What is the Subject and Theme in Of Mice and Men and How Are They Developed?

Of Mice and Men is a story that presents various themes throughout. Each one of these themes force you to reflect upon the actions of each individual that lead up to what the author is trying to say.

If you were to ask a random person what the theme of this story is, they might say something like "Racism", "Mental Disability", or even "Alienation and Loneliness". However, neither of those are the theme of this story. Those are called subjects. The theme is not the subject. The subject is the general idea of what the story revolves around. But the theme is what the author is trying to say about the story. For the purpose of this blog, the subject in Of Mice and Men is alienation and loneliness. But what is the author trying to say about alienation and loneliness? In my opinion, I think that John Steinbeck is trying to say that even the most poorest, lonely, and isolated people of society have the biggest dreams.

Crooks from Of Mice and Men

The subject of alienation and loneliness is developed extremely well by John Steinbeck. What he's trying to say about how the most lonely people of society have the biggest dreams is also very well developed. How does he do this? He does this through the characters actions, speeches, and plot of the story. Throughout the story, the characters perform various actions that, as the reader, gets to know and understand the characteristics and personality of each character. Let me give you a few examples. Firstly, Crooks is isolated from society and even the other men at the ranch. He is forced to live in the crappy conditions of the small room in the barn away from all the other men. He is not allowed to communicate with the others. He is often treated in disrespect such as being called a "nigger", which is a racially unacceptable word towards black people. On page 78, while Curley's wife is in Crooks room along with Lennie and Candy, she says, "An' what am I doin? Standin' here talkin' to a bunch of bindle stiffs-- a nigger an' a dum-dum and a lousy ol' sheep-- an' likin' it because they ain't nobody else." Candy is a man who usually doesn't socialize with the other ranch men. He spends a lot of time with his dog because he has nobody else to be with. This clearly shows loneliness. The way Steinbeck wrote Candy's actions, you can tell that all he wants to do is be with his dog and nobody else. Eventually, the other ranch men complain that Candy's dog is too old and too smelly and suggested that they kill the dog out of his misery. Eventually he gives up and let's Carlson do the killing for him. Candy is extremely sad after his dog got killed.

George (left) and Lennie (right) from Of Mice and Men

But the two characters that show the most amount of alienation, loneliness, and isolation are George and Lennie. They both are homeless with no family and are travelling around finding work on various ranches. They are poor, and they do not communicate with society. George has promised Lennie with the responsibility of taking care of Lennie even though it is a tough thing to do. Lennie is a mentally challenged guy and has the mind of a four year old. He is often causing trouble even though he is not doing it on purpose. George has the job of trying to avoid Lennie from these situations. This is why George does not like Lennie interacting with other people. He is afraid Lennie will say the wrong things and cause trouble. For example, when George and Lennie arrive at the ranch, George does not allow Lennie to talk because of fear he will give them a horrible reputation and be kicked out of the ranch. Their friendship ends in a very tragic way. With Lennie's life on the line in Curley's hands, George has no choice but to perform an act of mercy killing towards Lennie to save him from the torture and horrors that Lennie will face; far worse than death. George has no one to ask for help because Curley, the boss' son wants to kill Lennie for killing his wife. With Curley being the boss' son, the other ranch men know that there is nothing they can do to help Lennie because if Curley doesn't kill Lennie, the boss will. This is why George is isolated in this situation and can't do anything about it. Lennie's death occurs from the turnaround of tragic events from their isolation and loneliness.

The theme in Of Mice and Men is how the most poorest, lonely, and isolated people in society have the biggest dreams. Almost each character in this story has a specific dream they want to pursue and achieve. George and Lennie want to gather enough money to buy their own piece of land that they know of. However, since the cost is too high, Candy decides to join along and pitch in about half of the total cost of the piece of land. This theme is developed through the actions of each individual. But one person in particular who has shown this theme is Lennie. Lennie's dream is be able to pet animals, specifically rabbits. However, is loneliness and mental disability has proven to show that is a big dream for Lennie. He loves to pet animals. During his stay on the ranch he pets the puppies that are located in the barn. This shows a sense of isolation from society from Lennie because he is always with animals in his spare time. Another character that shows a good example of being lonely and has a dream is Crooks. Crooks' dream is to be treated equal just like everyone else. He is lonely, isolated, and alienated from all of society and all the ranch members just because he is black. What is asking for, to be treated equal, is a HUGE dream and wasn't accomplished until about 30-40 years after this story took place, The Great Depression.

John Steinbeck, the author of Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck presents the subject of Alienation and Loneliness through the story, Of Mice and Men. He also presents the theme of how the most poorest, lonely, and isolated people of society have the biggest dreams. He develops the subject and theme in such a fascinating way through the actions and speeches of the characters as well as their personality. You can judge by the way they act, feel, and talk that they are all very lonely. Throughout the story, each character talks about their specific dream. Overall, the subject and theme of this story is one not to be avoided and has created a great deal of thoughts and reflections for me to think upon, and probably for everyone else as well.

Thanks for reading,

~ Ramez Fares

Sources:

Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. New York: Penguin, 1937. Print.

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