The setting of “Of Mice and Men” in the Salinas Valley, where Steinbeck grew up, is a testament to his intimate knowledge of the region. The characters, George and Lennie, are based on the types of individuals Steinbeck encountered during his work on farms, capturing their aspirations and the socio-economic challenges they faced.

Lennie Small - A large man with the mind of a child, possessing tremendous physical strength but little understanding of his own power. He loves petting soft things but often accidentally kills them. Lennie's intellectual disability makes him dependent on George.

Curley - The antagonist, the son of the ranch owner. A confrontational and aggressive young man with a Napoleon complex, he wears high-heeled boots and picks fights with larger men like Lennie to prove his masculinity. He is extremely possessive and jealous of his flirtatious wife.

Curley's Wife - The only female character, she remains nameless throughout the novella, reflecting how she is viewed as Curley's possession. Dissatisfied with her life, she flirts with the ranch hands, leading to tragic consequences.

Candy - An elderly ranch handyman, he lost his hand in a machine accident and worries about being fired due to his disability. He offers to contribute his life's savings to George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm.

Crooks - The lonely, disabled black stable buck who faces discrimination and has insight into the futility of George and Lennie's dream of a farm.

Slim - A skilled ranch hand who is respected by the others. He represents an unbiased perspective and serves as a truth-teller in the story.

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Broken Dreams and Harsh Reality
George and Lennie's dream of owning a small farm represents the pursuit of independence and a better life, echoing the American Dream. However, the harsh economic realities of the Depression era make this dream unattainable, underscoring the gap between idealism and the brutal challenges of survival.

Discrimination and Social Injustice
The novella shines a light on the discrimination faced by characters like Crooks due to his race, Lennie due to his mental disability, and Curley's wife due to her gender. It exposes the injustices and lack of dignity afforded to such marginalized groups in that society.

Powerlessness and Mercy Killing
Lennie's mental disability renders him powerless, unable to control his own strength or comprehend the consequences of his actions. This leads to his accidental killing of Curley's wife and George's mercy killing of Lennie to save him from an agonizing death at the hands of a lynch mob - a disturbing yet pragmatic choice in those brutal times.

Through its simple yet profound narrative, "Of Mice and Men" poignantly captures the struggles, injustices, and fragile dreams of America's most vulnerable during the Great Depression.

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Many critics praised the novella for its powerful portrayal of the struggles faced by itinerant workers during the Great Depression.

Despite its popularity, the book also faced criticism and controversy. Some readers and critics took issue with its portrayal of violence and the use of profanity. The bleak and tragic ending also elicited strong reactions.

The book was seen as a major work that contributed to the American literary canon and was often discussed in the context of its social and political commentary.

Overall, while Of Mice and Men garnered widespread acclaim and achieved commercial success, it also sparked debate and faced challenges due to its candid portrayal of difficult subjects. This duality contributed to its enduring significance and impact on American literature.

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