Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - Free Book SummaryIntroduction Of Mice and Men - One of America’s all-time literature classic books, the story of George and his slow-minded friend Lennie has touched the hearts of generations since Steinbeck wrote it in 1937. Of Mice and Men was adapted to TV and several plays and made into two films, including the wonderful Gary Sinise’s version from 2002 with John Malkovich as Lennie. Through a simple story, Steinbeck painted the American dream with realistic colors, which are powerful today as they must have been in California of the 1930’s. "Ruth, Of Mice and Men - Great Summary. Thanks!" Executive Summary George and his slow-minded friend Lennie work in a farm, where they try to earn money to purchase dream farm and keep the giant-child Lennie of out trouble. Despite their sincere efforts and newly found friends, it seems that their devoted friendship and work could perhaps be enough to achieve their dream. But just then, when it all seems within reach, Lennie gets into trouble with the farm owner’s daughter-in-law, and the two friends are forced towards an unavoidable tragic ending. George Milton and his slow-minded friend Lennie Small walked on a dusty trail in California, carrying their only possessions – bedrolls and a few clothes. They’ve just lost their job at a ranch where the giant-like Lennie had scared a young girl with an innocent attempt to touch her red dress. They had to run away from a lynch mob. Now they were heading for another ranch to sign up as workers. George reminded Lennie to let him do all the talking with the ranch owner. Lennie agreed and urged George to tell him again about their dream farm they hoped to own one day: “Come on, George. Tell me. Please, George. Like you done before.” Their dream farm will include all kinds of animals and Lennie will be responsible for the rabbits. The two men neared the farm, and again, George asked Lennie to keep quite with the farm owner so they won’t lose this opportunity to earn the money they so needed for their dream farm. The ranch boss questioned George about Lennie’s quiet manner, but George had his story ready, telling that he was his cousin. “I told his old lady I’d take care of him. He got kicked in the head by a horse when he was a kid. He’s alright. Just ain’t bright.” They were both hired and went right to work. Later that day, before lunch, the ranch owner’s son Curley came to look over the new men. After he went away, Candy, the ranch swamper, warned them about the young man, who too pleasure in boosting his ego by picking on others. He was also an insanely jealous husband who wouldn’t let anyone get even near his wife. Lennie sensed that Curley would bring them trouble and he became nervous about the job, but with no money, they had no choice but continue working there. In the evening, another kind ranch worker named Slim gave the childlike Lennie a puppy. Knowing Lennie’s past difficulties, George told Lennie to take the puppy back to be with his mother. But Lennie just loved cradling his puppy and he continued doing so when they all met to talk. To Lennie’s requests, George told him again the story about their dream farm, and Candy was thrilled; he saved up 350 dollars and wanted to join the farm plan. George happily agreed. With Candy’s money added, the three of them would soon have enough savings to buy a decent farm. Lennie was excited by this new development and was grinning with delight when Curley entered in search of his wife. Seeing Lennie’s wide smile, he assumed that he was taunting him, and his temper boiled over. “What the hell you laughin’ at?” Lennie looked lankly at him. “Huh?” Then Curley’s rage exploded. “Come on ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me. I’ll show ya who’s yella…” Lennie was very big, but being confused, he refused at first to defend himself, afraid he might cause more trouble like George warned him. Lennie covered his face with his huge paws, and belated in terror. He cried, “Make ‘um stop, George.” Then Curleyu attacked his stomach and cut off his wind… George … yelled: “Get ‘em, Lennie.” Lennie took his hands away from his face and looked about for George, and Curley slashed at his eyes. Te big face was covered with blood. George yelled again, “I said get him!” Curley’s fist was swinging when Lennie reached for it. The next minute Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie’s big hand. Eery bone in Curley’s hand was crushed. Curley’s hand needed treatment in town. Slim advised Curley to say his hand was caught in a machine, to avoid the embarrassing truth. This free book summary of Of Mice and Men is complimentary from the www.free-book-summary.com website. Want to say Thanks? Tell about the book summary to your friends, link to it from your blog, or include a link to it in a forum. Cheers! Lennie went to visit Crooks, the black stable worker, and Candy joined them. Lennie was shaken from the incident with Curley and longed for the safety of their dream farm, where George told him he would take care of the rabbits. But then came Curley’s wife, looking for her husband. She was not fooled and guessed Curley’s “accident” was a well taught lesson. That evening, while the ranch staff played some games of horseshoes, Lennie stayed in the barn holding his Puppy. He did not realize that due to his incessant mauling, the puppy was dead. As he sat in the straw, still stroking his dead puppy, Curley’s wife appeared again. First, Lennie refused talking with her, but she made him feel at ease and even let him stroke her hair. After a while, she tried pulling away, but Lennie kept holding on. When she started to scream, he was puzzled. To make her stop screaming, he began shaking her. However, his innocent but very strong hands broke her neck. That night, Candy entered the barn looking for Lennie, but instead he found Curley’s wife dead, half buried under the straw. Lennie had disappeared. When George heard the bad news, he grabbed his gun and joined the other men, who by now had been lead by Curley seeking revenge against the murderer. Fortunately, George got to Lennie first. He was hiding among the bushes by the stream, trembling with fear. George was also afraid of what Curley would do to Lennie. For the last time, George told Lennie the story of their farm and again promised him he could take care of the rabbits. Lennie then wanted to leave and find the right farm. But George knew that would never be able to escape Curley and his mob. As Lennie looked out over the river, George aimed the gun at the back of his friend’s head and pulled the trigger. "Ruth, Of Mice and Men - I simply enjoyed the free book summary. 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Context With the great depression era of the 1930’s in background, Of Mice and Men tells the story of the failed American Dream. Together with the wide spectrum of human emotions so touchingly presented by Steinbeck, this over seventy-year old story still invokes strong reactions with readers worldwide. No surprise then that it is in the reading lists of most high schools in America. The Complete Book Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men (Penguin).
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