Why 'Of Mice and Men'

I believe that Steinbeck called the book Of Mice and Men because because he is trying to express the idea that things can happen that you are not expecting, and you have nothing left. He is also saying that no matter how hard you work everything can be taken from you. In the poem To a Mouse a mouse has worked very hard to be able to last through the winter, and a farmer accidentally ploughs over the mouse's nest and all his work is ruined, also, because winter has come there is nothing the mouse can do to rebuild his nest because there are no twigs around and everything is frozen. In Of Mice and Men Lennie and George have been working hard their entire life to get enough money to fulfill their dream. Then Lennie accidentally kills curly's wife and they will no longer be able to work and get enough money. On top of that, George feels that it is necessary that he kills Lennie so that he/they won't get into any ore trouble. In both the book and thee poem very similar difficulties come up, and the effects are life altering.
I think by using "Of Mice and Men" as the title of the book Steinbeck is trying to say that there are traumas in every persons life and no life is an easy one; however, the people/creatures who are 'at the bottom' or are less fortunate are often effected in a more horrific way.
An example: Last year in Haiti there was a devastating earthquake (8.9), and this year there was an earthquake in Japan (8.9 and a tsunami was triggered). The earthquakes were the same size; however the one in Japan also caused a tsunami which made it 'worse'. The effects of the two earthquakes were very different though because Japan is a 1st world country and Haiti is a 3rd world country. Because the economy is not as strong in Haiti the infrastructure wasn't too strong either and building crumbled on top of people. However, in Japan buildings were built properly, and less collapsed. That is one example of how people of a lower class are effected in a harsher way by similar conflicts.

Alternate Ending to Of Mice and Men

          Lennie sat in the dirt beside the pool, "I remembered George, I remembered" he muttered to himself. His arms encircled his legs and he was squished into his smallest possible size. The chirping birds had flown away and all around was complete silence. George silently appeared from around the brush. "Lennie we otta go, th're cumin for ya."
"I didn't do notin wrong Goerge, I promise".
"I know you aint Lennie, but we aint got no choice. Come quietly Lennie".
          George went about making his own path. There was no option other than going across the pool of water. "Lennie?" came George's soothing voice.
"Ya George, Ill do anything for ya, what you need me to do George?"
"I know I made this mistake 'fore, but you gotta trust me."
"I'll do anythin for you George, I aint gunna disappoint you".
"Were gunna have to swim. I know I was mean 'fore, but its for ya own good Lennie. You need to trust me. "All you gotta do is kick. I can pull you mosta da way. You just gotta kick. You just gotta kick. can you repeat that for me Lennie?"
"I just gotta kick. All i gotta do is kick, you'll pull me mosta da way."
          George slipped in, the voices of the other men were nearing. "Cummon in Lennie. Just be quite and hold on, dont forget to kick" he added. Time past and the voices of the other men continued to grow louder. Lennie continued to show of his dog-paddle stroke. "Just keep kickin" was all that was said between the two men. The voices were growing. Lennie's kicks grew weaker. "I aint gunna be able to finish" whined Lennie.
"Do this for me Lennie, do it for me"
          Lennie's kicks sped up rapidly, the edge of the pool was near. The two men began running through the water. Once on land their trudge was slowed by their tired bodies and wet clothing.  The two men fell to the ground behind a tree. Their panting began to slow, as they realized they were free.
          George got up to see where they were. Behind some brush he found a path, and sitting in the middle of the path - a Rabbit.