Steinbeck’s novel, "Of Mice and Men," describes the lives of traveling workers during the Great Depression. The story describes a world where only those who are mentally strong, and not necessarily physically strong, can succeed. A lack of emotional toughness has led to the relationships in the book, few as they are, failing. Characters are also unable to succeed financially, without either the intelligence or independence to meet their financial goals. Both of these failings have an effect on the characters psychologically, which prevents them from succeeding in achieving an optimal positive mindset. Throughout "Of Mice and Men," emotional deficiencies inhibit the success of relationships. Candy has had a relationship with his dog for a long time, yet lacks the bravery to prevent its death. Carlson says of the dog “ [It] Got no teeth, damn near blind, can't eat. Candy feeds him milk. He can't chew nothing else." The physical weakness described here is presented as the cause of the dog’s death, yet it is ultimately Candy’s failure to work to maintain his single positive relationship that kills it. Another example of emotional weakness in OMM also comes from Candy, when he states that “When they can me here I wish somebody’d shoot me”. This shows the mental weakness of a man in that he is too scared to try and continue his life without work. The emotional weakness of the characters in the novella prevents them from succeeding. Steinbeck’s novel is set against a backdrop of the Great Depression, which highlights how the financial situation of the characters prevents them from succeeding. All of the goals mentioned in the book require money to be achieved. Curley’s wife speaks of opportunities that she can no longer take, as is shown with “I tell ya I could of went with shows”. As a woman, she is completely financially dependent on her husband, which prevents her from achieving any of her goals, and what she sees