How Many Sections in Of Mice and Men?
6 sections. Of Mice and Men (1937) runs six unnumbered sections — Steinbeck structured it as a play-novel, with each section a single scene in a single place. At about 29,200 words, that averages 4,867 words per section — roughly 20 minutes of reading each at an average pace, which makes each section a useful planning unit. A manageable pace is about 6 nights at one section a night; at 30 minutes a night, plan on about 5 days. The full reading-time breakdown is at how long it takes to read Of Mice and Men, and the Of Mice and Men quiz tests what stuck.
The structure, sections by sections
Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men as a 'play-novel': six unnumbered sections, each one continuous in time and place, each ending on a curtain-line. The structure is a tightening screw — the bunkhouse, the arrival at the ranch, Crooks's room, the barn — until the final section by the river where the book began. At under 30,000 words it is one long evening's read, but the sections give it natural stopping points, and each one plants the seed of the ending.
The sections divide this work into natural reading sessions. Each lasts about 20 minutes at an average pace; the table below shows how that changes with reading speed.
The sections worth knowing
Not every section earns a place in the argument, but a handful carry the book. These are the ones to watch for:
- 1. The river bank — George and Lennie by the pool — the dream of the farm spoken aloud for the first time.
- 3. The bunkhouse — Candy's dog is shot; the dream suddenly seems fundable. The chapter where hope peaks.
- 5. The barn — Lennie with the puppy and Curley's wife — the accident the whole book walks toward.
- 6. Back to the river — George tells Lennie the dream one last time. The ending every reader knows is coming and dreads anyway.
Reading pace, per section and whole
| Reading pace | Whole book | Average section |
|---|---|---|
| Slow (150 wpm) | 3 hours and 15 minutes | 32 minutes |
| Average (238 wpm) | 2 hours and 3 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Fast (350 wpm) | 1 hour and 23 minutes | 14 minutes |
| Speed reader (450 wpm) | 1 hour and 5 minutes | 11 minutes |
At 30 minutes a night, you can read about 1 section per session and finish in roughly 5 days. Use a natural break rather than stopping mid-section; it is easier to resume when you know where the next unit begins.
Working through the whole shelf? The John Steinbeck books in order guide orders it.
Chapter counts for other classics
— among books measured by sections, Of Mice and Men ranks 1 of 1. Browse all classic book chapter counts. Each count is tied to the text or standard edition, with a reading plan for each unit. When you finish this one, the book quiz settles how much of it stayed.
Frequently asked questions
How many sections are in Of Mice and Men?
Six unnumbered sections — Steinbeck structured it as a play-novel, with each section a single scene in a single place. The full structure and notable sections are explained above.
How long is each section of Of Mice and Men?
The book runs about 29,200 words over 6 sections, so the average is roughly 4,867 words — about 20 minutes of reading at the 238 wpm average. Individual sections vary, of course.
How long does it take to read Of Mice and Men?
About 2 hours and 3 minutes at an average pace, 1 hour and 23 minutes fast, 3 hours and 15 minutes slow. The full breakdown by pace and daily sessions is on this book's reading-time page.
How does Of Mice and Men's chapter count compare?
Only this guide currently counts letters; its 90 numbered letters span the whole novel.
Which sections of Of Mice and Men are most notable?
The river bank (1) and Back to the river (6) frame the sequence; the full list is above.