Main Ideas

Importance of Setting in "Of Mice and Men"

• Setting plays a crucial role in revealing character traits and themes.

  • Example: Mentioning the harness room in relation to Crooks.

• The Salinas River setting symbolizes loneliness, warmth, and lusciousness.

• The setting at Salinas River contrasts with the bleak bunkhouse, highlighting flaws of humankind.

• The violent imagery in the setting reflects the destructive nature of man and the ultimate price they pay.

• The cyclical structure of the novella symbolizes the inescapable flaws of humankind and potentially reflects international events like the rise of Nazi Germany.

Symbolism and Themes in the Setting

• The Salinas River setting accentuates the flaws of humankind.

• The fragility of life is depicted through natural elements like the heron and water snake.

• The cyclical structure symbolizes the inescapable flaws of humankind and questions the concept of the American Dream.

• The straight path followed by Lennie and George symbolizes the predetermined nature of life.

Context and Authenticity

• Setting the novella in a real place like the Salinas River adds authenticity.

• The contrast between the idyllic setting and the destructive nature of humankind reflects the reality of the 1930s.

• Steinbeck's portrayal of deeply entrenched flaws of humankind is influenced by the events of the 1930s, such as the Great Depression.

By understanding the significance of the setting in "Of Mice and Men," readers can delve deeper into the characters, themes, and social commentary presented by Steinbeck.

Main Ideas

Bunkhouse Setting

• Description: Basic, no decor, reflects boss's disregard for workers

  • Eight bunks, burlap quilt, unpainted

• Use of Light: Symbolizes hopelessness of workers' situations

  • Darkness creates dreary atmosphere

• Context: Great Depression and Dust Bowl

  • Limited employment opportunities, vulnerability of workers

Harness Room (Crooks's Bedroom)

• Significance: Shed attached to stable, highlights ostracization of Crooks

  • Sleeps closer to horses, symbolizes inhumane treatment due to skin color

• Symbolism: Harness represents social constraints on Crooks

  • Broken harnesses symbolize desire to break constraints

• Context: Racism in 1930s America

  • African Americans treated as second-class citizens

Barn Setting

• Description: Calm atmosphere at first, contrasts with outside noise

  • Lennie seeks shelter in barn, more comfortable with animals

• Symbolism: Presence of flies, darkness, and pigeon

  • Represents man's innate violence, freedom through death

• Themes: Ostracization of Lennie, patriarchal society

Overall Message

• Interpretation: Steinbeck accentuates cruelty of humankind through settings

  • Highlights hardship, suffering, and potential breeding of cruelty

• American Dream: Futility and cyclical structure

  • Sense of hopelessness and inability to escape cruel world

Interpretation and Analysis

• Literature Interpretation: Open to various readings and interpretations

• Questioning Steinbeck's Message: Does Steinbeck try to highlight or accentuate the cruelty of humankind through the use of setting? Is he trying to argue actually that this hardship and suffering breeds cruelty? Do the settings all represent or are served to accentuate a cruel world that's created by mankind?