Of Mice and Men

By John Steinbeck

In following photograph…. 1). Write on a separate sheet of paper, which you

will hand-in.

2). Identify three (3) words that come to mind when looking at this photo. Value evidence by explaining what you saw in the photo that prompted you to think of these words.

3). Create a one paragraph internal monologue for the woman in the photo.

4). Once you are finished, share with a partner.

Migrant Mother, Nipoma, California, 1936, printed later

Iconic photo that captured the tone and mood of the Great Depression.

Dust Bowl – 1930 – 1936 Combination of drought and severe wind

erosion Displaced many landowners mostly from

Oklahoma (“Okies”) Migrated and worked their way to California

Themes:

1). The American Dream

2). The Predatory Nature of Humans

3). Loneliness and the Need for Companionship (Brotherhood) – Identity and Group/Community

Discussion What does the American Dream look like

today? Who is able to attain today’s American Dream?

Explain how the idea of the predatory nature in humans manifests itself today? Do you agree with this idea? Explain.

How important is the need for companionship for individuals? What solution do you have for those who cannot find companionship?

Chapter 1 (pages 1-16) Indirect Characterization (p. 2-5)

How does Steinbeck demonstrate the theme of companionship (brotherhood) in this chapter?

Do you think George is wrong for saying that he does not want Lennie around? (11)

What did Lennie get in trouble for in Weed?

Chapter 1 (continued) Who do you think is more dedicated to the

other, Lennie or George? (12) >Compare and contrast

What is George and Lennie’s American Dream?

What does George order Lennie to do at the end of Chapter 1?

Chapter 1 (continued) Predictions:

Do you think Lennie will have to follow along with George’s orders about going hiding in the brush?

> As a reader, how confident are you in Lennie’s abilities?

> Foreshadow

Literary Terms From what point of view is this story told?

1st Person – “I” , “We” , “Our” 2nd Person – Dialogue Only 3rd Person:

Omniscient – Narrator knows all events and characters’ feelings and thoughts.

> Behind the ScenesLimited – Narrator only knows a single

character’s feelings and thoughts.

What are some of the conflicts evident in Of Mice and Men?

Man vs. SocietyMan vs. NatureMan vs. HimselfMan vs. Another Man

Literary Terms (continued)

Of Mice and Men

Chapter 2

Literary Terms In what genre is Of Mice and Men written?

A. HistoricalB. Non-FictionC. FantasyD. Fiction

Who is the main protagonist in Of Mice and Men?A. CurleyB. GeorgeC. The BossD. Lennie

Grammar Identify the Part of Speech of the underlined word in

each sentence:

1). “…this Curly punk is gonna get hurt if he messes with

Lennie” (26).A. NounB. AdjectiveC. Verb

2). “You see that glove on his left hand” (27)?A. PrepositionB. VerbC. Adverb

Grammar Identify the Part of Speech of the underlined word

in each sentence:

1). “Lennie dipped his whole head under, hat and all…”(3).A. NounB. AdjectiveC. Verb

2). “His [George’s]anger left him suddenly”A. NounB. VerbC. Adverb

Vocabulary Choose the correct vocabulary word that best

describes the underlined words sentence:

1). My uncle was kind-hearted and spoke so nicely to others.

A. alleviateB. idealizeC. eclecticD. benevolent

Vocabulary (continued)

2). The young girl built up an amazing image of Robert Pattington before realizing his drug

habit.

A. alleviateB. eclecticC. aestheticD. idealize

Chapter 2 (17 – 38) Directly Characterize the following people.

Support your answer with evidence from chapter 2:

The Boss (22-23)Curley (25-26)Candy (24-28)Curley’s Wife (31)Slim (33-36)

Chapter 2 (continued) What does Lennie get all excited about

towards the end of chapter 2?

Symbolism Steinbeck added the dog to the story for a

reason. Do you think the dog is symbol for something? Do you think it stands for one of the motifs?

Of Mice and Men

Chapter 3

Kewpie Doll Lamp….huh? Kewpie Doll

Created by Illustrator Rose O’Neill in 1909 in a dream

Became popular in 1911 Rose led a sad life

Had two divorces, husbands would spend her money gained from illustrations

During the Great Depression, O’Neill lost EVERYTHING

Kewpie Doll Lamp (continued) In cheerleading, this is called a “Kewpie”:

Kewpie Doll Lamp (continued)

Symbolism: represents the wasting away of humanity lack of dreams

“Like a man under the possession of a hypnotist, we would all head to the bar, spend every single cent we had, thereby putting us right back in the captivity of our task-master as we sought enough money to spend more time with the Kewpie, and continue the cycle of our dependence on her spell” (unknown)

Small Group Discussion Break up into groups of no more than three

(3). Designate specific roles:

Recorder and In-Text Citations Manager Textual Supporter Presenter However, ALL are expected to be engaged in their

small group discussion.

Small Group Discussion QuestionsPages 38 – 65 (Chapter 3) 1). How would you characterize Slim at this point? Explain. 2). Do you agree with Carlson’s opinion and actions towards

Candy’s dog, and how does this connect with Paula Span’s article “The New Old Age”.

3). Evaluate the effectiveness of Steinbeck’s ability to illustrate tension within a scene.

4). What is Steinbeck’s view of women and how is it demonstrated in this chapter?

5). Why is Candy so interested in George and Lennie’s American dream, and how does George react to it?

6). What important message does Candy give George in this chapter, and why is it such an important message?

7). Explain why Curley felt the need to pick on Lennie. Be sure to mention how the other characters played a part in it, as well.

Of Mice and Men

Chapter 4

Discussion Questions John Steinbeck Quotes:

“Oppression does not come only from the hands of the strong or the powerful.”

“The most visible kind of strength—that is used to oppress others—is itself born of weakness.”

Explain how these quotes connect to Chapter 4. How would you characterize Crooks, and why do you think

he is this way? So far, who do you believe is the loneliest character, most in

need of companionship? Explain with quotes from the book.

Of Mice and Men

Chapter 5 - End

Discussion Questions1. What is revealed about Curley’s Wife’s American Dream?

2. Which theme do you think Curely’s wife demonstrates more: “the loneliness and the need for companionship” or “the predatory nature of humans?” Explain.

3. Do you believe Lennie is a selfish individual? Explain.

4. Do you believe Lennie is a an individual who is capable of making decisions on his own?

5. After Curley’s wife is killed, Steinbeck writes, “She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young. Now her roughed cheeks and her reddened lips made her seem alive and sleeping very lightly” (93). What is Steinbeck illustrating here?

6. At the end of chapter five, “Candy lay down in the hay and covered his eyes with his arm” (98). What is Steinbeck illustrating here?

7. Why do you think George chooses not to “give Lennie hell,” which is contrary to how he normally would react to Lennie’s setbacks?

8. Do you agree with George’s actions at the end of the book? Why was it necessary/unnecessary? How does it connect to Candy and his dog?

9. Do you think Steinbeck provides his audience with hope at the end of the book?