The title of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men foreshadows the tragic events of the novel. Steinbeck derived the title from the poem “To a Mouse” by Scottish poet Robert Burns. In the poem, a mouse carefully builds itself a nest in a field so that it will be protected from the frigid winter when it comes. Unfortunately, a farmer plows through the field, wrecking the nest and leaving the mouse exposed to the elements. Burns then comments:
The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy!
In simple English, Burns is saying that our plans often go very wrong, even when we work hard to make sure they succeed. Understanding this, one can easily see how the title foreshadows the events of the novel. Throughout the story, Lennie and George wish and plan to have a farm of their own. Unfortunately, despite their hard work, their plans are crushed. The title Of Mice and Men truly encapsulates the theme of the story.
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