Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

45 minutes

Part A - Language, Structure and/or form

Part B - context of the novel - how is life in 1930’s America presented in

the novel - WHY

45 minutes

Part A - Language, Structure and/or form

Part B - context of the novel - how is life in 1930’s America presented in

the novel - WHY

The theme of having a ‘dream’ is central to the novel. All the characters appear to have dreams, but none of them come true. Pick one character, explain their dream and why it doesn’t come true.

You must say why you think it is important that the dreams don’t come true.

The theme of having a ‘dream’ is central to the novel. All the characters appear to have dreams, but none of them come true. Pick one character, explain their dream and why it doesn’t come true.

You must say why you think it is important that the dreams don’t come true.

The first time we meet Lennie he has a dead mouse in his pocket (which he has killed). Explain what you think the significance of this is.

Hint: Foreshadowing.

The first time we meet Lennie he has a dead mouse in his pocket (which he has killed). Explain what you think the significance of this is.

Hint: Foreshadowing.

The descriptions of George and Lennie when we meet them for the first time are very important. Explain why you think this is, what the descriptions tell us about the characters and what we might expect from them later in the novel.

The descriptions of George and Lennie when we meet them for the first time are very important. Explain why you think this is, what the descriptions tell us about the characters and what we might expect from them later in the novel.

Explain why you think the shooting of Candy’s dog is significant.

Hint: What might it foreshadow and why?

Explain why you think the shooting of Candy’s dog is significant.

Hint: What might it foreshadow and why?

Lennie is simple, an interesting character and quite often in the novel he is a victim. Can you give an example of when he is a victim and explain how you think Steinbeck wants the reader to react at that point.

Lennie is simple, an interesting character and quite often in the novel he is a victim. Can you give an example of when he is a victim and explain how you think Steinbeck wants the reader to react at that point.

When Lennie can’t have ketchup on his beans he throws a tantrum and he and George argue. Explain what this episode highlights about their relationship and why.

Hint: How does George feel, why does Lennie behave the way he does towards George?

When Lennie can’t have ketchup on his beans he throws a tantrum and he and George argue. Explain what this episode highlights about their relationship and why.

Hint: How does George feel, why does Lennie behave the way he does towards George?

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

In pairs thought shower all the different themes that appear in

Of Mice and Men

Loneliness

One of the saddest points in the novel is when Candy is forced into allowing his dog to be killed, ‘Gawd almighty that dog stinks, get him outta here Candy’, as a reader we understand the connection between Candy and his dog, to him it represents comfort and family. When Candy is ordered to’get him outta here’ it suggests that Candy is dominated by the others and he is forced to do what they want. Furthermore, as a reader we can see the connection between Candy and the dog, each one a representation of the other. The death of Candy’s dog perhaps acts as a reminder to Candy that he could be useless once he has passed a certain age. As someone who is disfigured, he may feel that when he starts to become a problem he too will suffer the same fate as the dog.

As a reader we feel/think/can see

Furthermore we are shown

The use of the word/phrase…

The inclusion of this at the end/middle/beginning of the novel is….

The short/long sentence

Overall…..

Steinbeck wants us to feel/think/imagine

It could be said that when George plays solitaire (a card game you play on your own) it is a metaphor for loneliness. Loneliness is a key theme in the novel; can you think of something else which is used to represent the theme of loneliness and explain how Steinbeck does so.

It could be said that when George plays solitaire (a card game you play on your own) it is a metaphor for loneliness. Loneliness is a key theme in the novel; can you think of something else which is used to represent the theme of loneliness and explain how Steinbeck does so.

Explain what you think the reason(s) might be for George being very defensive when he meets the boss. Remember he won’t let Lennie speak and doesn’t give very precise details about where they have come from or why they have moved on.

Explain what you think the reason(s) might be for George being very defensive when he meets the boss. Remember he won’t let Lennie speak and doesn’t give very precise details about where they have come from or why they have moved on.

Lennie is connected to animals throughout the novel. He is described as a bear and a terrier. The animals he pets (and kills) are tame and friendly, i.e. puppy and mice. What do you think this contrast might tell us about Lennie’s character?

Hint: What type of animal is a bear, how does it behave, think of words you would use to describe a bear.

Lennie is connected to animals throughout the novel. He is described as a bear and a terrier. The animals he pets (and kills) are tame and friendly, i.e. puppy and mice. What do you think this contrast might tell us about Lennie’s character?

Hint: What type of animal is a bear, how does it behave, think of words you would use to describe a bear.

If you did not know that Lennie is ‘simple’ and you heard about his actions you would think that he was a cold blooded killer who felt nothing for his victims.

How would you explain to an outsider why Lennie should be cared for and not put in prison or killed.

If you did not know that Lennie is ‘simple’ and you heard about his actions you would think that he was a cold blooded killer who felt nothing for his victims.

How would you explain to an outsider why Lennie should be cared for and not put in prison or killed.

George feels trapped, but it is not just because of his relationship with Lennie (although that is a large part of it); can you explain another reason why George might feel trapped.

Hint: What was life like for farm workers due to the economic situation at the time.

George feels trapped, but it is not just because of his relationship with Lennie (although that is a large part of it); can you explain another reason why George might feel trapped.

Hint: What was life like for farm workers due to the economic situation at the time.

Slim is probably the most respected character in the Novel. Explain why you might agree/disagree with this using examples of his behaviour, etc to support your views.

Slim is probably the most respected character in the Novel. Explain why you might agree/disagree with this using examples of his behaviour, etc to support your views.

Names are important, for example ‘candy’ is sweet but Candy’s life is anything but sweet, it’s the opposite – bitter. This makes Candy’s name ironic. Think of another character’s name and explain why you think Steinbeck may have given the character that name.

Names are important, for example ‘candy’ is sweet but Candy’s life is anything but sweet, it’s the opposite – bitter. This makes Candy’s name ironic. Think of another character’s name and explain why you think Steinbeck may have given the character that name.

Apart from George, Lennie or Crooks pick a character and explain why you think he/she is important to the novel.

Include: the role they play, their actions and how they relate to at least one other character.

Apart from George, Lennie or Crooks pick a character and explain why you think he/she is important to the novel.

Include: the role they play, their actions and how they relate to at least one other character.

If you were asked to think of three words to describe Curley which would you choose. Explain each of your choices.

If you were asked to think of three words to describe Curley which would you choose. Explain each of your choices.

Describe what you think it would have been like to live and work the life of a 1930’s farm worker in the US.

Describe what you think it would have been like to live and work the life of a 1930’s farm worker in the US.

Is Lennie’s death inevitable from the beginning the novel? Explain your reasons.

Is Lennie’s death inevitable from the beginning the novel? Explain your reasons.

Issues in 1930s AmericaIssues in 1930s America

Nearly all the men harbour dreams that do not come true.

OMAM shows that for poor migrant workers during the depression, the American Dream became an illusion and a trap.

OMAM suggests that in order for life to be meaningful, it must contain dreams.

Nearly all the men harbour dreams that do not come true.

OMAM shows that for poor migrant workers during the depression, the American Dream became an illusion and a trap.

OMAM suggests that in order for life to be meaningful, it must contain dreams.

In the 1930s there was great poverty. There was little money and not enough jobs for everyone.

In the bleak economic outlook, coming to terms with dreams broken by out-of-control economic forces became a reality nearly everyone in America faced

In the 1930s there was great poverty. There was little money and not enough jobs for everyone.

In the bleak economic outlook, coming to terms with dreams broken by out-of-control economic forces became a reality nearly everyone in America faced

Migrant workers had no friends or family and trravelled alone

Life during the Great Depression was very lonely

Life was very harsh and, out of necessity, people were ruthless

Migrant workers had no friends or family and trravelled alone

Life during the Great Depression was very lonely

Life was very harsh and, out of necessity, people were ruthless

Women were traeted with scorn and fear; they were dismissed as dangerous sexual temptresses.

Women were traeted with scorn and fear; they were dismissed as dangerous sexual temptresses.

Men believed that killing the weak protected them from prolonged suffering

Killing was seen as a mercy, it also meant that to stay alive you had to appear strong

Only the strong survived, the powerless and the weak were doomed

The useless, the old or the weak were inevitably doomed; they were inevitable destroyed as the strong and useful fought for survival.

Men believed that killing the weak protected them from prolonged suffering

Killing was seen as a mercy, it also meant that to stay alive you had to appear strong

Only the strong survived, the powerless and the weak were doomed

The useless, the old or the weak were inevitably doomed; they were inevitable destroyed as the strong and useful fought for survival.