In John Steinbeck's novel "Of Mice and Men," the context of the 1930s is used to illustrate the social hierarchy and power dynamics of the time. The novel is set during the Great Depression, a time of economic hardship and social upheaval. The characters in the novel are all struggling to survive in a world where discrimination, racism, and sexism are rampant. The characters are divided into two distinct social classes: the powerful and the powerless. The powerful characters, such as the ranch owner, are able to take advantage of the powerless characters, such as the migrant workers. This power imbalance is further highlighted by the fact that the migrant workers are often discriminated against due to their race or gender. The novel also shows how the powerful characters use their power to manipulate and control the powerless characters, such as when the ranch owner threatens to fire the workers if they don't do as he says. By illustrating the power dynamics of the 1930s, Steinbeck's novel serves as a powerful reminder of the social injustices of the time.