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The book is about mice The book is about mice and men.and men.

Do the mice talk?Do the mice talk?

KKWhat I KNOW

Bloom's: knowledge

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck

Objective

Bloom's: knowledge, analysis, synthesis

1.1. INTRODUCE AND IDENTIFY INTRODUCE AND IDENTIFY THE AUTHOR THE AUTHOR OF OF

OF MICE AND MENOF MICE AND MEN

Meet the Author

Meet the Author of OF MICE AND MEN

John Steinbeck

http://www.ac.wwu.edu/~stephan/Steinbeck/index.html

About the Author

John Steinbeck was born February 27, 1902 in Salinas, California.

While growing up, Steinbeck worked a variety of labor jobs in the Salinas area, which made a lasting impression on him.

Steinbeck attended Stanford University and majored in English, but left after six years without a degree.

In 1929, Steinbeck published his first novel, Cup of Gold. It was not until 1935 that Steinbeck won praise for his novel Tortilla Flats.

Tortilla Flats won the San Francisco Gold Medal of the Commonwealth Club best novel of the year award.

Steinbeck’s mother was a teacher and hisfather was the county treasurer; they encouraged reading and exploring differentcultures.

Steinbeck used his writing to show the plight of the laborers that he observed during this time.

Tortilla Flats is a coastal town in Northern California, just north of Monterey.

About the Author

Of Mice and Men was published in 1937.

In 1939, Steinbeck published The Grapes of Wrath; for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature.

During World War II, Steinbeck worked as a newspaper reporter.

In the 1950s, Steinbeck wrote speeches for presidential candidates.

In 1962 Steinbeck won the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature.

Steinbeck served as an advisor to President Johnson in 1964.

Steinbeck died December 20, 1968.

The Nobel Prize for Literature is awarded each year to an author who has written the most outstanding piece of literary work.

Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men to be read or performed as a play, and was performed in New York 207 times.

Johnson awarded Steinbeck the United States Medal of Freedom.

Comprehension Check

1. Who wrote Of Mice and Men?

a) John Smith b) John Steinbeck c) John Jones

b) John Steinbeck

2. Of Mice and Men was published in

a) 1967 b) 1947 c) 1937

c) 1937

3. Steinbeck wrote speeches for

a) students b) presidential candidates c) his mother

b) presidential candidates

Directions: select the best answer to each questionDirections: select the best answer to each question

Objective

1.1. EXAMINE THE HISTORICAL EXAMINE THE HISTORICAL CONNECTIONSCONNECTIONS


John Steinbeck’s California

Steinbeck loved the Salinas Valley. With its rich agricultural fields, and miles of farm land, it was the ideal place for a young boy to grow up.

The Great Depression of the 1930’s brought hard times for many. For farmers, the best hope for a better life was in California. They packed what possessions they had, and looked for work in the agricultural fields or cities of California. These people are known as migrant workers.

Steinbeck’s inspiration for many of his novels came from the Salinas Valley. Although Steinbeck left the valley throughout his lifetime he always returned.

Today the valley honors it greatest son by hosting a National Steinbeck Center in the heart of the Salinas Valley.

Salinas is Spanish for “salt marsh”.

If you want to learn more about the Great Depression, click on the map below.

The center honors Steinbeck and his great literary achievements.

Historical Background

During the 1930s drastic weather changes turned large areas of the American west into a dust bowl of barren land.

The farmers who were able to keep their farms took advantage of the migrant workers. Working conditions were poor and the pay was low.

The work was seasonal, forcing a lonely life and rarely included family. This issue concerned Steinbeck and most of his novels are about these social issues.

It was not until the 1960s that the migrant farm workers organized under Cesar Chavez and fought for fair wages.

Migrant workers are people who move from place to place. Their pay was $2.50 to $3.00 a day.

Many farmers lost their farms during this time, forcing them to become migrant workers.

Most of Steinbeck's novels are considered social novels that explore the hardships of the farm workers.

Because the time period for Of Mice and Men takes place during The Great Depression, it is important to understand what life was like during this era.

In 1929 the stock market crashed, bringing about the Great Depression.

People lost their jobs. Many people lost their homes and could not afford to buy food.

The homeless created Hoovervilles, communities with homes made from tin.

The stock market is for trading company stock.

Great? Well, not in the sense of being wonderful. Great as in really big and significant.

About 15 million people lost their jobs during the Great Depression. Does this sound familiar?

Historical Background

Comprehension Check

1. Steinbeck’s inspiration for many of his novels came from a) his mother b) the Salinas Valley c) his war

experiences b) the Salinas Valley

2. During the 1930s the American west was turned into a a) land of cowboys b) dust bowl c) large city

b) dust bowl

3. In what year did the stock market crash? a) 1919 b) 1929 c) 1939

b) 1929


The title of the novella was taken from a line in the poem To a Mouse, by Robert Burns. “The best laid schemes o’ mice and men/Gang aft-a-gley.”

This means that no matter how well-planned a project is, something may still go wrong with it.

A novella is longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel; a novella has 20,000 to 50,000 words.

In the mid 1990s the New York Times declared Steinbeck the most popular American writer.

One of Steinbeck’s novels, East of Eden, became the #2 bestselling book in 2003 after Oprah Winfrey added it to her book club.

Burns was a farmer who disturbed a nest of mice while plowing one of his fields.

Who counts all the words?

Did You Know...

Quite remarkable, because the book was # on the bestsellers list when it was published in 1952.

Did You Know?

The Pulitzer Prize, is an American award and is regarded as the highest national honor.

Back then the price of a first class stamp was only 15 cents.

Many of Steinbeck’s characters reflect his days as a blue collar worker.

Before he became a well-known author, Steinbeck worked as a sales clerk, farm laborer, ranch hand, and factory worker.

Besides the Nobel Prize for Literature, Steinbeck won the United States Medal Of Freedom and the Pulitzer Prize.

Notes in the Salinas museum honoring Steinbeck’s achievements read: "Steinbeck's writings were publicly burned in Salinas on two occasions, and at times he did not feel welcome in his own hometown. Yet he ultimately was honored for his achievements”.

The U.S. Postal Service issued a John Steinbeck Commemorative Stamp in 1979.

Comprehension Check

1. A novella has approximately how many words? a) 10, 000 – 25, 000 b) 20,000 – 50,000 c) 25,000 – 55,000

b) 20,000 – 50,000

2. In the 1990s, Steinbeck was declared the most popular American writer by thea) Los Angeles Times b) California Times c) New York Times

c) New York Times

3. The U.S. Postal Service issued a John Steinbeck Commemorative Stamp in ________.a) 1978 b) 1979 c) 1980

b) 1979


Objectives

1. DETERMINE THE NOVEL’S 1. DETERMINE THE NOVEL’S GENREGENRE

2. IDENTIFY THE THEME OF 2. IDENTIFY THE THEME OF OF MICE AND MENOF MICE AND MEN


Genre

Of Mice and Men is a fictional piece of work. In other words, the characters and the story itself is not necessarily based on fact.

The story’s genre, or kind of literature, is considered a tragedy. In a tragedy, the main character suffers great sorrow or is brought to ruin.

A tragedy’s ending is unhappy, yet has a purpose or meaning. There is almost always a lesson to be learned from the events in the story.

John Steinbeck

Of Of

Mice Mice

and and

MenMen

Theme

A theme is the main idea of the story, or the message the author wants the reader to understand. The message is usually about life, society, or human nature.

In Of Mice and Men, there are several themes… broken dreams, friendship, inequality, and loneliness.

Steinbeck often wrote about realistic characters that focus on social issues.

Dreams

Broken

Friendship

Inequality

loneliness

Theme

Broken Dreams:Broken Dreams: Even though their lives are difficult, the characters in Of Mice and Men have dreams. Their dreams make life worth living and makes their unbearable lives, bearable.

Friendship:Friendship: Steinbeck brings two unusual characters together in his novel. An unlikely pair, the main characters are brought together by the loss of family, and the need for work, as well as the need for friendship.

Dreams

Broken

Theme

Inequality:Inequality: Sometimes called a “social conscience novel”, Of Mice and Men focuses on the poor treatment of the migrant farm worker, and the wide prejudice society holds regarding these workers.

LonelinessLoneliness: One of the novel’s major themes, Steinbeck focuses on the many sides of loneliness as he introduces each character and their personal struggle for their place in the world.

Theme

The American Dream:The American Dream: When immigrants first arrived in America, they dreamed of a better life. People came to America to escape abuse, bullying, and/or poverty. They dreamed of making their fortune; but for many the dream became a nightmare. Slavery and the American Civil War, brought slums and a corrupt political system that shattered the hopes of the immigrant.

In 1929 the American dream was thought to have ended with the crash of Wall Street and the start of the Great Depression. But for individuals the dream survived. Thousands moved west to California to escape.

Objectives

1. IDENTIFY THE SETTING IN1. IDENTIFY THE SETTING IN

OF MICE AND MENOF MICE AND MEN

2. IDENTIFY LITERARY 2. IDENTIFY LITERARY DEVICESDEVICES


The Setting

The setting is the time, place, and social environment that surrounds the characters. The setting is recognized by the senses–– what the characters see, hear, feel, etc.

Understanding the setting is important because it often reveals the mood of the story. It can also give the reader hints about what may happen.

Let’s look at the setting of the novel.

The time period is the 1930s near Soledad, California.

Steinbeck describes the countryside with rich sensory details that allow the the reader to visualize the setting.

The Setting

John Steinbeck wasThe story Of Mice and Men takes place on a ranch in Soladad, in the Salinas Valley of central California.

In the 1930s the area was rich in agricultural crops, such as “green gold” or lettuce, sugar beets, and beans. Farm workers piled crops on tractor beds and delivered the crops to nearby packing houses.

Today, the Salinas Valley is still known for its agricultural products and is the third most productive agricultural county in the state producing over two billion dollars in gross sales.

Salinas Salinas ValleyValley

The Setting

John Steinbeck wasThe Great Depression was in full swing during the time period in which Steinbeck sets his novel.

After the crash of the stock market in 1929, thousands of people made their way to California to escape from the farmlands in the Midwest.

In Steinbeck’s novel, the main characters make their way from town to town working as migrant farm workers, dreaming of owning a little house and small piece of land.

Setting

Sections 1, 5 and 6 in the novel take place along Salinas River. The story ends where it begins, bringing the story full circle.

Sections 2 and 4 take place on aranch where the main characters, George and Lennie, find work.

Several events take place in the bunkhouse on the ranch. The bunkhouse is where the reader learns a lot about the characters.

A bunkhouse is a building on a ranch for workers to sleep in. It isn’t very fancy.

Comprehension Check

1. The Story Of Mice and Men takes place on a ranch in Soladad a) Los Angeles b) Soladad c) Sacramento

b) Soladad

2. In the 1930’s the area was rich in a) cattle b) gold c) agricultural crops

c) agricultural crops

3. In Steinbeck’s novel, the main characters make their way from town to town working as migrant

a) tax collectors b) sales men c) farm workersc) farm workers


MetaphorMetaphorMetaphors are a form of figurative language. They are phrases that represent one thing as another or in other words, a symbol.

Metaphors in literature to bring life to the writer’s words. Metaphors are used to help the reader “see” the relationship between two objects or actions.

In Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men, the card game of solitaire that George plays in the bunkhouse.

Solitaire, means alone. It is a metaphor for the loneliness of not only George, but for many of the novel’s characters. It is also a metaphor for George's wish be free of the responsibility of Lennie.

Literary Devices

AllusionsAllusions

An allusion is a reference in literature to a well-known person, event, place, or thing in history.

The title of Steinbeck’s novel is an allusion. Of Mice and Men references the poem written by Robert Burns in 1787 entitled, To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough, where he writes: “The best laid schemes o' mice and men/Gang aft agley [often go wrong]/And leave us nought but grief and pain/For promised joy!”

Literary Devices

ForeshadowingForeshadowing

Foreshadowing hints about what is going to happen in a story.

It isn’t difficult to figure out whatis going to happen in Of Mice and Men. After all, Steinbeck gives hints throughout the entire novella.

While reading the story, there are many hints or clues that will help the reader foretell the story’s end.

Put your detective skills to work; look for these clues while reading the story.

Literary Devices

ClimaxThe moment in a story that determines the outcome.

Rising ActionA series of events or struggles that the protagonist experiences leading to the climax, or turning point in the story.

Introduction (Exposition)Introduces the characters, setting and conflict in a story.

Falling ActionThe event(s) following the climax that lead to the resolution.

ResolutionThe outcome of the story; all the loose ends are resolved.

ClimaxLennie accidentally kills Curley’s wife.

Rising ActionThe confrontation between Curly and Lennie in Section 3.

Introduction (Exposition)Sections 1 and 2 give a rich description of the setting and introduces the characters.

Falling ActionThe men hunt for Lennie while George also looks for him.

ResolutionGeorge’s decision to “save” Lennie.

Objective

1.1. IDENTIFY THE CHARACTERSIDENTIFY THE CHARACTERS

IN THE STORYIN THE STORY


Characters are the people in the story. There are many different kinds of characters Characters are the people in the story. There are many different kinds of characters in a story, just like there are many different people in the world.in a story, just like there are many different people in the world.

A protagonist is a main character who is a “good” person.

An antagonist is a person (or thing)

who works against the

protagonist.

Who’s Who in the Novel

Of Mice and Men

George is one of the main characters in the story and its protagonist. Although not related to Lenny, he is Lenny’s caregiver and traveling companion.

Lennie is one of the other main characters in the story and a protagonist as well. He is a gentle man who although is mentally challenged is a loyal friend to George.

Of Mice and Men

Candy is a swamper, or bunk house hand. He is a lonely, older man who was once a valued farm hand.

Curley is the angry, bullying son of the boss, who constantly picks on Lennie. He is also the story’s antagonist.

Of Mice and Men

Curley’s wife is a young, pretty woman who has made the wrong choice in whom she should marry, and dreams of leaving the farm, and Curley.

As the supervisor of the mule team, Slim is respected by the other characters. He is a kind- hearted man who supports George in his decision to care for Lennie.

Of Mice and Men

Injured when he was young, Crooks, a stable hand, is nicknamed for his physical condition, a crooked back. Because Crooks is black, he is segregated from the other characters.

The boss is Curley’s father and owner of the ranch. He is a straight-forward man who demands that his ranch runs smoothly.

Of Mice and Men

A mean-hearted man, Carlson is cruel and unfeeling. He bullies Candy and Lennie and is a source of conflict in the story.

Whit is a ranch-hand on the ranch.

Of Mice and Men

The best laid schemes o' mice and men/Gang aft agley [often go wrong]/And leave us nought but grief and pain/For promised joy!

- Robert BurnsAlthough she does not directly appear in the novella, Aunt Clara is Lennie’s aunt who has died, but often appears to Lennie’s when he does something wrong.

Comprehension Check

1. George is the story’s a) antagonist b) narrator c) protagonist

c) protagonist

2. Aunt Clara isa) Lennie’s aunt b) George’s aunt c) Steinbeck’s aunta) Lennie’s aunt

3. The antagonist of the story isa) Lennie b) Curley c) Curley’s wife

b) Curley


Bloom's: knowledge, comprehension, analysis, synthesis

Objectives

1. IDENTIFY AND PREPARE FOR 1. IDENTIFY AND PREPARE FOR THE ESSAY PROMPTTHE ESSAY PROMPT

2. READ AND INTERPRET THE 2. READ AND INTERPRET THE NOVELNOVEL

Write Away!

Remember that the background to the story is important. Many migrant workers left their friends and family behind. The only way to stay in touch was by writing letters.

The writing assignment is to pretend that you are one of the characters from the story and write a letter to someone with whom you have lost touch. Who will you write to... a family member or dear friend?

The letter should describe your experiences and observations. Your ideas should come from the story.

Next, design three postcards that your character might purchase and write a message about something personal.

Use quotes from the story in the message.

The pictures on the front of the postcard must relate to the story.

The three postcards should be prepared during different sections of the story.

Section 1

George and Lennie walk along the Salinas River. They stop for a drink at a green pool near the river’s edge. George is a strong, able-bodied man, while Lennie is enormous. Lennie is mentally disabled. He asks George where they are headed.

George sees Lennie’s hands shoved in his pockets. Lennie is hiding a dead mouse he keeps with him as they walk.

Once again, George explains that they are going to work on a ranch. He tells Lennie not to speak, or their new boss will think that Lennie is crazy. George also tells Lennie not to do the things that he did in the last town.

Steinbeck writes like this so we can see how different the two men really are.

Salinas is in central California.

What did Lennie do in the last town to make them leave?

Section 1 continued

Lennie pulls the dead mouse out of his pocket and gives it to George while remembering a kind woman who use to give him mice.

The two men eat beans for dinner. Lennie tells George that he likes his beans with ketchup. Becoming angry, George reminds Lennie how he could do whatever he wanted if it weren’t for him.

Lennie asks George to tell him the story he has heard hundreds of times: “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world”. George explains that someday he and Lennie are going to have enough money to buy a small farm and live off the “fat of the land”.

Before they turn in for the night, George tells Lennie if there is any trouble at the ranch, he is to return to this spot and wait for George to arrive.

The author tells the reader that this woman is Lennie’s Aunt Clara who has died.

What does George tell Lennie he could have if it weren’t for him?

What important theme does this conversation depict? Is the author foreshadowing anything here?

Comprehension Check

1. In the opening of the novel, what river do George and Lennie walk along?

a) Tigris b) Salinas c) Nile b) Salinas

2. What is Lennie hiding in his pocket?a) ketchup b) beans c) a dead mouse

c) a dead mouse

3. When George and Lennie buy their farm, what are they going to live off of?a) ketchup & beans b) the fat of the land c) their inheritance

b) the fat of the land


Section 2 continuedcontinued

George and Lennie arrive at the ranch. They meet Candy, an old man who has lost his hand and works as the bunkhouse swamper.

Knowing they are a day late, George and Lennie give the boss their work slips. Lennie remains silent until he forgets and begins to talk. George lets the boss know that although Lennie may not be too smart, he is strong and works hard.

George tells the boss that Lennie is his cousin, and promised his mother that he would take care of him. Privately, George tells Lennie off for talking.

Candy over hears the private conversation. George admits he lied about Lennie being his cousin, but scolds Candy for listening to their conversation.

A swamper is someone who cleans up, like a house keeper.

During the Depression, the government issued work slips that allowed workers to earn about fifteen dollars (thirty hours at forty eight cents an hour) and then give the opportunity to work to way to other workers.

Why is George afraid to tell the boss the truth about Lennie?

Section 2 continued

Curley, the boss’s rude son, comes into the bunk house looking for his father. Curley picks on Lennie.

Newly married, everyone thinks that Curley’s wife is a tart. George warns Lennie to stay away from Curley.

Shortly after Curley leaves, his wife walks into the bunkhouse flirting, but claims to be looking for her husband. Lennie thinks she is pretty. George warns Lennie, this time, to stay away from Curley’s wife.

Carlson comes into the bunkhouse. Slim’s dog had a litter of puppies; but because their mother could not feed so many Slim drowns four of them. Carlson dislikes Candy's dog, and suggests that Candy shoot it and take one of Slim’s new pups.

Why does Curley choose Lennie to pick on?

As the only female in the novel, Steinbeck does not even give her a name. Why do you suppose he did this?

This event helps to foreshadow coming events in the story. What might this be foreshadowing?

Comprehension Check

1. Who is the first person George and Lennie meet at the ranch bunkhouse?

a) Candy b) Curley c) Slim a) Candy

2. Lennie thinks Curley’s wife is a) pretty b) a tart c) too talkativea) pretty

3. What does Carlson think Candy should do to his old dog?a) give it a bath b) give it away c) shoot it

c) shoot it


Section 3

George goes back to the bunkhouse with Slim and gives George a puppy to give to Lennie. Slim finds Lennie and George’s relationship unusual.

George explains how he came to know Lennie and Aunt Clara. George explains that he took Lennie when Aunt Clara died. George tells Slim that he once teased Lennie until he told Lennie to jump in a river. When Lennie jumped, he promised himself to never tease Lennie again.

Feeling comfortable, George tells Slim what happened in the last town, but explains that Lennie has never hurt anyone.

Lennie enters the bunkhouse hiding his new puppy. George warns Lennie that if he is not careful, he might hurt the pup.

This section takes the reader back to one of the book’s themes. What does this say about the quality of friendships during this era?

Imagine coping with a metal illness during this time. Those who suffered were usually locked up in an insane asylum.

Who can blame Lennie? No one can resist a puppy. This is also foreshadowing. Isn’t Steinbeck clever?

Section 3 continued

Candy enters the bunkhouse with his old, smelly dog. Carlson complains about the smell. He tells Candy to shoot the dog and put it out of its misery. Feeling pressured, Candy gives in, and Carlson takes the dog out and shoots it.

George discusses Curley's wife with the other workers while playing cards. They agree that Curley's wife is trouble.

Angry, Curley comes in to the bunkhouse looking for his wife, again. When she is not found, Curley leaves. Lennie comes in; Slim tells him not to play with the puppies anymore.

Lennie asks George to retell the story about the rabbits and the home they plan to buy. Happily, George retells the story about the house they will one day have.

This entire scene foreshadows upcoming events. Discuss what you think might happen next.

What is it about Curley’s wife that the men do not like?

Why is owning a piece of land so important to George?

Section 3 continued

Over hearing the story, Candy tells George he knows of a little farmhouse that is for sale. He offers six hundred dollars toward the house if he can join in.

George figures that if they work hard, they would have enough money to buy the land in a month. Suddenly, all three men realize their dream may come true sooner than they thought. Candy promises to do his share.

Curley comes to the bunkhouse with Whit, Carlson and Slim. As usual, he is upset about his wife, and picks an argument with Slim. Angry, Curley punches Lennie who looks to George for help. George tells Lennie to fight back and Lennie crushes Curley’s hand.

What does this passage symbolize?

Does Curley deserve Lennie’s actions?

What does Steinbeck want the reader to believe at this point in the story?

Comprehension Check

1. What does Slim give George to give to Lennie? a) candy b) a new jacket c) a puppy c) a puppy

2. What does Candy shoot in this section? a) his dog b) his foot c) the bunkhouse walla) his dog

3. Lennie crushesa) the puppy b) Candy’s hand c) Curley’s hand

c) Curley’s hand


Section 4

Lennie shows up at Crooks’ door, trying to make friends. Angered by his sudden appearance, Crooks yells at Lennie telling him he has no right to disturb him. Lennie turns to leave, but Crooks asks Lennie to stay.

Everyone but Crooks, Candy, and Lennie leave for town. Lennie and Crooks talk, but neither is really paying attention to one another.

Curious, Crooks asks Lennie what he would do if George left him or is hurt. Frighten by the comment, Lennie becomes angry. Crooks tries to explain that he wasn’t really talking about George, he was really talking about himself.

Why is Crook’s so angry about Lennie’s sudden appearance?

Why is Crooks really upset with Lennie showing up at his door?

Lennie can’t possibly understand what Crooks was talking about, but it certainly frightens him.

Section 4 continued

Lennie tells the stable hand about the dream of owning land. Candy comes in, and Crooks tells Candy how ridiculous their plan is. Candy explains just how close they really are. Crooks offers to help them out if he can be included.

Curley's wife comes looking for Curley. She tells them that she knows Curley didn't get his hand caught in a machine. Candy calls her a floozy and that she is not wanted around there. Crooks tells her to leave; she calls him a insulting name and how she could get him lynched rather easily.

George returns to the farm and finds Lennie in Crooks’s room. George scolds Lennie for telling Crooks about their plan to buy a house.

Why does Crooks really think the dream is crazy?

Why does Curley’s wife treat Crooks so rudely?

George is angry, but why does he really scold Lennie?

Comprehension Check

1. Lennie shows up at whose door? a) Candy’s b) Crooks c) Curley’s b) Crooks

2. Who offers to help George, Lennie and Candy buy their land if he can be included? a) Slim b) Crooks c) Curley

b) Crooks

3. How does Curley’s wife treat Crooks?a) with respect b) with kindness c) rudely

c) rudely


Section 5

While in the barn playing with his new puppy, Lennie accidentally kills it.

Lennie decides to tell George that the puppy was dead when he came into the barn, but knows that George won’t believe him. Lennie is angry at the puppy for dying, thinking George will not allow him to tend rabbits on their land.

Curley's wife enters the barn. Lennie tells her that George does not want him to talk to her. She tells Lennie that she knows that he was the one who crushed Curley's hand. She shares how lonely she is. She also admits that she doesn't like Curley very much and wishes that she could be a movie star.

This entire scene also foreshadows upcoming events and begins to highlight another theme.

What is it with Lennie and those rabbits?

Look how Steinbeck gives us insight into the heart of Curley’s wife; even if it is for only a moment. Which theme does this scene address?

Dreams

Broken

Section 5 continued

Curley’s wife continues talking to Lennie. He tells her that he likes to pet soft things. She says her hair is as soft as velvet and lets Lennie touch it, but he messes it up.

She becomes frightened and screams.

Scared, Lennie covers her mouth. She struggles, and in his effort to keep her quiet, Lennie breaks her neck. Knowing he has done a bad thing, Lennie covers her body with hay and leaves the barn with the dead puppy.

Candy comes to the barn looking for Lennie and finds Curley's wife. He finds George and shows him the body. George tells Candy to find Lennie and lock him up.

Candy warns George that Curley will have Lennie lynched if he does not get Lennie away.

This is the climax of the story. Did you expect it?

What is Steinbeck trying to show us about these two characters in the passage?

Stop a minute and discuss with the class what you think might happen next. What are George’s options?

Section 5 continued

George tells Candy to go to the bunkhouse and tell the men that Curley’s wife is dead. George will act like he doesn’t know anything.

The men go to the barn. Curley instantly blames Lennie for the murder. George says that they will look for Lennie and lock him up.

Slim tells George that no matter what has really happened, Curley will want to kill Lennie.

Carlson tells the men that his gun is missing. Curley grabs his shotgun and rounds up the men.

George begs Curley to leave Lennie alone, but Curley is too upset to listen to what George has to say.

All of this is leading to the resolution of the story. Can you predict what might happen?

Is Slim right?

Now who do you suppose took Carlson’s gun?

Comprehension Check

1. While in the barn playing with his new puppy, Lennie accidentally a) losses it b) hides it c) kills it c) kills it2. Lennie also accidentally kills

a) Candy b) Crooks c) Curley’s wife c) Curley’s wife

3. Who does Curley instantly blame for his wife’s death?a) Candy b) Crooks c) Lennie

c) Lennie


Chapter 6

Lennie talks to himself repeating that he didn't forget George's instructions to go hide by the river. He tells himself that he should find a cave live there, alone.

A woman with thick glasses, wearing an apron, appears to Lennie. This vision of Aunt Clara scolds Lennie for getting George into so much trouble.

Lennie cries, and asks his aunt to forgive him. He promises to go off into the hills, away from George.

Next, Lennie imagines a huge rabbit. It also scolds him and tells him that he could never be trusted to take care of rabbits.

If you don’t remember where that is go back to section 1 and it will tell you.

Is living by himself a possibility for Lennie?

Why is Lennie having hallucinations?

Chapter 6 continued

When George finds Lennie in the brush, Lennie confesses that he has done a bad thing.

George tries to calm Lennie by repeating his speech about how they are different from other men, because they have each other.

Remorsefully, George tells Lennie to take off his hat. George begins to tell Lennie about their dream of owning a home.

As George speaks, he takes out Carlson's missing gun. Knowing that Lennie would be tortured by Curley and the men from the bunkhouse, George shoots Lennie in the back of the head.

Curley and the other men hear the gun shot and find George kneeling over Lennie’s dead body.

Slim tries to comfort George by saying: “Never you mind. A guys got to sometimes".

George really understands Lennie. In spite of their differences they are truly friends.

Why does George tell Lennie to take off his hat?

Unexpected? Not really. If you go back to other sections of the novella, Steinbeck continually foreshadows this final event.

Dreams

Broken

Comprehension Check

1. Who does Lennie imagine he sees as he is hiding in the brush? a) George b) Curley c) Aunt Clara c) Aunt Clara

2. The second hallucination Lennie has is of a) a rabbit b) Candy c) Curley’s wife

a) a rabbit

3. Who shoot Lennie at the end of the novella?a) Carlson b) Curley c) George

c) George


Bloom's: knowledge, comprehension, analysis, synthesis

Objective

1. DEMONSTRATE AND APPLY 1. DEMONSTRATE AND APPLY KNOWLEDGEKNOWLEDGE

KKWhat I KNOW


LLWhat I LEARNED




Men. Now that you finished reading the story, identify what you learned in

the LL column.

The story is about The story is about mice and men.mice and men.

Do the mice talk?Do the mice talk?

K W L

A man’s dreams do A man’s dreams do not always come not always come true as planned. true as planned.

KKWhat I KNOW


LLWhat I LEARNED




Men. Now that you finished reading the story, identify what you learned in

the LL column.

K W L

Write Away!

Next, design three postcards that your character might purchase and write a message about something personal.



The three postcards should be prepared during different sections of the story.

Remember that the background to the story is important. Many migrant workers left their friends and family behind. The only way to stay in touch was by writing letters.

The writing assignment is to pretend that you are one of the characters from the story and write a letter to someone with whom you have lost touch. Who will you write to... a family member or dear friend?

The letter should describe your experiences and observations. Your ideas should come from the story.

Directions: Pretend that you are one of the characters from the story and write a letter to someone with who you have lost touch. Who will you write to... a family member or dear friend? Describe your experiences and observations. These elements must come from what you have read in the novel. The letter should be at least two pages long.

Part 1: The Heading. This includes the address of the person you are writing to, and the date. After the date, skip a line.

Part 2: The Greeting, which always ends with a comma. The greeting may begin with the word "dear" and the person's name or your relationship to that person. Ex. Dear mom,

Part 3: The body or the main text which includes the message you want to write. In a friendly letter, the beginning of any new paragraphs is usually indented.

Part 4: The complimentary close is a short expression of just a few words on a single line and ends in a comma. Indented the complimentary close so it is even with the heading. Skip two for your signature line.

Part 5: The signature line can be typed or printed. Simply put, it is your name. Handwritten signature goes above this line and below the close. The signature line and the handwritten signature are indented to the same column as the close. The signature should be written in blue or black ink. If the letter is informal, you may omit the signature line as long as you sign the letter.

Postscript or P.S.: If you would like to add a comment after your letter is completed, it is called a postscript. Begin your comment with a P.S. and end it with your initials. Skip one line after the signature line to start your postscript.

Here is a template of a friendly or personal letter. The horizontal lines represent lines of type or writing.

_____________________

_____________________

_____________________

_____________________

___________________,

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

_________________,

__________________

P.S. __________________

Heading

Date

Greeting

Body or main text

Postscript

Complimentary Closing

Signature Line

Post Cards

Design three postcards that your character might purchase and write a message about something personal.



The three postcards should be made during different sections of the story.

Dear Mom,

Travels have

taken me to

the beautiful

Salinas Valley

in California.

Slim

Character Chart What actions tell about the character

Identifying Characters inIdentifying Characters in

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

Lennie:

Candy:

Curley:

Curley’s wife:

Slim:

George

Character’s Actions What Actions say about the Character

Identifying Characters in

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

Aunt Clara:

Whit:

Crooks:

Boss:

Carlson:

Directions: Choose 20 words from the story that you do not know, look up their definitions and record them below.

1. juncture 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

DefinitionVocabulary Word Pg. #

A place where two things come together.1

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Pg. # DefinitionVocabulary Word Pg.#

juncturejuncture

Definition

A juncture is where two things come together.

Syn

on

ymS

yno

nym

Antonym

cro

ssro

adju

nctio

n

disconnection

Directions: Create flash cards that include the word’s definition as well as two synonyms and one antonym.

Definition

Syn

on

ymS

yno

nym

Antonym

Vocabulary Word

Directions: Create flash cards that include the word’s definition as well as two synonyms and one antonym.

Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez was born March 31, 1927 near Yuma, Arizona. Hewas named after his grandfather who escaped from slavery on a Mexican ranch. Chavez' grandparents made their home on one hundred acres in the Gila Valley, Arizona where they raised fourteen children. In 1924, Chavez' father, Librado, started hisfamily here. Librado worked on the family ranch and owned a store in the Gila Valley. The family lived above the store.

When the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, Chavez’ family lost the store; they moved to the family ranch. In 1937 a major drought forced the family to leave the family ranch in Arizona; they left for California to search for work. In California, they became part of the migrant workers, moving from farm to farm to pick vegetables and fruits.

Chavez struggled in school because his family spoke only Spanish. He dropped out of school after the eighth grade and worked full time in the fields.

In 1944, Chavez joined the navy and served during World War II. When he returned from duty, he went back to California, married, and worked in the fields. This time, he fought for better working conditions and pay for migrant workers.

Cesar Chavez

Chavez joined the Community Service Organization; he traveled throughout California and encouraged the Mexican-Americans to register to vote and spokeoften to support migrant workers’ rights. Later, Chavez started the United Farm Workers Association (UFWA).

In 1965, Chavez, with the NFWA, led a strike of grape-pickers in California to demandhigher wages. During this time, Chavez encouraged Americans to boycott grapes. The strike lasted five years.

In 1968, Chavez started to fast in order to bring attention to the plight of the migrantworkers, which increased public awareness of the working conditions and low pay for migrant workers. During the 1970s the United Food Workers UFW) gained the right to represent and organize the field workers. It was in the 1980s that Chavez led a boycott in protest of toxic pesticides on grapes. He fasted this time as well in order to gain the public’s attention.

It is through Chavez’ hard work and efforts that migrant worker have better wages and working conditions. Chavez died in 1993.

The countries hit hardest by the depression were those that were most deeply in debt to

the United States. Unemployment in Europe rose sharply, by early 1932 it reached six

million workers. During this time, Franklin D. Roosevelt in became the new president.

Roosevelt introduced major changes in the organization of the American economy which

helped the United States recover from the depression. However, it was not until the

outbreak of World War II when American factories met the demands of oversea orders for

materials needed to fight the war. The depression ended soon after the United States

joined the fighting in World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

The Great Depression began in the United States, but

affected the entire world. Because of World War I, the

European economy was weakened; the United States

loaned postwar Europe money to help rebuild. Once the

American economy weakened, the flow of American

investments to Europe dried up creating a worldwide

rippling effect.

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