1. Of Mice and Men
Notes
Chapter 1

2. Setting
California
The Great Depression/1930’s

3. Characterization
Definition: The act of creating and developing a character.
Direct characterization is used when stating of describing characteristics
Indirect characterization is used when showing a character’s personality through his/her actions, thoughts, feelings, words, appearance, and other characters’ observations

4. Lennie Physical Tall/Big Strong Shapeless face Large, pale eyes
Wide, stooping shoulders
Drags his feet
Arms hang loosely
Mental
Slow
Caring
Follows orders
Childlike
Forgetful
Likes to touch soft things
Doesn’t know his own strength

5. George Physical Strong Small Quick Sharp, restless eyes
Thin, bony nose
Dark face
Slender arms
Mental
Street smart
Impatient with Lennie
Comes off mean
Has good intentions
Burdened by Lennie
Seems to really like Lennie

6. Relationship between George and Lennie
Unclear why they are together
They are very good friends
Seems like they are brothers
George would be the older brother caring for Lennie

7. What would George do without Lennie?
Get a job and keep it
Do whatever he wants
Play cards
Go to a “cat house”
Have a girl
Buy a house
Shoot pool
Drink Whisky

8. The Dream Have a house Have a few acres
Keep a few animals (pigs and chickens)
Work if they want to
Lennie will tend to rabbits
Provide for themselves
***Live off the fatta the land***

9. Important Quotes “Maybe you’re getting better” (15).
What is wrong with this statement?
Shows that George wants Lennie to change
Seems like Lennie is not sick- he can’t get better
Why is it important?
Foreshadows
Makes readers feel like something bad will come

10. Quotes Cont.
“’With us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us…’”
“’Because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why.’” (14)
George and Lennie are not like other migrant workers
They have each other, and that fact alone sets them apart from others

11. Literary Terms
Simile: “Slowly, like a terrier who doesn’t want to bring a ball to its master, Lennie approached, drew back, approached again.” (9)
Personification: “The sycamore trees whispered in a little night breeze.” (16)