Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck

I’m going to do something a little different, and solely review the book. The movie was loyal, and accurate to the characters, so I have no issues with it. I dislike the original content though, so that’s what I want to talk about.

First, the premise. I don’t appreciate John Steinbeck using the learning disability as a plot tool, killing Lennie to develop the plot and characters. If someone had only helped the guy learn the social norms that often went over his head, he wouldn’t have killed someone. Really, all the ‘minority’ characters (Crooks, Curley’s wife, and Lennie) are treated poorly, but not in a way that addresses the issue. Rather than saying what not to do, you know, making it explicit that the different forms of sexism, racism, and ableism in the book aren’t okay, they weren’t addressed. You could argue that since this book was from the thirties the author didn’t know any better, but in a book like this... well, if you’re not going to address social issues what’s the point. I suppose mentioning the fact that they’re lonely do to prejudice is something, but everyone’s lonely in this book. The target audience already knew about the depression (they lived through it) so the story wasn’t meant to educate.

Looking back at the story, it’s difficult to see what the message exactly is. The most likely meaning is probably on the topic of dreams. That they’re difficult, and impossible to attain. No one in this story achieves their dreams or fulfills their wishes. The other recurring topic is loneliness. Like I said earlier, everyone is lonely in this book. And the only characters that try to do anything about it suffer and then give up. Or die. I just... don’t understand the point? Is the message to give up before things get worse? That things won’t work out? That caring for others will only end with someone getting hurt?

The part that really gets me, though, is the way Curley’s wife is portrayed. She is never given a name. From start to finish she is written like Curley owns her. She’s meant to be viewed as a sort of temptress, unfaithful to the guy that abuses her. And then she dies without any of it being resolved.

If you're interested in books that tell you how hopeless life is, this is the book for you. If you want a book that has hope, and isn’t going to make you feel like you wasted an hour of your time, skip this.