Of Mice and Men

Today we will focus on Steinbeck’s characterisation

and use of narrative techniques.

5 minutes…

• Top 5 things you can remember about the opening of the story.

• Try and think of things that other people WILL NOT say.

Matching images and sections from the text

• You have got some sections of text and some pictures.

• Match the sections of text with the pictures that you think best fit.

• On a Post-it note, say why you have matched them together – use the examples here to help.

Reading – section 3

• The characters:

• George• Lennie• Slim• Candy• Carlson• The Boss• Curley’s Wife• Curley• Crooks

How would you order these characters to show:

•The most important to the least important?

•The most sympathetic to the least sympathetic?

•The best developed to the least developed?

Section 3 – Of Mice and Men

Important events in section 3• Lennie’s true strength is revealed• We see how much control George has over Lennie – with

George missing, more problems would happen• Curley’s true nature is revealed• The idea of ‘red’ as a theme is developed• Slim’s authority is revealed – even over Curley• We learn the past of Lennie and George• Candy has enough money to make the dream a reality –

George lets him in• The death of the dog = foreshadowing later events, creating

tension, drives Candy to want to join George and Lennie (motivation), we see Candy’s emotions (responsibility), we see some intolerance from the characters.

(Numbers = my order of importance)

Language, Structure, Form

• Get a blank double page and make a box in the centre.

• Write in it The Description of George

• Look at the example – I have commented on how the setting is described. Do the same for the character of George.

• Add evidence from the text to support. Look in chapter 1.

Description of the setting

The mountains are described as strong

The sound of silence is emphasised

The shape and layout of the bunkhouse is described clearly

The peaceful setting is described as if it is heaven

Language, Structure, Form

• Now add another layer to your explanations – what’s the effect of the description?

Physical description of the setting

The mountains are described as strong

The sound of silence is emphasised

The shape and layout of the bunkhouse is described clearly

The peaceful setting is described as if it is heaven

This creates an effect of…

The effect of this language is…

What can we say about the way Steinbeck uses...?

Language• Clearly created

characters – description, speech, the way others respond to them and actions.

• Very simple, but effective language – reflective of the way most people spoke.

• Very vivid and carefully crafted imagery.

Structure Form

Character Tops Trumps

• Use pencil.• On the back, give each character a

rating from 1-10 for the categories (1=weak, 10 super powers).

• Add examples where they are asked for.

• On the front, write some key words or quotes about that character.