"Of Mice and Men," a novella by John Steinbeck, is a tale of friendship, dreams, and harsh realities set against the backdrop of the Great Depression. Two drifters, George Milton and Lennie Small, dream of owning a ranch someday. George is small and resourceful, while Lennie, a giant with the mind of a child, has an affinity for petting soft objects, a trait that leads to dire consequences. The title, "Of Mice and Men," is inspired by a Robert Burns poem that reflects on how even the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. This foreshadows the tragic end of George and Lennie's dream, symbolic of the collapse of the American Dream many chased during the Great Depression. The novella has been both commended for its exploration of themes like friendship, isolation, and the pursuit of dreams, and criticized for its raw portrayal of societal realities. The controversy has led to it being both revered as a classic and banned from certain schools. Despite the controversy, "Of Mice and Men" continues to be a significant literary work, offering a poignant reflection of the human condition and the fine line between dreams and despair.