© Boardworks Ltd 20061 of 141 of 14 © Boardworks Ltd 2006

Of Mice and Men

Section ThreeThese icons indicate that teacher’s notes or useful web addresses are available in the Notes Page.

This icon indicates that the slide contains activities created in Flash. These activities are not editable.

This icon indicates that a worksheet accompanies this slide.

For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.

© Boardworks Ltd 20062 of 14

Complete the plot summary by filling in the blanks.

Plot summary (Section Three)

© Boardworks Ltd 20063 of 14

Vocabulary

© Boardworks Ltd 20064 of 14

Cinematography

Reread the first three pages of the third section. Notice how the writing has an almost cinematic quality. The characters’ movements, the lighting effects and the ‘sounds off’ are recounted with the same level of detail a dramatist might include in a play or film script.

See how many ‘cinematic’ moments you can identify!

© Boardworks Ltd 20065 of 14

Cinematography

What kind of atmosphere is created by these techniques? (Hint: you might want to consider the contrast between the bunk house interior and the game outside, and the way the light plays on different

characters.)

Can you think of any other reasons why Steinbeck might have adopted a cinematic style?

Try rewriting the first two or three pages of this section of the novel as a screenplay. Remember to include stage directions!

© Boardworks Ltd 20066 of 14

Words for Slim

Can you think of some words used to describe Slim?

Godlike

calm

quiet and receptive

invitation to confidence

the light was not on his face gentle

kindly

ageless

majesty

the prince of the ranch

understanding beyond thought

gravity

“Hell of a nice fella”

delicate

Slim’s opinions were law

“Nobody don’t know what Slim can do”

Slim’s eyes were level and unwinking

© Boardworks Ltd 20067 of 14

The role of Slim

Think about the character of Slim.

Slim is generally seen as the moral centre of the novel. Beyond that, however, some critics find him uninteresting. According to this point of view, Slim isn’t a properly rounded character: he’s just a tool used by Steinbeck to tell his readers what their moral stance ought to be.

For instance, we might easily suspect, as the boss does, that George is taking advantage of Lennie in some way. Slim’s acceptance of George’s account of their friendship shows that this is not so.

© Boardworks Ltd 20068 of 14

The author’s stand-in?

A more interesting way of putting this is to say that Slim represents the author. With his ‘calm’, ‘Godlike’, ‘level and unwinking’ eyes he, like the author, sees and knows everything. What Slim thinks can, therefore, be taken as representative of the authorial viewpoint.

© Boardworks Ltd 20069 of 14

Man of mystery?

However, some critics believe it is a mistake to reduce Slim to the role of the author’s moral mouthpiece. Such commentators point to the ambiguities in Slim’s character and argue that he is disturbingly complex.

Which aspects of Slim’s character could be interpreted in both a positive and a negative way?

If we conclude that Slim is flawed, can we still take his word on the moral issues in the novel – or do these issues defy any easy resolution? (There is no right answer!)

© Boardworks Ltd 200610 of 14

Hotseat

© Boardworks Ltd 200611 of 14

Questions

Why do you think Candy finally agrees to have his dog shot? (Hint: there may be more than one reason.)

Why does Candy want to join George and Lennie in their dream of the farm?

What is the significance of Candy saying “I should’ve shot that dog myself” at the moment he does?

Why does Curley agree to say that he caught his hand in a machine?

© Boardworks Ltd 200612 of 14

Revision anagrams

© Boardworks Ltd 200613 of 14

Predictions

We are now halfway through the novel, and have reached the first major narrative climax.

Candy’s offer of financial help has made George and Lennie’s dream of owning their own farm seem possible…

…but Lennie and George have narrowly escaped being sacked after Curley attacked Lennie.

Choose a character and, writing or speaking from that character’s perspective, say what you think will happen next – and why.

© Boardworks Ltd 200614 of 14

Extension work

1. Imagine you are one of the characters in the novel. Write an account of events in the bunk house that evening using the first person narrative voice. Try to imitate the characters’ style of speech!

2. The dialogue in the novel sounds more authentic because it uses a lot of contemporary slang. See if you can track down the meanings of some of the following: whing-ding; looloo; yella-jackets; jail bait; set on the trigger; kewpie doll; goo-goos; handy; can; punk.