The Elusive Pursuit of Happiness in Of Mice and Men

The Elusive Pursuit of Happiness in Of Mice and Men

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will understand how the main themes in Of Mice and Men highlight the unattainability of happiness for most characters.

What do you already know about the themes in Of Mice and Men?

Introduction to Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men is a novel written by John Steinbeck, set during the Great Depression in the 1930s. It explores the lives of migrant workers George and Lennie who dream of owning their own land.

Theme 1: Loneliness and Isolation

Loneliness and isolation are prevalent themes in Of Mice and Men. Characters like Crooks, Candy, and Curley's wife experience deep loneliness, contributing to their unhappiness.

Theme 2: Dreams and Broken Hopes

Dreams and broken hopes are central to the novel. George and Lennie's dream of owning a farm represents the pursuit of happiness, but it remains unattainable for most characters.

Theme 3: Discrimination and Injustice

Discrimination and injustice are pervasive in Of Mice and Men. Characters like Crooks and Curley's wife face discrimination due to their race and gender, hindering their chances of happiness.

Theme 4: The Cycle of Violence

The cycle of violence is a recurring theme in the novel. Characters like Curley and Carlson resort to aggression and violence, perpetuating a cycle that prevents genuine happiness.

Conclusion

Through the exploration of themes such as loneliness, broken dreams, discrimination, and violence, Steinbeck effectively conveys the unattainability of happiness for most characters in Of Mice and Men.

Discussion and Reflection

Engage in a class discussion about the themes and their impact on the characters' pursuit of happiness. Encourage students to reflect on how these themes resonate with their own lives.

Assignment

As an assignment, write a short essay analyzing how the themes in Of Mice and Men contribute to the portrayal of the unattainability of happiness for most characters. Support your ideas with evidence from the text.

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.