today? Examining banned books offers valuable insight into how literature challenges societal norms and often provokes controversy. With his keen eye for human suffering, Steinbeck captured the plight of roaming migrant workers—men like George and Lennie—who struggled against an indifferent world. Their fate was not unique then, nor is it now.
The novel’s exploration of marginalization—whether due to disability, race, or poverty—remains strikingly relevant. Themes of loneliness, companionship, and the fragile nature of the American Dream continue to resonate across generations. Economic collapse, environmental disaster, and social stratification tend to punish the most vulnerable, a truth that has not changed since the Dust Bowl era.
Robert Burns’ To a Mouse expresses sympathy for a creature caught in the merciless grip of fate. Steinbeck echoes this sentiment, reminding us of the importance of empathy—not just for fictional characters, but for the real people who suffer in silence. And beyond its social critique, Of Mice and Men is simply a beautifully crafted work, rich with symbolism and layered meaning.
Steinbeck does not offer easy solutions. Instead, he holds up a mirror to life’s injustices—unfair, unpredictable, and, at times, breathtakingly cruel. Through George and Lennie’s bond, we witness both the power and fragility of human connection. Through the ranch hands, we see the crushing isolation of those without it. And through the novel’s devastating conclusion, we are forced to confront life’s harshest realities.
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning of our deep dive into Of Mice and Men. In the next post, we’ll explore the novel’s major themes—what it says about dreams, power, and human nature. In the meantime, what are your first impressions of the book? Have you read it before, or is this your first time encountering George and Lennie’s story? Let’s start the conversation!
[1] Yaron Perry, “John Steinbeck’s Roots in Nineteenth-Century Palestine,” Steinbeck Studies 15, no. 1 (September 2, 2004): 46–72.
[2] “John Steinbeck | Biography, Books, Novels, Movies, & Facts | Britannica,” John Steinbeck, Britannica, December 24, 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Steinbeck.
[3] Patrick J. Kiger, “How the Dust Bowl Made Americans Refugees in Their Own Country,” HISTORY, August 11, 2023, https://www.history.com/news/dust-bowl-migrants-california.