The last and probably only other time I read Of Mice and Men (Penguin Group, 1937) was in high school. So, a long time ago.

I recently listened to this novella by John Steinbeck. I had forgotten how sad it is. It made me wonder why it would have been a classroom assignment. Then I did little research.

On PBS’ American Experiences website Jodie Scales, a high school English in Indiana, said she teaches the book because: “It tackles moral and ethical issues within the structure of a story. The students really relate to the characters. For example, we have a really strong special education program at our school. We have a lot of kids that are very protective of those students that have special needs. I think when they start to read Lenny’s character, they think about some of the kids with special needs in our school—they think about what could happen if they aren’t protected. I’ve never had a student making fun of Lenny.”

All of that makes sense. In these times of such divisiveness I can envision so many teaching aspects within Of Mice and Men. I can’t tell you what I learned way back when, but clearly my English teacher found some relevance for us more than 40 years ago.

Some books are timeless that way. They have relevance no matter the generation reading it.

This is also a book that often finds itself on banned book lists. Partly this has to do with the use of the N-word. While I certainly won’t condone the use of that word, if one takes into consideration when the book was written and the time period the book is set—the Great Depression—then it’s appropriate.

If it’s been a minute since you read Of Mice and Men, I recommend taking another look at it. It’s short, fast, gripping, sweet, sad and so well written.