Theme of

1)Dreams:
(P - point) Dreams play a central role in 'Of Mice and Men' by introducing the idea of
the American Dream and its reality in the time of the Great Depression. (E -
example)Before even reaching the ranch Lennie and George talk about their own
dream, "We're gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an' a cow an' some
pigs..." Despite being typical poor ranchers, eating just beans and sleeping rough,
George repeats to Lennie why they are different to other ranchers because "we gotta
future". (E - explanation/exploration) This dream is linked to the 'American Dream'
which is the idea that all men are equal so with hard work and dedication, everyone
has the possibility for success and a better life. It is a source of hope for Lennie and
George, which motivates them to get a job on the ranch and work towards their goal
of independence owning their own farm. The biggest attraction for Lennie is rabbits
for him to pet, but for George it is freedom, which is particularly symbolic of the
American ideal. However, written in a reflection of the Great Depression in 1930s
America, it was a time when the American Dream was no longer possible, as the
reality for the country was widespread poverty, deprivation and loss. The way George
recites their dream like a bedtime story to Lennie suggests that their future is more
aligned with fairytales than reality, so from the beginning the reader knows it will
never come true. (L - link) Therefore, Steinbeck uses George and Lennie's dream to
highlight the harsh reality of America and the futility of the once powerful American
Dream. He seems to suggest that there is in fact no hope for the common man, who's
struggle to survive dreaming about the future will never come to pass.
Loneliness:
The name of the town close to the ranch where the novel is set is Soledad, which
translates from Spanish to ‘solitude’, so loneliness is immediately established as an
important theme in Of Mice and Men.
Most of the characters on the ranch are lonely. George and Lennie stand out because
their friendship means that they are not isolated and this is very unusual, making some
others (like the Boss) suspicious of them. Steinbeck shows how the lifestyle that the
men lead is very damaging to their relationships, making them lack compassion for
others.
The loneliest characters in the book are Candy, Crooks and Curley’s wife. All of these
characters are different to the others on the ranch: Candy is older than the others;
Crooks is the only black man; and Curley’s wife is the only woman. These factors
make the characters isolated and the men on the ranch show no empathy towards
them, instead making them more isolated by treating them badly.
Powerlessness:
In chapter 1, Steinbeck establishes the theme of powerlessness by introducing the
characters and their circumstances. George and Lennie are migrant workers who are
constantly on the move in search of work. They are poor and have no job security,
which makes them vulnerable to exploitation by their employers. Candy is an old
swamper who has lost his hand and is no longer useful to the ranch. He is afraid of
being fired and has no other prospects. Crooks is a black stable hand who is isolated
from the other workers due to his race. He is not allowed to enter the bunkhouse and
is forced to sleep in the barn. Curley’s wife is introduced as a flirtatious woman who
is married to the boss’s son. She is not given a name and is referred to only in relation
to her husband.
In chapter 2, Steinbeck continues to develop the theme of powerlessness by showing
how the characters are affected by their circumstances. Candy is afraid of being fired
and is willing to do anything to keep his job. He offers to contribute money to George
and Lennie’s dream of owning a farm, hoping that he will be allowed to live there.
Curley’s wife is shown to be lonely and desperate for attention. She flirts with the men
on the ranch, hoping to alleviate her boredom. Crooks is visited by Lennie, who is
looking for someone to talk to. Crooks initially resents Lennie’s intrusion but
eventually opens up to him.
In chapter 3, Steinbeck further develops the theme of powerlessness by showing how
the characters are affected by their relationships with others. Curley’s wife flirts with
Slim, hoping to make her husband jealous. She is rebuffed by Slim, who tells her to
leave him alone. Candy is excited about the prospect of owning a farm with George
and Lennie, but he is also afraid that it will never happen. Crooks is visited by Candy,
who tells him about the dream of owning a farm. Crooks initially scoffs at the idea but
eventually becomes interested.
Fate:
Chapter 1: The theme of fate is introduced through the character of Lennie. His
intellectual disability and his inability to control his strength often lead to unfortunate
outcomes, suggesting that he is destined for trouble. The dead mouse in Lennie’s
pocket serves as a potent symbol of the end that awaits weak, unsuspecting
creatures. This foreshadows the tragic events that are to come, hinting at the inevitable
nature of fate.
Chapter 2: In this chapter, the theme of fate is further explored through the
characters’ interactions and experiences at the ranch. George and Lennie’s late arrival
at the ranch, the boss’s suspicion of their partnership, and the incident with Curley all
hint at the challenges and conflicts that they are destined to face34. These events
suggest that despite their efforts, George and Lennie cannot escape their fate.
Chapter 3: The theme of fate becomes more prominent in this chapter. The death of
Candy’s dog, a metaphor for companionship and loneliness, foreshadows Lennie’s
own fate5. The crushing of Curley’s hand by Lennie is another dark and violent
occurrence that has repercussions later67. These incidents highlight the inevitability of
fate and how it impacts the characters’ lives6.
Nature:
Chapter 1: The novel opens with a description of a riverbed in rural California, a
beautiful, wooded area at the base of “golden foothill slopes”1. This setting establishes
the novel’s grounding in nature and the environment1. Lennie’s fascination with
petting soft things, which begins with a dead mouse, shows his affinity for animals
and the natural world2. However, his inability to control his strength often leads to the
death of the animals he pets, suggesting a conflict between man and nature2.
Chapter 2: Chapter 2 introduces the ranch, contrasting the world of nature and the
world of men3. The change in scenery from the natural setting of Chapter 1 to the
bunkhouse in Chapter 2 mirrors the change in circumstance for Lennie and
George3. The ranch represents a harsh, man-made environment that is far removed
from the peaceful, natural setting of the opening chapter3. This contrast underscores
the conflict between man and nature3.
Chapter 3: In this chapter, the theme of nature is further explored through the
characters’ interactions with animals. Lennie’s joy at being given a puppy shows his
continued love for animals4. However, the decision of Carlson to shoot Candy’s old
dog, who is old and can barely walk, reflects the harsh realities of life on the ranch,
where the weak and the old are discarded4. This incident highlights the conflict
between the natural world and the world of men4.
Friendship:
Chapter 1: The friendship between George and Lennie is introduced. Despite their differences,
they share a bond of companionship that sets them apart from the other men1. George looks out
for Lennie, who has an intellectual disability, and this dynamic establishes their unique
friendship2.
Chapter 2: Their friendship continues to stand out at the ranch. The boss becomes suspicious of
their close relationship, as it is unusual in their environment3. Despite the suspicion and potential
for trouble, George continues to protect Lennie4.
Chapter 3: George opens up about his past with Lennie, revealing the depth of their
friendship5. He explains how he took on the responsibility of looking after Lennie following the
death of Lennie’s Aunt Clara6. This chapter highlights that their friendship is not just for
Lennie’s benefit, but for their mutual support4.
Relationship:
Chapter 1: The relationship between George and Lennie is introduced. Despite their differences,
they share a bond of companionship that sets them apart from the other men1. George looks out
for Lennie, who has an intellectual disability, and this dynamic establishes their unique
relationship2.
Chapter 2: Their relationship continues to stand out at the ranch. The boss becomes suspicious
of their close relationship, as it is unusual in their environment3. Despite the suspicion and
potential for trouble, George continues to protect Lennie3.
Chapter 3: George opens up about his past with Lennie, revealing the depth of their
relationship4. He explains how he took on the responsibility of looking after Lennie following the
death of Lennie’s Aunt Clara4. This chapter highlights that their relationship is not just for
Lennie’s benefit, but for their mutual support4.

Hope:
Chapter 1: The dream of owning their own farm is introduced. This dream represents
hope for George and Lennie, a hope for independence, security, and being their own
boss1. For Lennie, the dream is like the soft animals he pets: It means security, the
responsibility of tending to the rabbits, and a sanctuary where he won’t have to be
afraid2.
Chapter 2: Their plan to own their own farm highlights the theme of dreams, which
also involves Candy and Crooks, as well as Curley’s wife3. George and Lennie’s
unusual friendship introduces the idea of companionship, while also contrasting with
the loneliness experienced by characters such as Curley’s wife, Crooks and
Candy3. The power of their vision of a simple life on an idyllic little farm rests in its
ability to soothe the afflicted4.
Chapter 3: In this chapter, Lennie’s happiness in securing a puppy and the promise of
being able to finally get their dream farm, balance the dark images in the
chapter5. This dream of theirs is not unusual for men like them: many others are also
dreaming of a better life6.

Responsibility:
Chapter 1: George takes on the responsibility of taking care of Lennie, who has an
intellectual disability1. George looks out for Lennie’s safety, even to the point of
taking away a dead mouse that Lennie has been petting2. This shows George’s sense
of responsibility towards Lennie, as he tries to prevent Lennie from getting into
trouble1.
Chapter 2: George continues to take responsibility for Lennie at the ranch. When the
boss questions them about their work history and skills, George answers for Lennie to
prevent him from revealing his lack of intelligence3. This shows George’s continued
responsibility for Lennie’s wellbeing3.
Chapter 3: George’s sense of responsibility towards Lennie is further highlighted in
this chapter. He reprimands Lennie for bringing his new puppy into the bunkhouse,
showing his concern for both Lennie and the puppy4. George also shares the story of
how he came to be responsible for Lennie, revealing that he has taken on this
responsibility out of a sense of duty and care4.