Examine The Nature of Prejudice in ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘The Withered Arm’ John Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California. ‘Of Mice and Men’ is also set in Salinas, California, USA, during the depression of America. This was a time of unemployment and economic decline. During the American depression over 3 million people were unemployed. Because of this many workers migrated in order to find work, as work was rare. During the 1930’s (the time in which this novel is set) women were also treated as second class citizens. Women were dependent upon men for economic support and in return were e