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Of Mice and Men Essay Topic Examples

A wide range of essay topics, introduction paragraph examples, and conclusion paragraph examples for different essay types aim to help you exercise creativity, delve into personal interests, and engage deeply with John Steinbeck's classic novella, Of Mice and Men. Your ... Read More

Of Mice and Men Essay Topic Examples

Argumentative Essays

Argumentative essays require you to analyze and present arguments related to the novella. Here are some topic examples:

1. Analyze the moral responsibility of George for Lennie's fate.
2. Argue whether the American Dream is attainable or an illusion for the characters in the story.

Example Introduction Paragraph for an Argumentative Essay:
John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men introduces us to the complex relationship between George and Lennie, two displaced ranch workers during the Great Depression. This essay delves into the moral responsibility of George for Lennie's tragic fate, examining the ethical choices made by the characters and the consequences they entail.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for an Argumentative Essay:
In conclusion, the exploration of George's moral responsibility in Of Mice and Men invites us to grapple with the complex nuances of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. As we contemplate the choices made by the characters, we are compelled to reflect on the moral dilemmas that persist in our own lives.

Compare and Contrast Essays

Compare and contrast essays enable you to examine similarities and differences within the novella or between it and other literary works. Consider these topics:

1. Compare and contrast the dreams and aspirations of George and Lennie with those of the other ranch workers.
2. Analyze the similarities and differences between the relationship of George and Lennie in Of Mice and Men and that of Frodo and Sam in Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Compare and Contrast Essay:
Dreams and aspirations serve as powerful driving forces in both literature and life. This essay embarks on a journey to compare and contrast the dreams of George and Lennie with those of their fellow ranch workers, shedding light on the shared human desire for a better future.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Compare and Contrast Essay:
In conclusion, the comparison and contrast of dreams in Of Mice and Men reveal the universal longing for a life filled with purpose and hope. As we consider the dreams of these characters, we are reminded of the enduring human pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.

Descriptive Essays

Descriptive essays allow you to vividly depict settings, characters, or events within the novella. Here are some topic ideas:

1. Describe the natural beauty of the Salinas River and its significance in the story.
2. Paint a detailed portrait of Crooks, focusing on his isolation and resilience.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Descriptive Essay:
The Salinas River in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men stands as a tranquil yet powerful backdrop to the characters' struggles. This essay embarks on a descriptive journey to capture the beauty and significance of the river, immersing the reader in the setting's natural wonders.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Descriptive Essay:
In conclusion, the descriptive portrayal of the Salinas River not only serves as a setting but also symbolizes the characters' dreams and the fleeting nature of their aspirations. Through this exploration, we are reminded of the profound connection between the natural world and the human experience.

Persuasive Essays

Persuasive essays involve arguing a point of view related to the novella. Consider these persuasive topics:

1. Persuade your readers that the treatment of Curley's wife reflects the societal attitudes towards women during the Great Depression.
2. Argue for or against the idea that George's decision to shoot Lennie was an act of mercy.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Persuasive Essay:
Curley's wife in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men emerges as a character representative of the challenges women faced during the Great Depression. This persuasive essay asserts that her treatment reflects the prevailing societal attitudes towards women, shedding light on the gender dynamics of the era.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Persuasive Essay:
In conclusion, the persuasive argument regarding the treatment of Curley's wife prompts us to reflect on the historical injustices faced by women during challenging times. As we consider her fate, we are reminded of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and justice in society.

Narrative Essays

Narrative essays offer you the opportunity to tell a story or share personal experiences related to the themes of the novella. Explore these narrative essay topics:

1. Narrate a personal experience where you encountered friendship and sacrifice similar to that of George and Lennie.
2. Imagine yourself as a character in the world of Of Mice and Men and recount your interactions with the other ranch workers.

Example Introduction Paragraph for a Narrative Essay:
In the tapestry of our lives, we often encounter moments of profound friendship and sacrifice. This narrative essay delves into a personal experience where I witnessed acts of camaraderie and selflessness akin to those of George and Lennie in John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.

Example Conclusion Paragraph for a Narrative Essay:
In conclusion, the narrative of my personal journey reminds us of the enduring power of friendship and sacrifice in the human experience. As we reflect on the bonds formed in the face of adversity, we are encouraged to cherish the meaningful connections we make in our own lives.

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Date, Author

1937, John Steinbeck

Type/Genre

Novella; Social Realism

Characters

Lennie Small, Curley's wife, George Milton, Curley, Crooks, Slim, Carlson, The Boss, Candy

Based on

It was intended to be a play of 30,000 words, which is why it has a dynamic structure.

Symbols/motives

Tragedy, betrayal, anger, social relationships, Napoleon complex, despair, loneliness, mental illness.

Influence

As a book that has been banned more than once in the United States, it was named as one of the most challenging books of the 21st century because of the complex issues it brings up and the portrayal of tragedy where no one but the difficult times are to blame.

Plot

The book revolves around George and Lennie, two itinerant workers, during the 1930s in a place with a symbolic name "Soledad", which stands for the Spanish word "loneliness". The entire story is fit into four days that slowly end up in a tragedy when George kills Lennie. The book also deals with a mental disability, which can be seen in Lennie's portrayal of schizophrenia. This complex mixture of tragedy and the loss in Steinbeck’s book tell the tale of loneliness and the ways how anger and the lack of any hope end up in death, both mental and physical.

Interesting facts

The first version of the book was eaten by Steinbeck’s dog called Max.
The book has been banned in the United States.
The original title was "Something That Happened"
This book has been written in a place, which is now called Monte Sereno, California.
It was adapted into an opera in 1969.
The book drew several dialogues from Steinbeck's own life.
The house where "Of Mice and Men" was written represents a historic landmark today.

Quotes

“A guy needs somebody ― to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick.”
“As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a moment. And sound stopped and movement stopped for much, much more than a moment.”
“Trouble with mice is you always kill 'em. ”
“Just like heaven. Ever’body wants a little piece of lan’. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land. It’s just in their head. They’re all the time talkin’ about it, but it’s jus’ in their head.”
“I ain't got no people. I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain't no good. They don't have no fun. After a long time they get mean. They get wantin' to fight all the time. . . 'Course Lennie's a God damn nuisance most of the time, but you get used to goin' around with a guy an' you can't get rid of him.”

Why is this topic important

In simple terms "Of Mice and Men" tell about life during the Great Depression era and the acts people have done to survive. John Steinbeck did not choose a special setting that would tell a single story, but opted for a different plot where people have made hard decisions for other persons as well. It was a way of survival without compromise or thinking twice. As Steinbeck often said himself, it is not the tragedy itself but a reflection of times and loneliness that drove people insane. It is a reason why this book contains racial remarks and vulgarity exactly the way as it has been back then. It is not an intention to be so, yet a reflection that has been made in a sincere way.

Why should this topic be used

It deals not only with the Great Depression and the tragedy that comes along when a person is lost and confused but also speaks of mental disorders that most people have failed to notice. Through the lens of grief, it reveals the topic of human loneliness and one’s being forced to make a decision that a person thinks to be a better solution. “Of Mice and Men” is the call back to the era of survival of the fittest, which is also applicable to the present times. It is a reason why it is still taught at school and used as an essay topic choice.

What is Steinbeck saying about loneliness?

Candy, Crooks, and Curley represent three stages of loneliness, according to the book as Steinbeck has put it. One of them is getting old, the other one is being unable to show one’s beauty, and the last one is the loneliness of being ignored and misunderstood.

References

1. Marsden, J.L. (1995). California Dreamin’ The Significance of “A Coupla Acres” in Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Western American Literature 29(4), 291-297. (https://muse.jhu.edu/article/533081)
2. Spilka, M. (1974). OF GEORGE AND LENNIE AND CURLEY’S WIFE: SWEET VIOLENCE IN STEINBECK’S EDEN. Modern Fiction Studies, 20(2), 169–179. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/26279931)
3. Tallmon, D. A., Jules, E. S., Radke, N. J., & Mills, L. S. (2003). Of mice and men and trillium: cascading effects of forest fragmentation. Ecological Applications, 13(5), 1193-1203. (https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/02-5111)
4. Monica Brady (2014) On Being (and Not Being) Mrs Curley’s Wife, Changing English, 21:4, 334-347. (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1358684X.2014.969002)
5. Benson, J.J. (1984). Through a Political Glass, Darkly: The Example of John Steinbeck. Studies in American Fiction 12(1), 45-59. (https://muse.jhu.edu/article/440764)
6. Cerce, D. (2006). The Perception of John Steinbeck's Work in Slovenia. Steinbeck Review, 3(2), 63-78. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1754-6087.2006.tb00081.x)
7. Clark, S. (1984). Of Mice, Men, and Supermen: The Copyrightability of Graphic and Literary Characters. Louis ULJ, 28, 959. (https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/stlulj28&div=48&id=&page=)
8. Hale, P. J. (2010). Of mice and men: Evolution and the socialist utopia. William Morris, HG Wells, and George Bernard Shaw. Journal of the History of Biology, 43, 17-66. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10739-009-9177-0)

Essays on Of Mice and Men

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Essays on Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men Essay Topic Examples

Of Mice and Men Essay Topic Examples

Argumentative Essays

Compare and Contrast Essays

Descriptive Essays

Persuasive Essays

Narrative Essays

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