Of Mice and Men

I started this book during the summer, but never got a chance to finish it because I had to read Jane Eyre for summer reading and do not enjoy having more than one book to read at a time. It seems like a quick read like my last book (it only has 107 pages), but the styles of writing are in drastic contrast to each other. Todd Burpo, the narrator of Heaven is for Real, is a pastor/ garage door salesman and repairman who happened to write a book on an incredible experience of his; John Steinbeck, however, is a renowned author of the 1900s whose books are still relevant today. Steinbeck's passion was writing; Burpo's is his faith in God. Of Mice and Men is a well-written, descriptive and entertaining book. Although I have just gotten over the hill of the exposition, I can tell it will be plot-driven, to which I am not opposed.
This novel is set in the depression era of America, and is based around two main characters: George and Lennie. These characters show sharp contrast to each other both physically and personality-wise. George is a small, dark, chiseled man, and Lennie is quite the opposite. I would say Steinbeck made good choices with the names. The name choices seem to reflect characteristics which allow the reader to make judgments even before getting to know the characters. It is apparent in this story that Lennie may be slightly mentally ill, and George assumes the role of caretaker for Lennie. Lennie is somewhat of a coward and lacks much common sense, and George feels a need to protect his companion in any way possible.
In the first section of this book, Lennie finds a mouse which he accidentally "broke" when trying to express his affection for it. George gets frustrated and throws the mouse far away, but Lennie later goes back to find it. The mouse must be significant to the story because it is in the title, but the symbol has yet to uncover itself for me. All I see in it so far is that Lennie does not understand his own strength, especially towards other living things. He obviously had good in his heart when petting the mouse, but he says he has a history of breaking the little creatures when all he is doing is trying to express his love for them.
I have heard that Of Mice and Men was concocted by Steinbeck to make a statement about the depression and the working class in America, much like his other books (namely, The Grapes of Wrath). I am assuming that this motif will begin to surface itself as I delve deeper into this story.
I am excited to start this new book as I have heard only good things about it, even from people who were forced to read it in English class.