Of Mice and Men

YEAR 11 ENGLISH

Novel Summary“Of Mice and Men “ by John Steinbeck is a novella, first published in 1937, set in the California valley along the Salinas River. The story begins with the two main characters, George Milton, and his friend Lennie Small, on their way to jobs at a ranch. The reader learns very quickly that these men have a unique relationship, with George taking on the role as carer for Lennie due to the fact he has mild retardation. As the plot unfolds we learn the background story to these men, their hopes and dreams for the future and we learn of their struggle to survive in an unforgiving society.

Characters

George Lennie Slim Candy

Crooks Curley Curley’s Wife

Carlson

ThemesThe American Dream• A little bit of land, their own crops and animals – George

and Lennie dream of independence. Many of the men criticise this dream; however, when asked to join in, many jump at the chance.

Friendship• What Lennie and George have is unique most of the men

in the story live lonely lives, trusting nobody; however, Steinbeck shows us that what they have is valuable.

The Harsh Realities of Life• Descriptions of the Bunkhouse• Lennie’s treatment by society

Literary Techniques and Devices

Foreshadowing• The misunderstanding in Weed• Lennie uncertain of his strength• Candy and his Dog

Dialogue• It is through conversation that we learn about the

characters ,the action, and the setting.

Imagery• Descriptions of nature• Descriptions of the characters and their

personalities.

Writing an Analytical Essay

•Develop an argument that shows your understanding of text and the way it was created.

Knowledge and Understanding

•develop a point of view, connecting ideas from the text to your essay question.Analysis

•support that view through close textual references and analysis Application

•Write a well planned and well structure essay that answer the essay question.Communication

Writing an Analytical Essay

QUESTION

• Essay titles come in two types, the specific and the general.

• Write your selected question or thesis statement at the start of your essay

INTRODUCTION• Say how you intend to approach the question,

define terms, outline the points you intend to elaborate on in the order you plan to tackle them

MAIN BODY• take each point you have outlined in the

introduction and discuss it using evidence from the text and quotes as support.

CONCLUSION• This single paragraph pulls together the parts of

your argument in a summary, do not include new information here

Writing an Analytical Essay

STAGE 1

Analyse the question. Define key terms and ideas and rewrite these in your own words to ensure that you understand.

STAGE 2

Outline, in point form, the main ideas for each paragraph. This means your introduction, main body and conclusion

STAGE 3

Begin writing. Ensure that each paragraph has a topic sentence, clear argument and that this is supported with evidence.

STAGE 4

Proof read your essay and let it sit for a while – you may find errors later. Submit it for drafting prior to the due date.

Analytical EssayStudents complete an analytical essay on one of the questions below:

In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, how does the author use contrasting characters to explore ideas?

What are the central themes of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and how are these portrayed in the text?

In Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, how does the author use contrasting characters to explore ideas?

George

Lennie

Slim

Curley

Carlson

Candy

Crooks

Curley’s Wife

What are the central themes in Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and how are these portrayed in the text?

•'we'll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. And when it rainsin the winter, we'll just say the hell with goin' to work, and we'll build up a fire in the stove and set around it

an' listen to the raincomin' down on the roof...‘(Pg.14) 

The American Dream

•"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest

guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place....With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got

somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us.“

(Pg.13)

Friendship

•We’re gonna go in an’ see the boss. Now, look—I’ll give him the work tickets, but you ain’t gonna say a word. You jus’ stand there and don’t say nothing. If he finds out

what a crazy bastard you are, we won’t get no job, but if he sees ya work before he hears

ya talk, we’re set." (Pg.44)

The Harsh Realities of Life