bwyckoff1's Full Review: John Steinbeck - Of Mice and Men: The Play
This review is part of a write-in for Censored and Banned Books. It is a topic I have wrestled with in other reviews and in other aspects of my life. I totally support free written expression and a world without authors like John Steinbeck would be a different world indeed. John Steinbeck wrote the novel titled” of Mice and Men” in 1937. It was a world of depression, migrant workers and poverty in the United States. Steinbeck was concerned about these issues and wanted to leave his mark on his feelings about this type of existence. He spared no words, painted no pretty pictures of it; his writing is true and raw. John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California and this novel takes place in this locale. This author believed the writer’s duty was to “ set down his time as nearly as he can understand it” and serve as “The watchdog of society. To satirize its silliness, to attack its injustices, to stigmatize its faults.” Mr.Steinbeck accomplishes this goal in this novel and more.
The title of the book actually stems from the Scottish poet Robert Burns. It is from the poem written To a Mouse in 1785. I quote here:
The best –laid schemes ‘o mice and men
Gang aft a-gley
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promised joy.
The best-laid plans do seem to fall for naught in the main characters of Lennie Small and George. Lennie is a big hulk of a man, the strength of a mythological giant and the brain of an innocent child. His world is punctuated by a need to feel wanted, loved and cared for. Lennie is a grown man who has been starved for affection, and starved for the loving touch of another human being. Steinbeck leaves his past afflictions to our imagination. He was abandoned, he needs to care for someone and be loved. Lennie dreams of taking care of soft, innocent, rabbits the way a mother yearn to bond with her baby. It is his outer strength that belies his nature, and serves to bring on his demise.
George is the other main character in this small novel. George is the role model, father figure, dreamer that sets a path of hope out for not only Lennie, but himself as well. Society takes so much for granted. Can you imagine daydreaming for a plot of land to call your own? Doing as you please, going where you want, living off the “fat a the lan”? George is a hard working migrant laborer that has spent his sweat and time both caring for Lennie and keeping his dream alive as well.
George and Lennie set out to work as migrant workers and ranch hands to get some money together to make their dream come true. Steinbeck foreshadows their troubles throughout the book from the death of a small mouse in the first portion of the book. This is a theme that is repeated often. Death of youth, death of innocence, death of dreams etc.
The plot is basic really. George and Lennie set out to purchase a plot of land to work and live on, a place that Lennie can tend rabbits while George can finally get himself something to call his own. Lennie unfortunately has the brute strength of a giant and paired with the common sense and intellect of a small child proves to be a lethal combination. Paired with accusations and a past of accidental killings they arrive at a Ranch as migrant workers. At the ranch the reader is introduced to a small number of interesting characters, all winding their way around a hussy of a woman. She just happens to be the new wife of the boss’s son. It is this tart that gets Lennie in the Barn and leads to his early demise. She tries to seduce Lennie and get his attention. It leads to her accidental death. There in the barn among the dark, dank smell of hay the dream of the future begins to unravel.
It is the end of the novel that is cause for contemplation and discussion. Lennie hides in the brush and awaits his punishment. His justice for his crime. George has a descion to make and takes matters into his own hands to end Lennnie’s life. Could George have just as easily run away from the crime scene, run from the fate that awaited poor Lennie. Could George have waited for justice to be meted out by an unruly mob of migrant workers who were ready to slaughter Lennie? What was his motivation to take Lennies life? Was it an act of pure love? Or perhaps he needed to keep his own dream of being a landowner to be kept alive in spite of Lennie. The answers to all these questions can only come from you, the reader. That is why this particular book can never be banned or censored. The questions of ethics and morality leap out at you from each page.
Now I want to discuss with you the Educational Banning of this novel:
First off, I would not recommend this book for under the High School level class.
The banning of this book pure and simple is due to sections that are extremely racist. Sections that discuss the segregation of the black man. It screams out the prejudices that existed and still exist in many cases today. As a result should this book be banned? Absolutely not. This book serves as a springboard to discuss this racial prejudice and where it led to not only in this novel, but its impact on today. Is this a book about racial prejudice? No. By banning this novel, you are banning the bigger issues that are in stake in this novel.
Steinbeck is not only the master of character development, but no other author surpasses his descriptive pauses in between dialogue. He weaves artistry of words the way an artist uses a palette of endless colors.
If indeed people had a collection of Banned and Censored Books throughout History they would indeed have an impressive collection. John Steinbeck should proudly be displayed among these authors.
Other banned book participants and authors I urge you to read are Lagavulin, RCarte2000, Jennjoy, Jankp, Brendamh, Hhassell99, Telefrog, ChrisJarmick, Bupkiss,Melkinwa, Eplovejoy, Ikvanvoorhis, Scmrak, Hawgwyld, Phineaskc,and Fracesca57. Thanks to all who come and share our love of banned books.
Tragic tale of a retarded man and the friend who loves and tries to protect him. With illustrations from the movie starring John Malkovich and Gary Si...More at HotBookSale
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