One of the most challenged books of the 20th century is Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. The story is about 2 bindlestiffs (migrant workers) named George and Lennie. George is smaller but with brains to spare. Lennie is big but has the mind of a child. Together they travel the country side trying to find work and dreaming of a piece of land for themselves.
The book goes in detail about the difficulties a mentally handicapped adult would face in the early 1900's. No one understood what was really going on with Lennie. The society they lived in had no rules for caring for handicapped adults, no acceptance of their problems, and no sympathy for their lack of compliance to social norms.
It also talks about a wealthy woman's role during that time period. She was expected to stay home, visit with other female friends, and spend her time on domestic tasks. Curly's wife (that's all she's ever called in the book) does not like the role she's been given. She's vain and self serving, but pitiful at the same time. She gave up dreams hoping for a better future and instead ends up being a rich man's plaything. Not getting the attention from him she wants, she attempts to get it from the hired hands. By refusing to comply to social norms, she instigates the main dilemma of the book.
It's a very quick read, I did it one afternoon, but is profoundly thought provoking. I understand why many people have a hard time with the book but I see it as a way to address the underlying social currents of the great depression.
Frankly, the book depressed me and I have no desires to read it again any time soon, but I would recommend others read it to gain a bigger understanding of the country we used to be and the profound power of dreams lost.
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