The Struggles to Find Happiness in Of Mice and Men

The Struggles to Find Happiness in Of Mice and Men

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify and analyze the struggles faced by the characters in Of Mice and Men in their pursuit of happiness.

What do you already know about the struggles to find happiness in Of Mice and Men?

Slide 1: Introduction to Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men is a novella written by John Steinbeck, set during the Great Depression. It explores the lives of migrant workers George Milton and Lennie Small as they dream of a better future.

Slide 2: The American Dream

The American Dream is a central theme in Of Mice and Men. It represents the characters' desire for a better life, filled with happiness, security, and success.

Slide 3: Loneliness and Isolation

Loneliness and isolation are major struggles faced by the characters. George and Lennie, despite their friendship, feel lonely in a world where they don't belong.

Slide 4: Discrimination and Prejudice

Discrimination and prejudice are prevalent in the novella. Characters like Crooks and Curley's wife face societal barriers that hinder their happiness.

Slide 5: Broken Dreams

Many characters in Of Mice and Men have dreams that are ultimately shattered. George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm represents their pursuit of happiness.

Slide 6: Emotional and Physical Challenges

The characters face various emotional and physical challenges, such as Lennie's mental disability and the hardships of their migrant worker lifestyle.

Slide 7: Sacrifices and Moral Dilemmas

The characters often face difficult choices and moral dilemmas. George, in particular, must make a significant sacrifice that affects his own happiness.

Slide 8: Conclusion

Finding true happiness proves to be a constant struggle for the characters in Of Mice and Men. Despite their efforts, external factors and personal limitations hinder their pursuit.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.