1. STEINBECK BURNS MILTON HOBO-SPEAK Of Mice and Men

2. John Steinbeck (1902-1968) Born in Salinas, California Dropped out of Stanford University Pursued an unsuccessful career in New York City as a freelance writer Returned to California where he ultimately achieved great success as a novelist and short story author

3. Significant Works Tortilla Flat (1935) First significant success as a novelist Generous, loving, humorous portrayal of Spanish-Americans living in Monterey, CA Established Steinbeck’s love of the common man, as well as his use of California as setting

4. Significant Works Of Mice and Men (1937) A novella that was also meant to double as a play in three acts (two chapters per act) Examines depression-era life of migrant workers whose dreams are as seemingly unattainable as steady work/paychecks One of the most banned books in American history

5. Significant Works The Grapes of Wrath (1939) Focused on the plight of “Okies” during the dust bowl and depression-era conditions of the 1930s Plot: Farmers flee devastated farms seeking work in California; bad things happen Controversial for its negative portrayal of California growers, Steinbeck’s most famous work is also his most burned and banned

6. Significant Works East of Eden (1952) Set in the Salinas Valley, California Steinbeck’s most far-reaching effort Considered by the author to be the culmination of his learned talents: “Everything else I have written has been … practice for this.”

7. “To a Mouse” by Robert Burns Complete title: “To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plow” Also wrote “Auld Lang Syne” A Romantic poet, Burns is often considered to be the national poet of Scotland His poem provided the title for Of Mice and Men

8. Small, crafty, cowering, timorous little beast, O, what a panic is in your little breast! You need not start away so hasty With argumentative chatter! I would be loath to run and chase you, With murdering plough-staff. I'm truly sorry man's dominion Has broken Nature's social union, And justifies that ill opinion Which makes thee startle At me, thy poor, earth born companion And fellow mortal! I doubt not, sometimes, but you may steal; What then? Poor little beast, you must live! An odd ear in twenty-four sheaves Is a small request; I will get a blessing with what is left, And never miss it.

9. Your small house, too, in ruin! Its feeble walls the winds are scattering! And nothing now, to build a new one, Of coarse grass green! And bleak December's winds coming, Both bitter and keen! You saw the fields laid bare and wasted, And weary winter coming fast, And cozy here, beneath the blast, You thought to dwell, Till crash! the cruel plough passed Out through your cell. That small bit heap of leaves and stubble, Has cost you many a weary nibble! Now you are turned out, for all your trouble, Without house or holding, To endure the winter's sleety dribble, And hoar-frost cold.

10. But little Mouse, you are not alone, In proving foresight may be vain: The best laid schemes of mice and men Go often awry, And leave us nothing but grief and pain, For promised joy! Still you are blest, compared with me! The present only touches you: But oh! I backward cast my eye, On prospects dreary! And forward, though I cannot see, I guess and fear!