OF MICE AND MEN- BACKGROUND INFORMATION
JOHN STEINBECK (1902-1968)
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BORN IN SALINAS, CA IN 1902
MOST FAMOUS BOOK WRITING WAS DURING THE 30’S AND 40’S AND DEAL
WITH THE PROBLEMS OF WORKING CLASS PEOPLE.
MANY CHARACTERS ARE IMMIGANTS FROM MEXICO OR MIGRANT WORKERS
FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE U.S. THEY ARE COMING TO CALI FOR WORK AND
A BETTER LIFE.
OF MICE AND MEN SETTING
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FARMLAND OF THE SALINAS VALLEY,
CA
RANCH IN THE STORY IS NEAR
SOLEDAD (SE OF SALINAS ON THE
SALINAS RIVER).
MIGRANT FARM WOKERS
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@ THE TIME OF PUBLICATION ALMOST HALF OF AMERICA’S GRAIN WAS
HARVESTED BY COMBINES. FIVE MEN COULD DO WHAT 350 COULD’VE DONE
A FEW YEARS EARLIER.
1880’S-EARLY 1930’S MEN TRAVELED HARVESTING WHEAT.
$2.50-$3.00 PER DAY WITH FOOD AND ACCOMMODATIONS.
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1930’S UNEMPLOYMENT, FDR AND “THE NEW DEAL”.
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THEMES
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THE AMERICAN DREAM
LONELINESS
FRIENDSHIP
INNOCENCE
DISCRIMINATION
FRIENDSHIP