The document provides background notes on John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, which was set during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It summarizes the economic and social conditions of the time period, including widespread unemployment, poverty, and migration of workers between farms. It also gives context about Steinbeck's life and inspiration for writing the novel based on his own experiences working on farms during the 1920s and 1930s. Finally, it discusses some of the major themes in Of Mice and Men such as friendship, loneliness, and the American Dream.