Which novel by John Steinbeck was published in 1937?
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John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is a major work of American literature, published in 1937. The novel deals with themes of friendship, loneliness, hope and the struggle for survival in the difficult context of the Great Depression of the 1930s. It is set on a ranch in California, a state where many itinerant farm workers were trying to find work to support themselves.
The story follows two main characters, George Milton and Lennie Small, two inseparable friends who travel together in search of work. George is small, intelligent and pragmatic, while Lennie is tall, strong but mentally handicapped. Their relationship is one of the most poignant aspects of the novel, with George caring for Lennie while pursuing the shared dream of one day owning their own farm.
The novel’s title, Of Mice and Men, is inspired by a poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns, which evokes the idea that even the best-laid plans can fail, an idea that resonates throughout the story. Steinbeck uses this work to underline the precariousness of farm workers’ lives at the time, as well as the impact of isolation and social inequality.
The novel is also a reflection on the American dream, the dream of success and prosperity that George and Lennie pursue in spite of everything. Reality, however, is often cruel, and the story takes a tragic turn when Lennie, though gentle by nature, accidentally causes the death of the wife of the ranch owner’s son. This tragic event precipitates the end of George and Lennie’s dream.
Of Mice and Men is a classic often studied in schools for its ability to capture the fundamental aspects of the human condition. Through deeply human characters, Steinbeck explores the harsh realities of working-class existence in an America in crisis.
literature
Which novel by John Steinbeck was published in 1937?
Answer
John Steinbeck's 1937 novel Of Mice and Men tells the touching story of two itinerant workers during the Great Depression.