Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck johnsteinbecksmiceandmen

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck johnsteinbecksmiceandmen. blogspot. com

Chapter Three: Recurring Motifs Recurring ideas/motifs: -friendship/companionship - loyalty -The American Dream -isolation -weak vs. strong/young vs. old -survival -class/race/gender -identity

Chapter Three: Plot Conflicts n Conflict: - Man vs. Man - Who, what, why? - Slim wants to shoot Candy’s dog because the dog is old & “stinks” (p. 44). Candy is reluctant, but everyone agrees & he is sadly outnumbered. THE DOG HAS NO NAME! Conflict: - Man vs. Man - Who, what, why? - Curley bullies Lennie, & Lennie strikes back (per George), crushing Curley’s hand (p. 63). n Subconflict: Man vs. Fate – Lennie & the pup. n

Infer/Predict n The conflicts and subconflicts are important because they foreshadow impending doom. Doom for whom? n The above conflicts highlight that only the ? ? ? survive.

Character: Curley: He is temperamental, a welterweight and the boss’s son. He is a jealous, newly married man, and he is insecure about his height. n Curley seems to “pick” on those who cannot defend themselves, such as Lennie. n

Character: Curley’s Wife She seems lonely & isolated. By the same token, she is openly flirtatious and insecure like Curley. n Curley’s wife will likely cause a conflict due to her future actions. She is always seeking the only company there is on the ranch (men), while “looking” for Curley. n

Character: Crooks is mistreated and isolated as well. He seems like a patient man who has been through terrible times. Rightfully so, he is weary of others. n Crooks follows orders & generally keeps to himself. n mamsp. blogspot. com/2008/11/whit-and-crooks-an. . .

Character: Carlson n Carlson is straightforward and also a large man. Sometimes he’s rude. n He is the one who ultimately shoots Candy’s dog and buries him.

Character: Slim n Slim is young, respected, and the prince of the ranch. He seems to be “the voice of reason” and the person whose “opinion is law” (p. 45). n Slim is the one who gives Carlson permission to shoot Candy’s dog.

Characters: Lennie and George n Lennie Small and George Milton seem to have a close bond, no matter how much Lennie irritates George. n Their bond is deep and symbiotic. Lennie trusts George and obeys his every command, as he is child-like and does not understand right from wrong. n Make a prediction – no spoilers!!!!