W.B Yates… Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths, Enwrought with golden and silver light, The blue and the dim and the dark cloths Of night and light and the half-light, I would spread the cloths under your feet: But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet, Tread softly because you tread on my dreams

Mindmap in your pairs... What themes are explored in Of Mice and Men? What characters do they relate to?

Chapter 4… Crooks Lennie Candy Curley’s wife George Narrator (s)

Summarise Chapter 4 in 5 key events.

America was a very racist place in 1937 when this book was published America was a very racist place in 1937 when this book was published. Crooks’ life probably represents the experience of many black men in America at that time. What evidence is there in the text that demonstrates this?

We learn about character through: Descriptions of appearance Their actions Their dialogue – what they say, how they say it Their thoughts Other characters – what the other characters say about them Their relationships with other people

LOOK BACK AT YOUR MINDMAP... Select at least 3 key scenes where we learn about Crooks through any of the following factors: Descriptions of appearance Their actions Their dialogue – what they say, how they say it Their thoughts Other characters – what the other characters say about them Their relationships with other people

ANALYSING OUR CHOSEN QUOTATIONS Using the quotation analyse and consider the following: Writing techniques Character description What is revealed about relationships? What is being revealed about power/conflict and how?

HOW DO WE LEARN ABOUT A CHARACTER? “Quotation” What do you learn about the character? He is ………… and ………….. How do you learn about the character? Use list above What writing techniques are being used? WHY?(because…./This shows….)(See slide below) How does the reader respond to the quotation? WHY? (because…./This shows…..) What does this show about relationships?

Mark this paragraph for : WWW/EBI (See teacher advice) The most lonely place is Crooks room. It is isolated away from the others because he is black. Therefore this shows loneliness and racism. In his room is a “tattered dictionary” and work tools. Steinbeck put these in the room to show us that Crooks spends his time reading and working. This is because he is lonely and has no friends. Also he does not want anyone in his room which makes it any even more lonely place because he won’t let anyone in. However, when Lennie and Candy come to Crooks’ room the loneliness disappears for a while because they stay and talk to Crooks. This makes the loneliness go for a while because it is the first time Crooks has guests in his room and secretly he likes it. This also links to loneliness and friendship.

TEACHER’S ADVICE Explain writers’ ideas clearly Use quotations to support points-PEEL Analyse language in more detail Analyse structure in more detail – refer to effects of sentences, punctuation, paragraphs. Analyse/refer to the impact of literary techniques: symbolism, metaphor, simile etc Refer to the meaning of texts in more detail Refer in more detail to how the text engages and influences the reader Proof read work once written, make improvements in spelling, punctuation and word choices 

Now practice your own PEEL Briefly say what the situation it/what it is about What is the key technique Give evidence/quotation of technique Comment on meaning/deeper meaning The word ‘.....’ suggests/connotations Comment on punctuation/sentence/rhythm Effect on reader/ Refer to writer Link/compare to next quotation Power/authority

CROOKS: WHAT DOES HE REPRESENT IN THE WORLD OF THE NOVEL? LO: To understand context and explore where Crooks fits in To explore Steinbeck’s language in his choice of names and what they represent

SOME NAMES …. Slim – tall and elegant, like him Candy – an ironic choice - his life is anything but sweet! Lennie ‘Small’ – another ironic choice. He is anything but small! Curley’s wife – no name – she is just someone’s wife and the very thing she craves for in the novel Steinbeck makes it clear she never has it Soledad – ‘loneliness’ Weed – a plant that deprives plants of space and food ‘Of Mice and Men’ – from Robert Burns’ poem – best laid plans often/always fail. Failure is inevitable! Crooks – a crooked back WHAT ELSE DID YOU COME UP WITH?

DISCUSS: 5 - 10 minutes What did Steinbeck want Crooks to represent in this novel? Make notes in the backs of your books. Consider the themes and the wider context of the novel in your discussions By ready to feedback to the rest of the class on your discussions. Be ready to question and expand/counter-argue points made be each other.

HOMEWORK DUE: WEDNESDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER Some people may describe Crooks as being cynical, resentful and even cold-hearted. Write a paragraph below, responding to the questions. Include quotes to support your answers. 1 - Why do you think people may think this way? 2 - How do you respond to Crooks? 3 - Where can we see that Crooks is actually vulnerable? 4 - Does he have reasons to be cynical? If so, what are the reasons?