Of Mice and Men is a small book written by John Steinbeck in 1937. It is a story of George and Lennie, who move from place to place in California in search of jobs during the Great Depression in the U.S. George is a small quick man. He is Lennie’s guardian and best friend. Lennie is mentally disabled but physically strong man.
Mentally Disabled: A mental or physical disability, such as cerebral palsy or mental retardation, that is present during childhood, interferes with normal physical, intellectual, or emotional development, and usually lasts throughout life.
Lennie was lucky during that time because he had George to look after him. Otherwise, he would be like others in that time with Mental Disorders.
In the 1930, people did not know much about Mentally Disabled; therefore, they did not know how to help that kind the illness people like Lennie. The government just put them in a room and let them wear the clothes where you can’t put your hands out.
In the story, Lennie and George had to leave the place when they worked. Since Lennie touched a girl’s dress, they had to run away. He did not mean to do that; he just wanted to feel the soft dress. Because of the mental problem, Lennie just acted like a little kid who loves to pet the feather.
The treatment of the mentally challenged during Great Depression
After I finished reading the story, I know the government is doing better at treating the mentally disabled than back in the time Of Mice and Men. For today, mentally disabled can go to school and work. The government helps them form many ways.
chapin502 • Mar 2, 2017 at 2:14 pm
We need to act like a real humans. The people who has mental disability need our help. For example, if they can not do something that they want to do. we can do it for them. we all have to help each other to have a better communication.