Of Mice and Men: Social Contexts

Of Mice and Men Social Context: Great Depression

In October 1929 the Great Depression began on Black Tuesday when millions of dollars were wiped out in the event that became known as the Wall Street Crash. It led to a worldwide financial recession with one third of America’s population becoming une

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Of Mice and Men Social Context: Dustbowl

In addition to the financial problems, America also suffered from agricultural damage with a series of droughts in southern mid-western states which led to failed harvests and dried-up land. Farming became impossible and the topsoil became

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Of Mice and Men Social Context: Patriarchal Society

In the 1900’s America, and generally the rest of the world, was dominated by a patriarchal society. This is a societal structure whereby men are the decision makers and hold positions of power and prestige. The ideas of patriarchy is based on family

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Of Mice and Men Social Context: Racism

Racism and ethnic discrimination were a major issue in America in the 1930s, ever since the slavery era. Although slavery had ended under the 13th Amendment after the American Civil War of the 1860s, the Civil Rights Acts did not come in place till 1

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Of Mice and Men Social Context: American Dream

The American Dream is a mythical idea of a land in which life should be better, richer, fuller and with opportunity for each and every person; no matter what your socio-economic status is, each man or woman should be able to achieve the fullest statu

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Of Mice and Men Social Context: Hollywood

America markets itself as the land of the free and home of the brave where everyone has the opportunity to do or become something. One form of this is Hollywood, a performer’s perfect opportunity to fame. The movie industry started in the early 20th

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Of Mice and Men Social Context: Itinerant Labourer

An itinerant labourer is someone who has to move from one ranch to another, to receive work as their job is not permanent. This creates a very unstable life, with no home, poor living conditions and no health care. As a result of this life style, the

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Of Mice and Men Social Context: Cowboy

The figure of the cowboy is quite intimately bound up with America’s own sense of identity as the land of the free and home of the brave, but in the 1930’s the cowboy is a dying breed. His role and function within America was diminishing whereas once

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Of Mice and Men: Social Contexts

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