Of Mice and Men Pre-Research
By Hunter Berryman
Setting
Where: This was based in California during the Great Depression.
What: Of Mice and Men was written by John Steinbeck. This book is about the adventures of two men, George Milton and Lennie Small. They were migrant workers who had to search for work during the Great Depression. It talks of the friendship between the two men. In the end, George had to protect Lennie from the mob who were looking for Lennie intending to kill him. To spare Lennie from a painful death from the angry mob, George shot him.
Migrant Workers
Relevant Dates: 1929 Wall street Crash
1902: Steinbeck, the author of the book was born
1937: Of Mice and Men was published
Example of Type of Work: worked in the fields
Daily Wage: $2.50
What DId farm agencies do?: They conserve farms and regulate the laws around the country
The American Dream
They wanted a better life, mainly to get out of persecution or poverty
Why did the American Dream of wealth and prosperity fade for some?
Because horrors of slavery, loss of jobs, led to loss of hope in many Americans and shattered many more dreams.
The Great Depression
Effects: Closed businesses, poverty, loss of hope, shattered dreams, mass migration, organized crime rate increase
Ended: 1939
Unemployment rate: 24% in 1933
More Research
Idioms in Of Mice and Men: Full of idioms, which is language that means something other than what is actually said
Banned Book: Controversy over banning this book has been going on for around 50 years due to the prejudice and language within.
Important People
John Steinbeck: wrote the book and published it in 1937
Gary Sinise: american actor that a part in the first movie
John Malkovich: played a part in the first movie
James Franco: played a part in the second movie
Chris O'Dowd: played a part in the second movie