How does context shape Steinbeck's message in Of Mice and Men?

The context (the setting of place, time, and circumstances) in which Of Mice and Men takes place is that of a self-contained, homogeneous environment of working-class men. A character either belongs or he does not, being marginalized from the rest of the group. Steinbeck’s message concerns what happens to those who do not “fit in”? In that world, they are alienated or even destroyed. The idea of accommodation is not applicable.

Candy, who has lost his hand in an accident, is further ostracized by this dog, who is old, toothless, and smelly. While Candy is not destroyed, his dog (who can be seen as a symbol of those who are weak) is shot in order to “put him out of his misery.” Neither one has a place with the others, because they cannot work in the same manner as they have been doing.

Curley’s wife by the nature of her gender is outside of the group, even though she tries to push in. When she does, she is considered a “tramp” with only sex as the reason for her motive or existence. She is not seen as being on any level of equality in the context of the men.

Lennie proves himself a strong worker, even more than the other ranch hands, but this is not enough for the rest of the men to accept him. Though intellect is not necessarily a quality admired by the ranch hands, his limitations place him to the side. In the end, he is killed by George, much in the same way that Candy’s dog was put out of its misery.

The context thus mirrors a society burdened by the Great Depression, in which, not only do the weak not survive, even some of the strong do not either. In a world that has gone out of control, the ranch hands reflect the desire to somehow have some way to determine who “deserves” to have the few resources left.