1. Grabbing the reader Learning objectives:
EXTENSION TONIGHT!!!
10th September
Grabbing the reader
Learning objectives:
To be able to explore the techniques Steinbeck uses in the novella’s opening pages and to assess their effectiveness.
Key terms:
Imagery
Foreshadowing

2. The opening description
Copy down quotes showing:
Natural imagery
Lush description
Extension: How does this description link with what we know about California in the 1930s? Remember – you have to refer to context in the exam!!!

3. Initial impressions Physical description: Suggests:
Actions:
Suggests:
Actions:
Suggests:
How does Steinbeck show the nature of their relationship:
Read to p 7
Speech:
Suggests:
Speech:
Suggests:

4. Animal imagery
TASK
Find the quotations that relate to these animal images.
Paired discussion (notes in your books!)
What does the animal imagery tell the reader about Lennie?

5. Foreshadowing
Gives clues about events that have happened before the novel’s opening
Drops hints about might what happen in the future (foreshadowing)
Rd to pg 13 (at the flames)

6.
Analysing an extract
Learning objectives: To be able to analyse Steinbeck’s language at word and sentence level.
Starter:
What’s a:
‘doing word’?
‘describing word’?
2. Read over your character sheet from last lesson.

7. Analysing an extract How does the language in the extract:
Show the reader about the relationship between Lennie and George?
Reflect the life of migrant workers in America in the 1930s?
Work in pairs:
Highlight the words that seem important and work out how they are effective.
Try to find any language devices and think about why Steinbeck has used them.
The exam wants you to focus on very close language analysis.
15 ‘tell me george… to tend the rabbits.

8. Lennie spoke craftily, "Tell me- like you done before."
"Tell you what?"
"About the rabbits."
George snapped, "You ain't gonna put nothing over on me."
Lennie pleaded, "Come on, George. Tell me. Please, George. Like you done before."
"You get a kick outa that, don't you? Awright, I'll tell you, and
then we'll eat our supper...."
George's voice became deeper. He repeated his words rhythmically as though he had said them many times before.
"Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no fambly. They don't belong no place. They come to a ranch an' work up a stake and then they go into town and blow their stake, and the first thing
you know they're poundin' their tail on some other ranch. They ain't got nothing to look ahead to."
Lennie was delighted. "That's it- that's it. Now tell how it is with us."
George went on. "With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don't have to sit in no bar room blowin' in our jack jus' because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us."
Lennie broke in. "But not us! An' why? Because... because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that's why." He laughed delightedly. "Go on now, George!"

9. Relationship?
George went on. "With us it ain't like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don't have to sit in no bar room blowin' in our jack jus' because we got no place else to go. If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us."

10. Relationship?
George snapped, "You ain't gonna put nothing over on me."
Lennie pleaded, "Come on, George. Tell me. Please, George. Like you done before."
"You get a kick outa that, don't you? Awright, I'll tell you

11. Band 6
Consideration of writer’s uses of language and effect on readers
Relevant, embedded quotes
George and Lennie clearly have a long-standing friendship, which is based on their shared American Dream. George’s voice changes when he tells Lennie about the dream: his voice becomes “deeper” and he “repeated his words rhythmically”. The fact that Steinbeck tells the reader that George has developed a rhythm to tell his story makes the reader feel as though this well-rehearsed. Perhaps George and Lennie share this dream with each other to get them through the tough times on the road as itinerant workers.
Thoughtful/ sustained response to context

12. The markscheme (for the exam)
Band 6
Details linked to interpretation
Appreciation/consideration of writer’s uses of language and/or form and/or structure and effect on readers
Thoughtful response to context
How does the language in the extract:
Show the reader about the relationship between Lennie and George?
Reflect the life of migrant workers in America in the 1930s?
Band 5
Effective use of details to support interpretation
Explanation of effects of writer’s uses of language and/or structure and/or form
Sustained response to context
Band 4
Details used to support a range of comments
Identification of effect(s) of writer’s choices of language and/or form and/or structure
Explained response to context(s)

13. Peer Assess Give them a band and a target
Details linked to interpretation
Appreciation/consideration of writer’s uses of language and/or form and/or structure and effect on readers
Thoughtful response to context
How well have they:
Referred to context?
Used relevant quotes?
Analysed the effect of language?
Band 5
Effective use of details to support interpretation
Explanation of effects of writer’s uses of language and/or structure and/or form
Sustained response to context
Band 4
Details used to support a range of comments
Identification of effect(s) of writer’s choices of language and/or form and/or structure
Explained response to context(s)

14. Robert Burns – To a mouse
Robert Burns – To a mouse
But Mousie, thou are no thy-lane, In proving foresight may be vain: The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley, (Often go wrong) An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, For promis'd joy!
What connotations do mice have?
Why do you think Burns has chosen to link ‘mice and men’ in the poem?
How does the poem’s message link up to what you know about the American Dream?
Why do you think Steinbeck has chosen this title for his novella?
How might the title be foreshadowing something?

15. The big question: How does the concept of ‘The American Dream’ as well as the events of 1920s-30s America, come across in the opening chapter of the novel?
Work in pairs, writing your answer in both of your books – revision notes remember!