John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a powerful and vivid depiction of life in rural America. It recounts the tragic story of George Milton and Lonnie Small, two lonely itinerant farm workers who belonged nowhere and to no one but themselves. John Steinbeck's work is most often considered in the literary tradition of Social Realism, a type of literature which concerns itself with the direct engagement with and intervention in the problematic (usually economic) social conditions in society. The novel shows two outsiders struggling to understand their own unique place in the world. Steinbeck suggests that humans have the natural potential to seek happiness although the potential can be fatal or harmful.
             Of Mice & Men was written in the time of depression which occurred in the mid 1930's or more specifically in this story, 1937. It is a story of two men, a small, clever and crafty fellow named George and a big, slow and mentally retarded man named Lennie. The story is based around these two characters, and their shattered dream to find true happiness in a farm that they can call their own. But these are not the only characters in this story; there are several other characters that play important roles in the development of this story. They are Curly, Curley's father (the boss), Curley's wife, Candy, Slim, Carlson and Crooks. Of Mice and Men is almost a long short story, divided into six chapters. Steinbeck takes great care to develop the tragic plot in a classical fashion. The first two chapters are largely expository, describing the isolated setting, introducing the characters, and developing the relationship between Lennie and George. The rising action begins in the third chapter with the confrontation between Curley and Lennie. When the huge man easily crushes Curley's hand, his strength is actually seen for the first time and foreshadows that there will be trouble on the ranch. The fourth part of the book focuses on t...