1 John Steinbeck & Of Mice and Men

2 Topics of Discussion John Steinbeck’s Biography America in the Great Depression and Dust Bowl The Novel: Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck One of The Great American Writers of the 20 th Century 3

4 John Steinbeck Biography Born in Salinas, CA in 1902 From a Middle Class Family While in college, he worked with underpaid laborers Wrote about his travels and life experiences

Steinbeck (continued) At the age of 14 he decided to be a writer In high school, Steinbeck did well in English and edited the school yearbook. From Steinbeck attended Stanford University. However, Steinbeck did not receive a degree because he would drop in and out of school, sometimes to work with migrant workers on California ranches. 5

6 Steinbeck’s Writing Published novels, travel writing, and movie scripts Criticized social injustices of the working class Commented on the moral corruption of America Awarded Nobel Prize in 1962

7 Steinbeck’s Writing Used plain, everyday language Presented normal people with physical and mental flaws Used American Depression

Of Mice and Men – Title’s Origin The title of the novel comes from a poem by the Scottish poet Robert Burns ( ) The best laid schemes o’ mice and men Gang aft agley [often go wrong] And leave us nought but grief and pain For promised joy! The best laid schemes of mice and men often go wrong- referring to a little mouse who had so carefully built her burrow in a field to protect herself and her little mice babies – and the burrow is turned over and destroyed by the man plowing. 8

9 Of Mice and Men Background The story of two ranch workers who travel throughout California in search of the American Dream Two main characters: George and Lennie Dream: To own a piece of land to grow crops, raise animals, and live peacefully

10 Setting Set in the Salinas Valley, CA – near the town of Soledad Takes place over the course of 3 days During the time period of the Great Depression – ranch work was difficult to find due to the large migration to California

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The Fields of Salinas, California 12

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14 Of Mice and Men

The American Dream One theme in the book is The American Dream From the 17 th Century onwards, immigrants have dreamed of a better life in America. Many people immigrated to America in search of a new life for themselves or their families. The American Dream for the newcomers was the hope to become wealthy and prosperous and happy.

16 The Great Depression The idea of an American Dream was broken by the Great Depression. Begins with the Stock Market Crash, Oct. 29, 1929 Businesses failed, workers lost their jobs, and families fell into poverty

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The Dust Bowl In addition to the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl caused great problems in America. Throughout the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Great Plains suffered a severe drought. 89 million acres of land were severely damaged or destroyed.

The Prairie winds made many dust storms

Black Sunday April 14, The dust storm that turned day into night. Many believed the world was coming to an end.

To survive, thousands of people made their way west towards California for work The book’s characters of George and Lennie dreamt of having a “little house and a couple of acres” which was their own dream.

What’s a Bindle stiff? 22 A hobo, especially one who carries a bedroll.

George and Lennie go to a ranch near Salinas, California, to work. George is Lennie’s keeper, and Lennie imitates everything that George does. Lennie previously had been kicked out of a town for grabbing a girl’s dress. He simply liked to touch soft items. That is also the reason that he has a dead mouse in his pocket: Lennie petted him too hard. George promises Lennie that some day they will have their own farm and raise rabbits as well as other animals.

24 Themes: The struggles of ordinary people: Loneliness Hopes and Dreams Friendship Dignity and Pride The American Dream Racial Prejudice

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Farmers and their families had to leave

They had to sell everything

They took to the road. Where would they go?

Many farm laborers and ranch hands travelled the roads in search of work in California.

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The Salinas River area in California. Where Steinbeck grew up & worked on ranches. Into this area came many jobless men in the 30s, including the characters Lennie and George in Of Mice and Men