of+mice+and+men-social+context

=SOCIAL CONTEXT=

The novel highlights many of the prejudices during the 1930s
Racism: Crooks-lonely black man treated differently, inferior to white men · Sexism: Curley's wife in the novella, only woman present-murdered by Lennie · Prejudice towards those with disabilities: Lennie-slow mind development "[John Steinbeck]...treats these issues in purely human terms. He sees society's prejudices in terms of individual tragedies, and his characters attempt to escape from those prejudices." - James Topham --> [] · Despondent novella which presents the American Dream of many people throughout the 1930s, in contrast with that of reality, where the dream becomes unreachable, and they cannot achieve the dream. · George and Lennie's friendship stands out, beyond the pesemistic ending, as they do not reach their goal. However, even in a world of alienation and disconnectedness, people can live and love as George and Lennie have. · Characters reflect those during the 1930s, people with high hopes and dreams throughout the Great Depression, are crushed when they cannot achieve it.

Yosemite Sugar Pine Lumber Company workers lined up at the dining hall, Merced Falls, Merced County, California, 1930s.





In this ca. 1930s view in California's Central Valley, two labourers take a moment to pose for a photograph during the harvest season. (Courtesy of the Alvaredo Project)