The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Literature›Of Mice and Men
Entertainment • Literature

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men is a 1937 novella by American writer John Steinbeck.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Of Mice and Men is a 1937 novella by American writer John Steinbeck. Set in California during the Great Depression, it follows migrant ranch workers George Milton and Lennie Small as they pursue a dream of owning land together. The work is widely studied as a tragedy about friendship, loneliness, and the fragility of the American Dream.

Plot

The story follows George and Lennie as they move from ranch to ranch seeking work. Their shared dream of owning a small farm is gradually undone by Lennie's lack of control and a tragic final confrontation.

Themes

The novella explores friendship, loneliness, power, violence, and the instability of hope during economic hardship. It is often read as a critique of the American Dream in Depression-era America.

Background and title

Steinbeck published the work in 1937, drawing on Depression-era migrant labour conditions. The title refers to a line from Robert Burns's 'To a Mouse', which alludes to plans going awry.

Adaptations and reception

Steinbeck adapted the novella into a three-act play, also produced in 1937. The work has been widely adapted for screen and remains a common school text, though it is also frequently challenged for language, racism, and violence.

Key facts

  • The novella was published in 1937 and written by John Steinbeck.
  • It centres on two migrant labourers, George Milton and Lennie Small.
  • The story is set in California during the Great Depression.
  • Its title comes from Robert Burns's poem 'To a Mouse'.
  • The work was adapted by Steinbeck into a three-act play in 1937.
🍁
Canadian context

Of Mice and Men is widely studied in Canadian English-language literature courses and classrooms as part of the North American literary canon.

Frequently asked questions

What is Of Mice and Men?
It is a 1937 novella by John Steinbeck about two migrant ranch workers in California during the Great Depression.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters are George Milton and Lennie Small, two travelling labourers who hope to own land together.
What is the title from?
The title comes from Robert Burns's poem 'To a Mouse'.
What genre is it?
It is generally classified as a novella and a tragedy.
Was it adapted for other media?
Yes. Steinbeck adapted it into a three-act play, and it was later adapted for film and television.
Why is it often studied in schools?
It is widely taught for its themes, structure, and social context, especially its depiction of loneliness and Depression-era labour.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Mice_and_Men
    Supports: Publication year, author, principal characters, and general plot setting.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Of-Mice-and-Men-by-Steinbeck
    Supports: Publication year, plot overview, adaptation into a play, and later film and television adaptations.
  3. Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/of-mice-and-men
    Supports: Identification of the work as a novel/novella by John Steinbeck.
  4. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/facts/
    Supports: Genre, language, and narrative classification.
  5. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/mice-and-men
    Supports: Setting, themes, title source, and literary significance.
  6. Simple English Wikipedia — https://www.simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Mice_and_Men
    Supports: Title source from Robert Burns, school challenges, and broad thematic description.