Of Mice and Men

John Ernst Steinbeck Biography

Born in Salinas, California, on

February 27
Parents encouraged his love of writing
Learned about ranch life as a teen
during summers
These experiences would help him
create rich characters and beautiful
descriptions of the land
Graduated from Salinas High School
in 1919
Attended Stanford University
His attendance was poor, and he only
took classes that interested him (for
example, writing, literature, and
marine biology)
 Biography, Continued
Left Stanford in 1925

Moved to New York City

His first novel, Cup of Gold, was published

in 1929

The
Pastures of Heaven and To a God
Unknown followed

Married his first wife, Carol Henning, in

1930

Lived in Pacific Grove (close to

Monterey).

Tortilla
Flat (1935) received the California
Commonwealth Club's Gold Medal for
best novel by a California author.
 Biography
The Grapes of Wrath (1939) won the Pulitzer
Prize.

War Correspondent during World War II

Some of his war articles were published in

Once There Was a War.

Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in

1962

A private person who did not seek publicity.

Died December 20, 1968, in New York City

Survived by his third wife, Elaine (Scott)

Steinbeck and one son, Thomas.

His ashes were placed in the Garden of

Memories Cemetery in Salinas.
SETTING

Of Mice and Men is set

on a Salinas Valley
ranch in California
during The Great
Depression of the
1930s.
 Many migrant workers from the
Midwest and South (notably, Arkansas,
Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas), migrated
to California in search of work.
Lennie -
Large and childlike character
Mentally challenged
Depends on his best friend, George
They share a dream of owning a ranch Nice and
loving
Does not know his own strength.

George -
Lennies traveling companion
Like a parent to Lennie
Talks about how much better his life would be
without needing to care for Lennie
Good hearted
Easily frustrated by Lennie
Curley -
boss's son
wears high-heeled boots to set him apart
former prizefighter
Physically, he is a small man
Full of bravado and implied threats
Candy -
old handyman (swamper)
lost his hand in an accident
has an old dog that is sick, who smells, and is
crippled
Curley's wife -
only female character
Steinbeck never gave her a name
recently married to Curley
flirtatious with other men.


Crooks -
The only African-
American on the
ranch
Gets his name
from his crooked
back
Lives in separate
quarters
Slim - He is more than competent at his job and is well
respected. The other characters often look to Slim for
advice. Everyone looks up to Slim, and his word is taken as
the final stance.

Carlson - He is a ranch-worker, and he complains

constantly about Candy's old, smelly dog. Hes a minor
character, but is significant in many ways.
Themes to Consider as
we Read:
Friendship

Loneliness

Mental Disability

Racism

Strong vs. Weak

Dreams vs. Reality