The Great Depressions Effect on American People Depicted...

‘Of Mice and Men’ was written by John Steinbeck and published in 1937. The story is based on migrant workers in California during the time of the Great Depression. The Great Depression was caused by the Wall Street Crash in America which effected many business and banks many of which became bankrupt. This resulted in mass unemployment, inflation and economic migration from the city to the countryside. Steinbeck wrote this novel to show what life was like for low-paid, poor workers and to show how the Great Depression effected American people. He represents what life was like for many unprivileged people in 1930s America: migrant workers, women and black Americans. Firstly, John Steinbeck represents the lives of migrant workers in his†¦show more content†¦Steinbeck describes them: â€Å"both were dressed in denim trouser and in denim coats with brass buttons. Both wore black, shapeless hats and both carried tight blanket rolls slung over their shoulder†. George and Lennie are deliberately dressed in the same way to signify their lack of individuality and identity as migrant workers . Their â€Å"tight blanket rolls† symbolise their lack of possessions and their homelessness. They also suggest that George and Lennie are living in poor, uncomfortable conditions in which they are struggling to survive . In 1930s America it was very difficult to find a work because of the Great Depression. During this time, many people lost their jobs and employers were strict. Employers would only keep workers if they were good and if they liked the worker. Because there were so many workers and so few jobs at this time, an employed could dismiss a worker and get a new worker easily. When George and Lennie found work on the Soledad ranch, Steinbeck records the scene where they meet their boss for the first time for an interview. George instructs Lennie not to speak during the interview because he is scared that the boss will not employ them because Lennie is unintelligent. During the interview, George