Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Title inspiration The inspiration for the title of the novel, The inspiration for the title of the novel, Of Mice and Men, came from a poem by 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!

Background of John Steinbeck born in Salinas, California, on February 27, 1902 of German and Irish ancestry born in Salinas, California, on February 27, 1902 of German and Irish ancestry love of reading and the written word love of reading and the written word During summers he worked as a hired hand on nearby ranches, nourishing his impression of the California countryside and its people During summers he worked as a hired hand on nearby ranches, nourishing his impression of the California countryside and its people Books deal with the lives and problems of working people Books deal with the lives and problems of working people Characters in his books are immigrants from Mexico or from other parts of the USA who went to California looking for work and a better life Characters in his books are immigrants from Mexico or from other parts of the USA who went to California looking for work and a better life

Other Novels by John Steinbeck The Grapes of Wrath The Grapes of Wrath Tortilla Flat Tortilla Flat All have themes of friendship, dreams, and tragedy. They are all about Migrant workers with a dream who work hard. Each story has love and pain and tell of the struggles they endure. The setting in all his stories is along the seacoast of California.

Migrant Farm Workers migrant=a person who moves regularly in order to find work, especially in harvesting crops Men travelled the countryside between the 1880’s and the early 1930’s harvesting wheat Men travelled the countryside between the 1880’s and the early 1930’s harvesting wheat They earned $2.50 or $3.00 a day, plus food and very basic accommodations They earned $2.50 or $3.00 a day, plus food and very basic accommodations During the 1930’s, when there was very bad unemployment in the United States, agencies were set up to send farm workers to where they were needed and the workers received work cards During the 1930’s, when there was very bad unemployment in the United States, agencies were set up to send farm workers to where they were needed and the workers received work cards

The Great Depression What do you know about the Great Depression? What do you know about the Great Depression? When did this happen? When did this happen?

The American Dream From the 17 th century, when the first settlers arrived, immigrants dreamed of a better life in America From the 17 th century, when the first settlers arrived, immigrants dreamed of a better life in America Many dreamed of making fortunes in the goldfields Many dreamed of making fortunes in the goldfields For many, hopes were shattered, especially those affected by the Great Depression For many, hopes were shattered, especially those affected by the Great Depression

Setting for the novel Of Mice and Men Set in the farmland of the Salinas Valley in California Set in the farmland of the Salinas Valley in California Takes place during the 1930’s, Great Depression Era Takes place during the 1930’s, Great Depression Era The ranch in the story is near Soledad, which is southeast of Salinas on the Salinas River The ranch in the story is near Soledad, which is southeast of Salinas on the Salinas River John Steinbeck is very familiar with the area he writes about because he grew up there John Steinbeck is very familiar with the area he writes about because he grew up there

Characters Lennie Smalls Lennie Smalls –Mentally challenged –Needs watched over George Milton George Milton –Caretaker for Lennie *These two are close friends who travel together as migrant farm workers. It is a complex relationship with George always looking after Lennie.

Vocabulary Bindle – a small bundle of items rolled up inside a blanket and carried over the shoulder or on the back Bindle – a small bundle of items rolled up inside a blanket and carried over the shoulder or on the back Tart – a woman of loose morals; one who is prone to be unfaithful Tart – a woman of loose morals; one who is prone to be unfaithful Liniment – a medicated liquid rubbed on the skin to ease sore muscles and sprains Liniment – a medicated liquid rubbed on the skin to ease sore muscles and sprains Bunk house – a building that provides sleeping quarters for workers on a farm Bunk house – a building that provides sleeping quarters for workers on a farm Swamper – a handyman; someone who performs odd jobs often involving cleaning Swamper – a handyman; someone who performs odd jobs often involving cleaning

As you read this novel, you will be able to relate to the messages woven throughout the storyline. John Steinbeck showcases the lives of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression in California. The powerful bond between two migrant ranch hands, George Milton and Lennie Smalls, magnifies the loneliness felt by other ranch hands. To defeat this emotion, each character dreams of living a more promising life. Of Mice and Men is a fictional, yet realistic, piece of literature that uses the Great Depression as a backdrop to emphasize the importance of friendship, the consequences of loneliness, and the much sought after American Dream.

Themes in Of Mice and Men Loneliness The American Dream Friendship

Loneliness - Throughout the novel, a main characteristic most of the characters contained was being lonely. Candy has only his dog as his one companion. In time, Candy has no one and attaches himself to the dream George and Lennie share. Candy has only his dog as his one companion. In time, Candy has no one and attaches himself to the dream George and Lennie share. Crooks feels “…A guys goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he with you…” He would work for nothing as long as he can communicate with others. Crooks feels “…A guys goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he with you…” He would work for nothing as long as he can communicate with others. Curley’s wife is overwhelmed by her loneliness and seeks friendship from other men. Curley’s wife is overwhelmed by her loneliness and seeks friendship from other men.

The American Dream - Everyone has a dream to strive for. George and Lennie have a dream. They want to “live off the fat of the land” and be their own bosses. George and Lennie have a dream. They want to “live off the fat of the land” and be their own bosses. Candy, upon hearing about the dream, wants to join them so that he won’t be alone. Candy, upon hearing about the dream, wants to join them so that he won’t be alone. Crooks, the negro outcast, wanted to join them so that he wouldn’t be alone. Crooks, the negro outcast, wanted to join them so that he wouldn’t be alone. The ranch hands wish to be their own bosses and actually have stability. The ranch hands wish to be their own bosses and actually have stability. Curley’s wife wants to be “in the pictures” Curley’s wife wants to be “in the pictures”

Friendship - Every man needs someone to make him feel special. George and Lennie share a bond so strong that when one is destroyed, the other is as well. Steinbeck often stresses how ranchers are loners, and George and Lennie are the only ones who travel in pairs. George and Lennie share a bond so strong that when one is destroyed, the other is as well. Steinbeck often stresses how ranchers are loners, and George and Lennie are the only ones who travel in pairs. “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world…They got no family…We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us…” “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world…They got no family…We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us…”