Of Mice and Men context quiz: Who said what…? Can you relate it to the context and any themes within the book?

Learning objective: To be able to identify who says what in ‘Of Mice and Men’ and relate the quote to the context of the book. All will be able to identify the themes each character quote reveals and how it could relate to the context (Band 3) Most will be able to identify the main themes and how the character quote reveals information about the context (Band 4) Some will be able to identify and analyse why the character quote reveals information about the context and link it to the themes within the novel (Band 5)

“ The ranch we’re goin’ to is right down there about a quarter mile “ The ranch we’re goin’ to is right down there about a quarter mile. We’re gonna go in an’ see the boss.” George- he highlights that migrant workers move around all the time looking for new jobs; they don’t stay in the same job for a long period of time before moving on. George says this

“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place.” George- What themes does this highlight and how can you relate it to the context?

“An’ live off the fatta the lan”. Lennie and his dream- Innocence and the ‘American Dream’

“Well, I never seen one guy take so much trouble for another guy” The Boss- Friendship and loneliness: Migrant workers travel around on their own from job to job and are away from family. Lennie and George’s friendship is unusual in the boss’ eyes because migrant workers would normally work for the good of themselves.

“Hardly none of the guys ever travel together “Hardly none of the guys ever travel together. I hardly never seen two guys travel together. You know how the hands are, they just come in and get their bunk and work a month, and then they quit and go out alone” Slim- Themes of friendship and loneliness of migrant workers during the 1930’s. Great depression

“If I was bright, if I was even a little bit smart, I’d have my own little place, an’ I’d be bringin’ in my own crops” George- Dreams

“He stinks to beat hell. Tell you what. I’ll shoot him for you “He stinks to beat hell. Tell you what. I’ll shoot him for you. Then it won’t be you that does it.” Carlson about Candy’s dog Representing the older generation in society: useless once they get to a certain age, ageism

“ She got the eye goin’ all the time on everybody “ She got the eye goin’ all the time on everybody. I bet she even gives the stable buck the eye.” Whit- Curley’s wife and Crooks Context: Role of women, treatment of women- association with women as being promiscuous and flirtatious Racism- even a black person could attract a woman (she must be desperate to look at a black man)- segregation/inequality

“We go in to old Susy’s place. Hell of a nice place “We go in to old Susy’s place. Hell of a nice place. Old Susy’s a laugh- always crackin’ jokes”. Whit- Migrant workers went to whore- houses to entertain themselves and relieve themselves from a hard day’s work

What does the following quote tell us about the relationship between Curley and his wife? “He spends half his time lookin’ for her, and the rest of the time she’s lookin’ for him.” Perhaps they don’t communicate and men and women had little to do with each other? Or Could it show that both characters are lonely because they didn’t achieve their dreams? Or….?

“George, how long’s it gonna be till we get that little place an’ live on the fatta the lan’-an’ rabbits?” Lennie- he has a dream and that keeps him going throughout the novel; he asks George to keep confirming their dream to him so he is reassured. This could highlight the theme of innocence on Lennie’s behalf (he believes in his dream- the American dream, but reality knows different), and dreams.

“I ain’t much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some. How’d that be?” Candy- He is latching on to Lennie and George’s dream to give him something to aim for. Why do you think the characters in this story have dreams? What is the significance of having a dream?

“There were battered magazines and a few dirty books on a special shelf over his bunk” Explain how this quote demonstrates the theme of racism

“Long as you won’t get out and leave me alone.” Crooks- What does this quote tell us about his character? (themes) Identify the effect on the audience!

“If I say something, why its just a nigger saying it.” Who is saying this? What is the significance of the word ‘just’?

“I seen hundreds of men come by on the road an’ on the ranches… hundreds of them. They come, an’ they quit an’ go on;…” Crooks- what is he trying to say here? How can you link it to the context from what you already know?

“Her face was heavily made up. Her lips were slightly parted “Her face was heavily made up. Her lips were slightly parted. She breathed strongly, as though she had been running.” How far do you agree that: Curley’s wife displays herself in this way because she is lonely.

“ The discontent and the ache for attention were all gone from her face. She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young.” … now do you agree with the statement? Do you pity her?

Discuss: How far does George believe in his and Lennie’s dream? Is it just to keep Lennie out of trouble? Does he do it to keep his spirit alive?