Archetypes In Of Mice and Men An ARCHETYPE

• An ARCHETYPE is a typical character, an action, or a situation that

• “Of Mice and Men” takes place in a very specific time and

• Archetype for the “wise fool”. • Mentally inferior, but able to reveal

• Archetype for the “small people”-- who may feel inferior and overcompensate by

• Curley’s wife is the archetype of Eve – the female character who,

• Candy is the universal archetype of people who are undervalued and discriminated

• Each group will look closely at one of the characters in “Of

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Archetypes In “Of Mice and Men”

• An ARCHETYPE is a typical character, an action, or a situation that seems to represent a universal pattern of human nature. • Examples: • The innocent • The “average” guy • The hero • The caregiver • The explorer • The caregiver What is an archetype?

• “Of Mice and Men” takes place in a very specific time and place, but can symbolize as a universal figure. • George is the archetype of "the everyman" – the type of normal, average person who is found everywhere and whose feelings and actions are neither exceptional nor terrible. • He is the character with whom most readers will identify. • He symbolizes the difficulty of trudging through the everyday world (and extraordinary situations) when you’re just an ordinary guy. George Milton

• Archetype for the “wise fool”. • Mentally inferior, but able to reveal the best and the worst of others. • His foolishness often allows him to speak honestly where others won’t, and he sometimes taps into things that "normal" people can’t. • Lennie is symbolic of people who are mistreated and discriminated against because of their mental handicaps. Lenny Small

• Archetype for the “small people”-- who may feel inferior and overcompensate by inflating or flaunting their power and status. • Gets in fights to feel powerful. • Sometimes angry and short with others. Curley

• Curley’s wife is the archetype of Eve – the female character who, in the Biblical story, brings sin and death to the world. • She is also symbolic of women everywhere who are repressed by male-centered societies. Curley’s Wife

• Candy is the universal archetype of people who are undervalued and discriminated against because of their age. • Has an older dog that is his “companion” that mirrors Candy’s character. Candy

• Each group will look closely at one of the characters in “Of Mice and Men”. Make a poster in your group to visually display the archetype. (Be creative!) • Draw a picture of the character. • What is that character’s archetype? • Find 3 examples in the story representing how this character portrays the archetype. • Write 2 quotes ( and page numbers) that represent the archetype. • Think of 2 other character, in books, movies, everyday life, that represent this archetype. (Demonstrating how this character’s symbol is UNIVERSAL. )