1. Of Mice and Men

2. Share with someone near you What character did you sympathize with the most and why?

3. Of Mice and Men Turn and discuss with a partner: Why would Steinbeck write a book like this? What is the point of writing it this way? What is the theme of the book? What is Steinbeck’s tone? What mood does this book create for the reader?

4. Of Mice and Men What does Steinbeck do to make the last scene so powerful?

5. Diction Write down three words Steinbeck uses to describe Lennie’s speech Write down three words Steinbeck uses to describe George’s speech

6. Imagery What about the imagery contributes to the strength of this scene?

7. Plot Symmetry Why does Steinbeck bring us back to the same place? What makes this effective? Why do readers like this?

8. Foreshadowing Turn and discuss with a partner: how did Steinbeck foreshadow this final scene? How does this foreshadowing add meaning to the scene?

9. Allegory a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation

10. Symbolism When concrete things stand for abstract ideas

11. Example of Allegory Dr. Seuss’s The Better Butter War is an Allegory for the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet union The two groups that condemn each other over seemingly meaningless differences are the U.S. and Soviet Union The Chief Yookeroo represents one of those country’s leaders The constant invention of newer and more ridiculous weapons represents the arms race The Boys in the Back Room represent the scientists that worked to develop new weapons The Big-Boy Boomeroo represents atomic weapons

12. Match the character to the image Complete the worksheet by drawing an object that shows what you think that character represents and offering an explanation of why. Example: Curley’s wife I chose red lipstick because her character represents the way that society categories women based on what they look like rather than who they are.

13. Homework Finish the symbol sheet