This study guide will help you analyze the novel Of Mice and Men (1937) by John Steinbeck. You can also find a summary of the text, as well as inspiration for interpreting it and putting it into perspective.
John Steinbeck (1902-1968) is one of the best-known American authors of the early 20th century. Over his lifetime he wrote 16 novels, including his most famous works Of Mice and Men (1937) and The Grapes of Wrath (1939). Much of his writing is set in central California and often draws on his own experiences. In 1962, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Of Mice and Men is a short novel in the realist genre and is based on Steinbeck’s experiences of working with migrant farm workers when he was young. Although it is a very popular book, it has also been criticized for its use of racist language. The novel has been adapted for film and television several times. The most notable adaptations include the 1939 version directed by Lewis Milestone, and the 1992 version direct by Gary Sinise.
The edition of the novel used for this study guide is the 2006 version from Penguin Classics.
Here, you can read an extract from our study guide: