Of Mice And Men Historical Lens Analysis

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“...we pay a price for everything we get or take in this world.” -L.M. Montgomery. Throughout history this can be proven true. For example, the Great Depression during the 1930s. In 1929 the stock market crashed thus causing many businesses to fail and banks to close. This can be related to the book Of Mice and Men due to the fact it was hard to make a living during this time period. When analyzing this quote through a historical lens it can be proven true in order to further explain characterization and the setting of the novella, Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck.
….., the main characters of this novella are George and Lennie. Like several relationships in life George and Lennie’s relationship have positive and negative effects. George
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The setting of the novella takes place in Soledad, California during the Dust Bowl time period. During the Dust Bowl period people fled to California in search of jobs and money. George and Lennie fled into California in search of a new job because Lennie got into trouble with a women. While traveling to a job Lennie found a scummy pond and was very parched and took a drink because of the desperation for water. “Lennie, for God’ sakes don’t drink so much” (3). George is telling Lennie to not drink so much water from the pond because otherwise he might become ill. This just shows how poorly the working conditions for farmers were during the 1930’s. As a result of the working conditions being so unwell many people got diseases and many got emotionally scarred. “Guys like us, that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world” (13). This proves how dramatically the lifestyle of farming in the 1930’s had an effect on the workers. Many felt lonely because most did not have anyone like a women in their lives and therefore became very depressed. The farming conditions and lifestyles for the workers in the 1930’s was unforgettably harsh.
This quote by L.M. Montgomery can be proven true through a historical lens by analyzing characters and the setting in the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Throughout the text harsh life and conditions are portrayed along with, George and Lennie’s positive and negative relationship. Brutal working conditions are shown in this novella and throughout the course of