1 Of Mice and Men By John Steinbeck

3 Topics of Discussion John Steinbeck’s Biography America in the Great Depression The Novel: Of Mice and Men Student Learning Goals

John Steinbeck One of The Great American Writers of the 20 th Century 4

5 John Steinbeck “Man himself has become our greatest hazard and our only hope.” From John Steinbeck’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech 1962

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

7 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

8 Steinbeck’s Writing (cont.) Used plain, everyday language Presented normal people with physical and mental flaws Portrayed the American Depression

9 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 11

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13 The Great Depression 1929 – 1930’s Begins with the Stock Market Crash Businesses failed, workers lost their jobs, and families fell into poverty

14 The Great Depression People migrate to California for work Government is depended on for food

The Great Depression (cont.) 15 Most severe economic downturn in American history Began with the Stock Market crash of 29 October 1929 Lasted until the start of American involvement in World War II Unemployment rose to 30% 50% of commercial banks failed Crop prices fell by 50% Over-production led to unemployment Hunger, despair, poverty, homelessness – millions of Americans had their lives destroyed

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18 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

What’s a Bindle stiff? 19 A hobo, especially one who carries a bedroll.

American Dream What is the American Dream? Give specific examples/details

The dream... House Job Family Money to live on 21

The reality... 22

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26 Student Learning Objectives for Of Mice and Men Analyze the features of setting and their importance in a literary text Compare and contrast the author’s use of direct and indirect characterization Distinguish how conflicts, parallel plots and subplots affect the pacing of the action Explain how literary techniques are used to shape the plot

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. 27

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

29 Point of View 3 rd person omniscient Steinbeck reveals his themes through the characters of George and Lennie

30 Conflict Protagonists: Main characters of the story, George and Lennie Antagonists: Characters or obstacles that the main characters must combat

31 Structure Six chapters, covering 3 days, each set on or near a ranch Chapters 1 and 6 take place in the same location, creating a circular effect

Microcosm: a miniature representation of the world *The ranch is a microcosm of the world. *The ranch and characters represent the world and people in general. Microcosm: Definition?

Vocabulary Anguish Contemplate Morose Recumbent Derogatory Mollify (mollified) Liniment Pugnacious Scourge Slough Stable buck (derogatory) Euchre

Words of Wisdom… In every bit of honest writing in the world there is a base theme. Try to understand men, if you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and nearly always leads to love. There are shorter means, many of them. There is writing promoting social change, writing punishing injustice, writing in celebration of heroism, but always that base theme try to understand each other. John Steinbeck: 1938 Journal Entry