John Steinback
1993 (originally published 1937)
Penguin
p. 112
Of Mice and Men is a novella written by Steinback, partly including his own experiences of working as a migrant worker. The book title has been taken from Burns’ poem ‘To a Mouse’ that read: “The best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry”.
The story revolves around the search for a job and some stability in life by two friends, George and Lennie. Set in the time of depression, the two workers set about looking for work that would ultimate contribute to their dream of owning a piece of land. Lennie has a knack of getting into trouble with his more than average physical strength and less than average personal and social intelligence. George thus takes the lead in acquiring jobs and guiding them towards work. But, their plans go awry, as the title of the book suggests.
The book can easily be criticised for somewhat trivialising serious issues of racism and sexism. On the other hand, it can be defended for being depictions of what characterised social relations at the time. Sadly, the situations haven’t changed much since then. It is a tale of friendship, dreams, life struggles, and power games.
It has layers of meaning and each reader is free to discover the meaning that holds true to him/her. I discovered in it the power of shared dreams and the bond of friendship, than may sometimes must mix with tragedy to meet its rightful end.
Some quotes:
http://kitaabonmeinhulchal.blogspot.in/2016/01/of-mice-and-men-steinbeck-john.html