Background: Of Mice and Men

Who is the author?

John Steinbeck (1902-1968)

When was the book published?

1937

Describe the cover art.

Two men sitting on an orange/yellow grassy area looking into the distance with bushes and a backpack to the side of them

Where was John Steinbeck born and how does that relate to the novel?

Born in Salines, CA and that is where the novel takes place

Was “Of Mice and Men” turned into a play?

Yes, on broadway

What were 4 things that Steinbeck did during the creation of the novel?

Wrote to his friends each morning before writing

Values friendship in life and stories⭐️

Had great empathy for a common man

Said “Try to understand men. If you understand each other, you will be kind to each other.”

What was the original title?

“Something that Happened”

How did the title “Of Mice and Men” come to place?

Allusion to a poem by Robert Burns titled “To a Mouse”

Famous line is “the best-laid schemes of mice and men often go away.”

What is the genre of this novel?

Blend of novel and a play

What is the opening line?

“A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green.”