I love stories that make you contemplate them for days or weeks
after you have finished them and even superior are stories that
stay with you for a lifetime. "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
classifies as one of those books in my life.
The only problem with the book is that it is short, but maybe that
is what makes it so appealing. It is a simple story with complex
themes, which involve so many layers of characters and problems in
society.
George and Lennie are travelling companions, with George being the
leader who is slight in body build and Lennie being mentally
handicapped and large in stature. George and Lennie travel from
farm to farm looking for labour. Lennie is sworn into silence
during the interviews because if the employer finds out Lennie is
mentally handicapped they will not hire him. Lennie has to remain
silent until they see how strong he is and how much work he can do,
Lennie is able to work more then most men combined.
If this was all there was to George and Lennie the book would be
done, but Lennie has a problem. Lennie loves soft things and cannot
stop himself from stroking them. It is tolerable when he
accidentally kills mice while stroking them and even the death of
the puppy is forgivable though a greater crime, but when it comes
to the death of a human the crime becomes too great even if not
done in malice.
I often wondered throughout the book why George stuck with Lennie,
and the book never explains why in a clear way that makes the
reader say "Oh, that's why he stayed". Sometimes I thought it was
out of kindness, other times I thought it was because Lennie was
stronger physically and George needed him to get and keep
employment, and other times I considered it may have been due to
the need of human companionship.
"Of Mice and Men" is unquestionably a book I will read again and I
am certain it will feel like welcoming an old friend.