1. The Robert Burns Poem: The title directly references a line from Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse," which reads: "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley." This line refers to the fact that even the most carefully crafted plans often go wrong, and the unexpected can easily disrupt life's course. This resonates with the novel's themes of dreams, aspirations, and the harsh realities that often crush them.
2. The Characters' Fates: Both George and Lennie, the two main characters, are like mice in many ways. They are small and vulnerable, easily manipulated by the larger forces around them. They have big dreams, but their fates seem predetermined, leaving them with little control over their lives. Lennie's mental disability and George's limited options make them particularly susceptible to misfortune.
3. The Dream of a Better Life: The title can also be interpreted as a metaphor for the pursuit of a better life. The mice represent the small, fleeting hopes and dreams that often vanish, while the men represent the larger, more ambitious aspirations. The story explores the difficulty of achieving these dreams in a world where circumstances can change in an instant.
4. The Brutality of the World: The title hints at the harsh and unforgiving nature of the world. The mice, often associated with weakness and vulnerability, are often caught in traps or face other dangers. Similarly, men, particularly in the novel's setting of the 1930s Depression-era America, struggle against poverty, prejudice, and violence.
In summary, the title "Of Mice and Men" is a powerful and evocative phrase that encapsulates the novel's themes of:
* The fragility of dreams and hopes
* The unpredictable nature of life
* The struggle for survival and fulfillment in a harsh world
* The contrast between the aspirations of individuals and the realities of their circumstances
The title serves as a constant reminder that both mice and men are subject to the same forces of fate and that their dreams, however grand, can be easily shattered.