The novel, Of Mice and Men, published by John Steinbeck, depicts two migrant farm workers, traveling throughout the country during the Great Depression. The main characters in the book, Lennie and George, form a friendship struggling to reach their goal of owning a plot of land. However, this bond soon leads to a devastating catastrophe. Steinback places many disguised themes in his writing. This novel clearly illustrates the themes of friendship, longing for a dream, and poverty.
Consequently, the tight bond shared between George and Lennie created hope for one another. Steinbeck stressed that ranchers were lonely riders, however, George and Lennie traveled in pairs. Despite George's annoyance with Lennie and how trouble-free life without him by his side, George boldly exclaims, "An' why? Because because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why."" (Chapter 1, page 14) Steinbeck describes another relationship of friendship. After the death of Old Candy, Candy urges for the companionship with Lennie and George, and attaches himself to the dream of one day owning a plot of land.
In addition, Steinbeck emphasized the isolation of the characters, who had taken comfort from an unattainable dream. Of course, this essential dream of George and Lennie's was to buy a farmland. This vision of a more prosperious life occurs throughout the entire novel. George later explains to Lennie the details of their farmland,.
" we'll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. And whn it rains in the winter we'll just say the hell with goin' to work, and we'll build up a fire in the stove and set around it an' listen to the rain comin' down on the roof - (Chapter 1, Page 14-15).
George also dreams of a better place for Lennie, who has the brain capacity of about a 7 year old, George had taken upon himself the responsibility to look after Lennie, and be there in his need.
