The Great Depression Literary Analysis Essay

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Pages: 5

John Mulkerin Period 3 ADV English 8 April 2, 2024 Literary Analysis The Great Depression was an ugly thing that ruined the country for 12 grueling years. This event was the worst downturn in the United States economy ever. The stock market lost 90% of its value, over 11,000 bank accounts failed, and the average income of a family dropped 40%. These events led to extreme isolation and separation from society, nothing was in unison anymore and the country was in shambles. These difficult times led to a repeating cycle that made it almost impossible to escape the chains of poverty. Those who were stuck in this everlasting cycle of struggle and toil were incapable of escaping their situation. This led to men, especially, being faced with extreme …show more content…
Let's get that place now.’ ‘Sure, right now. I gotta. We gotta.’ And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie's head” (106). This demonstrates how powerless and desperate those at the bottom of the social pyramid are to escape and how little influence they truly have over their destiny. Their fate is determined by powers bigger than themselves, the companies of the time, and the wealthy. Everyone, except for those who are affected by the poor economy, has influence over their future and control over themselves. George and Lenny lose all hope when their dream of a ranch fails, and they are changed forever. George and Lenny are left with this mentality of “Well, what do we even have left?” This mentality only drives George and Lenny further down into the gaping chasm of hopelessness, poverty, and loneliness that they are trapped in. This illustrates how George and Lenny are left with no hope after their dream fails, and how it can drive one down into the infinite cycle. John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men illustrates how the extreme loneliness, poverty, and hopelessness that one is subject to at the bottom of society in tough times can lead to a cycle of suffering that has no