Of Mice and Men - Getting started

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• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Of Mice and Men: time to start

Inspiration for the novel

When Steinbeck was a young adult, he spent his summer vacations working as a hired hand on local ranches. 

 His interactions with the people he met during those summers greatly influenced the characters he created throughout his career. 

 In an interview about Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck revealed that all the characters in the novel are composites based on real people. 

Main Characters

 Lennie Small: 

 a nondescript, hulking creature of a man whose childlike mentality continually gets him into scrapes with men who neither respect nor understand him. 

 George Milton: 

 a small, lean man, used to fighting for his place in the world. He oversees and protects Lennie. 

Other important characters

 Slim: a tall skinner (a highly skilled mule-driver) that serves as a counsellor to the ranch hands.

 Candy: The one-handed ranch worker who has lived past his prime.

 Curley’s wife: never named, she is not respected by the men on the ranch.

 Crooks: the African-American stable buck is called Crooks because of a spinal injury inflicted by a kicking horse.

 Curley: the boss’ son, he possesses a jealous, cruel streak.  

Synopsis

Of Mice and Men places the reader in Depression-era California, traveling from job to job with two migrant labourers, George Milton and Lennie Small. 

 The novel explores their friendship, in contrast to the isolation of their peers, and the way dreams can either motivate or unmotivate people. 

 It also addresses a variety of issues, including racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination, that play out against the backdrop of lonely people seeking happiness. 

The world of 1937

What are the three themes of
Of Mice and Men?

Of Mice and Men - Background

You are going to answer nine questions about The World of 1937

Afterwards you should know more about:

The American Dream

The Great Depression

The Dust Bowl

Get started!

Go to "bestanden" > "lesmateriaal"

Open the file: Of Mice and Men Booklet

Use pages 11-18 to answer the questions in this LessonUp

You can also use the Internet

1. What is the American Dream?
Answer in your own words

The American Dream is the ideal of equality, liberty and happiness; through hard work everybody is able to improve their lives and achieve that which they deserve based on their abilities. (e.g. rags to riches).

2. Why is the American Dream so attractive?

1. You don't need to work hard
2. It will be given to you
3. Anyone can achieve it if they work hard
4. Your family needs to be rich

3. Is the American Dream in general truly ‘attainable’ by all people?

1. Yes, working hard makes you rich
2. No, working hard just to survive
3. Yes, fair opportunities for everyone
4. No, only the rich can achieve it

4. What was the Great Depression?
Answer in your own words

A worldwide economic crisis starting in America and taking place during the 1930s (1930-1936), following the economic prosperity of the 1920s. 

The crash of the stock market in 1929 is usually referred to as the inciting incident.

5. What effect did the Great Depression NOT have on the lives of ordinary Americans?

1. They lost their jobs
2. They lost their savings
3. They had to pay more taxes
4. It caused extreme poverty

6. How did the Great Depression NOT change American society?

1. People lost hope in the Americain dream
2. Resulted in subsidizing pensions and aids
3. Government became protector of well-being
4. The government gained more influence

7. What was the Dust Bowl?
Answer in your own words

A period of drought and dust storms; because of the farming practices in the Midwest and lack of rain the land dried out and harvest was minimal. 

The dry soil was easily picked up by the wind, causing clouds and storms of dust. 

8. What effect did the Dust Bowl have on the lives of farmers?

1. Their animals died
2. No rain = hardly any harvest
3. They left towards the West
4. They became sick

9. How did the events of Great Depression and the Dust Bowl challenge the concept of the American Dream?

1. Working hard wasn't enough anymore
2. People needed help from the government
3. People lost their jobs = can't work hard
4. People lost their homes = no safe place/dream

Finishing up

You know:

Why the novel is called Of Mice and Men

The three main themes

Background information on the world of 1937

What now?

You are now ready to read the novel Of Mice and Men

You can find the PDF in Teams and Magister

or you can get the physical book at the Mediatheek

You need to read Chapter 1

Homework

Read Chapter 1 of Of Mice and Men

Answer the questions from Chapter 1 

(PDF: Of Mice and Men Booklet page 25)

Make sure you write the answers down and keep them so they can be checked. 

Good Luck! 

Chapter 1: questions

Write down quotations in full (citaten volledig opschrijven).

Question 1: Read the first two paragraphs

Question 2: Read paragraph 3 and onwards

Question 3: Read page 2 + 3

Question 4: Read the conversation between George and Lennie

Question 5: Answer after reading the Chapter