Charles Ashbacher 2008-11-07
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This is the first book by Steinbeck that I ever read and like many other people, it was required reading in my language arts class. It was so moving that some of the girls in the class were crying at the end.
George and Lennie are two workers that move from job to job. George is small and clearly fairly intelligent while Lennie is huge, powerful and has the mind of a child. After some difficulty at a previous job, they arrive at a farm and begin working. They have been together a long time, after Lennie's last surviving relative died and George made a promise he would look after Lennie. However, it is clear that George is growing tired of the responsibility; he wants to be able to act like other men rather than as a perpetual chaperone.
There is a crew of workers at the farm as well as the boss's son and his wife Candy. Candy is unhappy with her lot and flirts with every man around, including Lennie. There are other problems that arise and finally Lennie gets into serious trouble. George then "solves" the problem in the only way he knows how.
This is a sad story and you feel a great deal for George and Lennie. Lennie is all he can ever be and George has done all he can for him. There really is no place for Lennie in the world and all available paths lead to his violent death. Modern readers also have to understand that the story was written in 1937, when the terminology used to describe people was quite different. Therefore, it is necessary for you to be somewhat insensitive in the politically correct sense when you read it.
