Of Mice and Men BY JOHN STEINBECK John

Of Mice and Men BY JOHN STEINBECK

John Steinbeck �Born in 1902 in Salinas, CA �Attended Stanford University, never graduated �Wrote fiction and nonfiction �Won the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize for literature �Died in 1968

Some Books by Steinbeck �Red Pony (1933) �Tortilla Flat (1935) �Of Mice and Men (1937) �In Dubious Battle (1936) �The Grapes of Wrath (1939) �Cannery Row (1945) �The Wayward Bus (1947) �The Pearl (1947) �East of Eden (1952) �Travels with Charley (1962)

Of Mice and Men Setting � Setting 1930’s During the Great Depression On a small ranch in Soledad near Salinas, CA

Great Depression �The Great Depression was a severe economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. It started about 1929 and lasted until around 1940.

Robert Burns – “To a Mouse” “The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray” Small, sleek, cowering, timorous beast, O, what a panic is in your breast! You need not start away so hasty With hurrying scamper! I would be loath to run and chase you, With murdering plough-staff. You saw the fields laid bare and wasted, And weary winter coming fast, And cozy here, beneath the blast, You thought to dwell, Till crash! the cruel plough past Out through your cell. I'm truly sorry man's dominion Has broken Nature's social union, And justifies that ill opinion Which makes thee startle At me, thy poor, earth born companion And fellow mortal! That small bit heap of leaves and stubble, Has cost you many a weary nibble! Now you are turned out, for all your trouble, Without house or holding, To endure the winter's sleety dribble, And hoar-frost cold. I doubt not, sometimes, but you may steal; What then? Poor beast, you must live! An odd ear in twenty-four sheaves Is a small request; I will get a blessing with what is left, And never miss it. But Mouse, you are not alone, In proving foresight may be vain: The best laid schemes of mice and men Go often askew, And leaves us nothing but grief and pain, For promised joy! Your small house, too, in ruin! It's feeble walls the winds are scattering! And nothing now, to build a new one, Of coarse grass green! And bleak December's winds coming, Both bitter and keen! Still you are blest, compared with me! The present only touches you: But oh! I backward cast my eye, On prospects dreary! And forward, though I cannot see, I guess and fear!

Slang Terms 1. bindle: a bed roll and/or pack of personal belongings. 2. jack: money 3. graybacks: lice 4. tick: mattress 5. buck: a man 6. buckler: those who move or load heavy objects (sacks of grain, for example) 7. jerkline: rope connecting the leading horse or mule with the brake, and held by the driver 8. skinner: a driver of a draft (team of animals) 9. tart: prostitute

Slang Terms 10. mules: shoes or slippers 11. found: free food and lodgings in addition to wages 12. hoosegow: jail 13. hame: part of the collar for a draft animal 14. booby hatch: insane asylum 15. floozy: cheap, immoral woman 16. snooker: a variation of pool played with 15 red balls and 6 balls of assorted colors 17. burlap ticking: thick canvas covers on bedding 18. swamper: cleaner

Characters Protagonists � George � Lennie Minor Characters � Candy � Slim � Curley’s Wife � Crooks � Carlson � Boss � Whit

While You Read… �Complete a character foldable for the following characters, listing character traits and representative quotes: George: 10 traits and TWO quotes (by him or about him) Lennie: 10 traits and TWO quotes (by him or about him) Slim: 5 traits and ONE quotes (by him or about him) Curley’s Wife: 5 traits and ONE quotes (by her or about her) Crooks: 5 traits and ONE quotes (by him or about him) �Plot chart foldable: Describe the major events in the book as we read and discuss them in class

After you Read: Chapter Summaries At the end of each chapter you will be required: 1. To write a summary of the chapter Characters – describe new characters, what they did and so on. Big events – what happened that was important in the chapter. Favorite quote – pick one and say WHY 2. To illustrate on a blank sheet of paper the quote you picked. You MUST include the quote on the front and MUST be in COLOR!

Characters George �Main Protagonist �Small man �Intelligent �High Moral Standards �Compassionate �Migrant Worker who dreams of owning a farm �Takes Care of Lennie

Characters Lennie �Other Main Protagonist �Mentally Disabled �Very Large Man �Loves soft, furry animals �Acts like a child

Minor Characters Candy-old man, lost hand; friendly and helpful; afraid of being fired; contributes $ to the dream ranch Slim-jerkline skinner; well-respected; friendly and compassionate Curley-ranch boss’ son; small, quick; very jealous and possessive Curley’s wife -doesn’t have a name; lonely, roving eye Crooks-stable buck; experiences discrimination Carlson-owns a gun; complains about Candy’s dog