Show how 'Of Mice and Men" is about dreams, loneliness and outsiders.

             'Of Mice and Men" is set in the ranches of Northern California during the 1930"s. The reason why the Author, John Steinbeck wrote this book is because whilst working to support himself through his college career from 1919 to 1926, he did a number of unskilled manual jobs. One being a farm labourer on ranches in North California. It was this experience that influenced Steinbeck to write this novel.

             There are three main messages that Steinbeck is portraying in this novel. The first is of the loyalty and friendship which exists between George and Lennie and the rarity of this in 1930"s working man"s America. The second is of the hostile economic environment of America during this period. Thirdly is of the loneliness and isolation which each character experiences and the dream of a better life. I believe that this is a reflection of Steinbeck"s thoughts on the subject of the 'American Dream" and the false promises of the American government at that time.

             The novel also shows Steinbeck"s pre-occupation with the notion of fantasies. This interest can be found in much of his writing and stems from his interest in ancient heroic stories. One of the main themes of the story is how it is about dreams, loneliness and outsiders.

             Hopes and dreams are both the fuel and the fire in 'Of Mice and Men". Steinbeck uses these to thicken the plot and make the reader take more of an interest into the character"s outcomes. Loneliness is one of the many underlying themes that is expressed in the novel through many of the characters. Some of the factors of this isolation are age, sexism and racism.

             The two main characters in the story are George and Lennie. George and Lennie have formed an unlikely relationship. They both have a dream. At the beginning of the novel, while George and Lennie are preparing for sleep down by the river you find out how different they actually are.