Of Mice and Men Group

Question:

perfume
perfume
Student
High School - 10th Grade

What is the theme in "Of Mice and Men"?

I need to know the morals and purpose of this book.

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Posted by perfume on Saturday March 1, 2008 at 1:25 PM and tagged with of mice and men, themes.

Answers:

  1. perfume
    perfume Student
    High School - 10th Grade

    The theme is the importance of friendship and how rich and poor people have same dreams all over the world.

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    Posted by perfume on Saturday March 1, 2008 at 1:28 PM


  2. sullymonster Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    This question has been answered.  The link to the answer is provided below.  I have also included the themes page of the enotes summary, which provides much useful information.

    Let me add this information.  Steinbeck's moral code includes and highlights loyalty.  It is acceptable for George to lie and to commit murder because he does it all in order to be loyal to Lennie.  He promised to take care of Lennie, and he is following through with it.  The message is that to be a good man,  you must show loyalty to those people you consider family.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/ofmice/q-and-a/what-some-world-conn...
    http://www.enotes.com/ofmice/themes

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    Posted by sullymonster on Saturday March 1, 2008 at 2:37 PM

  3. lensor
    lensor Teacher

    eNotes Editor

    Steinbeck presents several themes in this work: loneliness, the elusiveness of the American Dream, and victimization. 

    The feeling of loneliness is palpable throughout the book.  The men on the ranch travel by themselves and have no real connections to each other.  Curley's wife spends her days wandering about the ranch, searching for someone with whom she can share her dreams.  Crooks is segregated from the others, as he is not allowed to live in the bunkhouse with the others because he is black.

    Candy and Crooks join George and Lennie in their quest for the American dream, when they try to become a part of the plan to buy a house on a small piece of land.  They all seem to understand from the outset, though, that they will never realize this dream.

    Finally, every one of the major characters is a victim.  The ranch hands are victims of the boss's instructions and wishes.  Curley's wife is a victim of a patriarchal society.  Crooks is a victim of racism.  

    There is an excellent discussion of the themes of this book on eNotes.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/ofmice

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    Posted by lensor on Friday March 7, 2008 at 5:53 PM

  4. qawsedrftgyhujikol
    qawsedrftgyhujikol Student
    High School - 10th Grade

    The American Dream: George and Lennie dream to be able to own a place of their own and be their own bosses

    Loneliness: Candy's only companion, his dog, is killed

    Friendship: George shooting Lennie to help him escape from a brutal lynching

    Innocence: Lennie's not understanding why he shouldn't enter Crooks' room

    Discrimination: Crooks, as a ranch outcast, lives in a room all alone

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    Posted by qawsedrftgyhujikol on Tuesday March 11, 2008 at 12:45 AM

  5. yulia12
    yulia12 Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    The theme of this book is that two man have dreams athat they always try to fallow up on!

    they put there hopes above the others and safe money to make the dream come true!

    hope this helps 

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    Posted by yulia12 on Thursday March 27, 2008 at 9:00 PM

  6. jobyrnscheer03
    jobyrnscheer03 Student
    High School - 11th Grade

    i am currently doing a term paper on this book and there are many different themes. You just have to remember that a theme is what you percieve that the author is trying to get across to you. But for my paper i chose the theme of dreams. (The pursuit of an unrealistic dream can be demoralizing.) i got this from lennie and george and how they want to own there own farm and become their own bosses and george deep down inside he knows that that would never happen. Every character in this book has their own dream and none of them come true. There are many other themes such as lonieness, freindship, and many others. Just dont go by what other people say the theme is. think of what you think it is.

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    Posted by jobyrnscheer03 on Tuesday April 28, 2009 at 4:50 PM

  7. megzii
    megzii Student
    High School - 10th Grade

    'of Mice and Men' has many themes;

    Dreams, Racism, Segragation, Prejudice, Lonliness, Friendship and strengths/weaknesses

    Hope it helps!

    go to

    Sources:
    http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/

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    Posted by megzii on Wednesday July 15, 2009 at 2:26 AM

  8. nkomo
    nkomo Student
    High School - 11th Grade

    Is were zola 7 became the kwaito star in south africa guluva him self

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    Posted by nkomo on Tuesday August 25, 2009 at 9:17 PM