Summary
George Milton and Lennie Small travel together looking for ranch work in California. George is practical and protective, while Lennie has an intellectual disability and does not fully understand his own physical strength. The pair share a dream of owning land, but life on the ranch exposes loneliness, prejudice and fragile hopes. When Lennie accidentally causes a fatal tragedy, George is forced into a devastating decision.
Key ideas
Friendship
George and Lennie’s companionship stands out in a world where many characters are profoundly isolated.
The American Dream
The dream of independence gives the men hope, but economic and social realities repeatedly undermine it.
Power and vulnerability
Physical strength, race, gender, disability and social status all shape who has power and who is exposed.
Loneliness
Nearly every major character seeks connection, suggesting isolation is one of the novel’s central pressures.
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