John Steinbeck’s Of Mice And Men

Migrant WorkersBy Zöe Mazepa

Ashley LaneAnna Robbins-

Glidden Alex Fu

History of Migrant Workers

Migrant Workers in the 1930's

-mechanization of farming began

-farms required less workers when using machines

-farmers who owned their farms couldn't afford machines, they went bankrupt

-many people were misplaced, and out of a job

-jobless people had to travel around the country looking for work

The Plight of The Migrant Worker

“I wouldn’t be buckin’ barley for my fifty and found. If I was bright, if I was even a little bit smart, I’d have my own little place, an’ I’d be bringin’ in my own crops, ‘stead of doin’ all the work and not getting what comes up outa the ground.”

Page 39 - George

Migrant Workers of the 1930s

Migrants sought jobs in California

Most migrants were white Americans from the Midwest

Migrant worker lived and worked under poor conditions

Migrant workers were scorned, and eventually the borders of California were closed to incoming farm workers

Migrant Workers of Today

Made up of mostly Mexican and Mexican-Americans

Some migrants live in camps; these camps are much cleaner and less crowded

Migrants of today have a great deal of support from unions, the Government, and human rights advocates

Migrant Workers of Today

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“Course Lennie’s a God damn nuisance most of the time, but you get used to goin’ around with a guy an’ you can’t Get rid of him.” - George pg. 41

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“I don’t want no trouble. Don’t let him sock me George.” - Lennie pg. 24

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“I ain’t a Southern negro. I was born right here in California. My old man had a chicken ranch, about ten acres. The white kids come to play at our place once and sometimes I went to play with them, and some of them was pretty nice. My ol’ man didn’t like that. I never knew ‘till long later why he didn’t like that. But now I know.” - Crooks pg. 70

The End