Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (March 8-9, 2004)
Lennie and George are two drifters in California looking for work. They stick together out of loneliness. George is alert and watchful, while Lennie has the mind of a child and tries his best to obey George. Their goal is to own their own piece of land where they'd be free to live off the land and farm for themselves.
The problem is that Lennie often, and unknowingly, gets into trouble forcing him and George to flee. They begin with a new harvesting position and George reminds Lennie to say little and where to hide if he gets into any trouble. They meet Candy who wants to join them in buying a piece of land. They also meet the boss' son, Curly, who is aggressive and jealous. His new wife has no interest in him and is ready to seduce the workers. George immediately recognizes her as trouble.
Lennie has amazing and uncontrolled strength. At the beginning of the story he kills a mouse that he keeps in his pocket from petting it too hard. He breaks Curly's hand after Curly fights with him, and kills a young pup by being too rough. Finally, Curly's wife tries to get attention from Lennie and learning that he loves rabbits, dogs and other soft things, asks him to touch her hair. She gets upset as he musses her hair, and he reacts by holding her too tight, breaking her neck, thus killing her.
Lennie hides on the river bank, and sees visions realizing how much trouble he's in. Curly, learning that Lennie has killed his wife, is ready to hunt Lennie. George finds Lennie first at the site they promised to meet if there was trouble, and George shoots his friend Lennie. George has lost his dream of the future, and only a few of the laborers understand his loss.
This novella's ending is a stunner as you to read it, even if you are anticipating it. As with The Pearl and Grapes of Wrath, the end of the story leaves the reader conflicted and still thinking.
