Book Synopsis: Of Mice and Men

Title: Of Mice and Men
Author: John Steinbeck
Publication date: 1978
Page count:107
Type: Fiction
Started on: August 31, 2007
Finished on: September 27, 2007
My grade: A

1. Why did I decide to read this book?
There are a few reasons I read this book. When I had my second synopsis due soon I knew I had to read another book. I was looking at Clark's collection and that's when he requested this book. I didn't complain any because I didn't know what books were good and what ones weren't. I liked the appearance of the book. The front cover is nice illustrations and the book had 107 short pages.

2. Plot summary (avoiding major spoilers when possible):
The book begins with two men arriving at a pond. When they speak you then find out why they are there. They had been hiding after causing trouble at the last place they employed. The reason they were ran out of town is because Lennie was feeling a girls dress because he likes soft things and the girl took it the wrong way. Now the two of them were looking for a new place to work and stay out of trouble. Another thing you find out is the bigger guy, Lennie, is kind of slow so George is there to take care of him. The two men have had a dream to own their own land also, this would make them their own boss.

The two men walk down the stream to find the ranch they were going to work at. While there a lot of things occur. The two men let the secret of owning their own land get around. Then two other men decide to help out. Candy and Crooks offer to join in. Then Lennie and Curley get into a fight and Lennie breaks his hand which could have ruined their plan but they get Curley to keep from telling anyone what happened. Later when Curley wife is in the barn with Lennie is when the plan come apart. Lennie began stroking her hair and she begins to scream. When she scream Lennie covers her mouth because he's afraid George won't let him "tend to rabbits". After a while Lennie gets very frustrated and accidentally kills her. So as a result Lennie runs away and when the ranch members find out they go looking for him.


3. What is the setting, and why is it important to the novel?
The story begins at a pond. The men are there because they are looking for the ranch after fleeing a city. Where this story takes place most is at the ranch. The ranch is a place where most of the good and bad events take place. The description of the ranch gives you the feeling of a rough and dangerous place. The importance of the pond though is because this is also where Lennie dies at the very end.

4. Who are the main characters, and what roles do they play in the novel?
George and Lennie are the first two characters you meet. George is a smaller guy but very intelegent. Lennie is the bigger guy who is slow but very strong. The owner of the ranch is referred to as the "boss". The boss is Curley's father. Curley is younger gentleman but has the reputation of being a good fighter. Curley's wife is mentioned in the story just as much as Curley. She's a very pretty girl but often flirts with the ranch workers. She says she had the chance to become an actress but her mother didn't allow her. Candy is a worker at the ranch. He has lost his hand and isn't need at the ranch much. Candy also has a dog who is killed by Carlson because Carlson says he is an old dog who doesn't need to suffer, he also mentions that the dog stinks and annoys the ranch workers. Crooks is a black guy that joins George and Lennie's plan to own their own land. Slim is the one who is most recognized for his experience with ranch work and such things.

5. What is/are the main conflict(s) in the novel?
The main conflict is that George is always looking after Lennie. George cares for Lennie even though Lennie is holding George back from living a good life. As much as Lennie tries he always finds a way to get into trouble. After a while it must really get to George that Lennie can't take care of himself. He knows Lennie isn't living a very good life because he's always listening to George.

6. Describe the climax of the novel.
The climax of the novel is when Lennie kills Curley's wife. This causes all tables to turn. Curley is out to kill Lennie after he kills his wife. George realizes that Lennie is to strong for his own control and may have very major head problems. Also the dream of owning there own land goes down the drain. They will not be able to make there stake because they'd have no place to work. The killing of Curley's wife also leads to Lennie's death.

7. What is the significance of the book's title? Is the title appropriate, or would I change it to something else?
The significance of the title is the ending effect. Through out the book you learn how Lennie loves furry, soft things. He loves touching animals, cloth, or anything with a soft feeling to it. He kind of gets an obsession over furry things. At the beginning of the book Lennie kills a mouse on accident. Also at the end of the book he kills Curley's wife on accident. He just wanted to pet the mouse but kills it instead. He just wanted to touch Curley's wife's hair also but instead when she begins to scream he accidentally kills her.

8. What is my opinion about this book? Why (give specifics)?
I really enjoyed this book. It is exciting to read and I'm very glad I did. I liked how fast things changed in this novel. When everything is looking good then everything falls apart. For example when the men were doing fine on the farm Lennie gets in a fight with Curley and breaks Curley's hand and you think Lennie and George are going to have to leave, they talk Curley into not telling anyone and acting like nothing happened. I also enjoyed reading about Lennie and his obsession with furry things. This causes so much trouble in the book.