- Question
What are the themes in Of Mice and Men?
John Steinbeck's timeless novel, Of Mice and Men, is a piece of literature that many teens encounter in high school. It explores the story of two migrant workers during the Great Depression. What are the central themes of the novel?
Of Mice and Men is about the American Dream
This position holds that the American Dream is a central theme of Of Mice and Men. It argues that the novel centres on the hope of lower-class field workers George and Lennie to own their own farm and be their own bosses — a dream the harsh world repeatedly puts out of reach.
Of Mice and Men is about friendship
George and Lennie are extremely loyal to each other. In addition, George, Lennie, and their fellow workers build a sense of comradery over the course of the book.
Of Mice and Men is about the loss of innocence
One of the protagonists of the story, Lennie, views the world in a childlike way, due to a mental disability. His inability to understand his strength often leads to him accidentally hurting others.
Of Mice and Men is about prejudice
George remarks that he used to play mean-spirited pranks on Lennie. Also, Crooks (an African-American man on the ranch with them) is often the target of racism and isolation.
Of Mice and Men is about death
This position holds that death is a central theme of Of Mice and Men. It argues that death and violence shadow the story from the start and touch every character — culminating in the killing of Curley's wife and, most wrenchingly, in Lennie's death at George's hands.