THE LITERARY ANALYSIS OF JOHN STEINBECK'S NOVEL OF MICE AND MEN

This research article provides a comprehensive literary analysis of John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men (1937), exploring its thematic structure, character development, symbolic framework, stylistic features, and socio-historical context. Steinbeck’s realistic portrayal of itinerant workers during the Great Depression reveals complex issues such as loneliness, broken dreams, marginalization, and the fragility of human relationships. The study applies descriptive, analytical, and comparative literary methodologies supported by scholarly sources (Benson, 1984; Lisca, 1997; Meyer, 2011). Through close reading, contextual examination, and character-based interpretation, this article aims to show how Steinbeck employs narrative technique and symbolism to construct a tragic yet humanistic vision of life. The findings demonstrate that Steinbeck’s use of symbolism, foreshadowing, and naturalistic elements deepens the psychological and social dimensions of the novella..