Question

How does Steinbeck use Lennie’s experience to convey ideas about America in the 1930s?

(a) By highlighting the economic prosperity of the time
(b) Through Lennie's struggles, illustrating the challenges of the Great Depression
(c) Emphasizing the cultural diversity of the era
(d) Portraying a utopian vision of American society

Answer 1

John Steinbeck uses Lennie's struggles in 'Of Mice and Men' to illustrate the hardships of the Great Depression, underlining the importance of community over individualism in America during the 1930s.

Step-by-step explanation:

John Steinbeck uses the character of Lennie Small in Of Mice and Men to reflect the broader societal conditions of America during the 1930s, particularly through Lennie's struggles. This literary choice illustrates the challenges of the Great Depression. The disparity between the American Dream and reality is underscored through Lennie's simplicity and vulnerability, which parallel the experiences of many during a time of economic hardship and limited social support systems. The novella portrays not the prosperity but the stark adversity faced by individuals, which stands in contrast to the rugged individualism and material success that characterized the American ethos of the previous decade. Steinbeck also reflects the changing values and culture, highlighting the shift towards community efforts and pooled resources as a survival strategy in the face of overwhelming individual adversity.