Of Mice and Men /Introduction/H5

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Of Mice and Men

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  based on real people. 

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

Of Mice and Men - Background

You are going to do research on the following topics;

Afterwards you should know more about:

• The American Dream
• The Great Depression
• The Dust Bowl

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

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

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

A worldwide economic crisis starting in America and took 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 American 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

Start reading

• Open Of Mice and Men  Reader in Classroom 
• Read Chapter 1 p 1- 18 
• Homework 15th November
• Do assignment 5 & 6 

What was the purpose of Jim Crow laws?

1. legalize racial segregation
2. legalize citizenship

Jim Crow got its name from

1. A Black Minstrel show
2. A Black activist

I know about different aspects of American life in the 1930s

😒🙁😐🙂😃

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