John Steinbeck was born in 1902, in California's Salinas Valley, a region that would eventually serve as the setting for Of Mice and Men as well as many of his other works. He studied literature and writing at Stanford University, but disenrolled in 1925, after six years, without a degree. He moved to New York City and worked as a laborer and journalist for five years, until he completed his first novel in 1929, Cup of Gold. Soon …showed first 75 words of 2495 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2495 total…conservative, a man who valued and even clung to the old America” (McWilliams 229,30). As well as loneliness and symbolism which he utilizes so wonderfully in this novel. Of Mice and Men is a great example of Steinbeck’s most exemplary work of his time. This great novel has earned its place as one of the greatest novels of all time. “ beyond a reasonable doubt, most definitely one the finest novels written to date” (Hymen 113-17).