1. Of Mice and Men Chapter 6
By John Steinbeck

2. Symbols
Setting- peaceful description of nature similar to start of the book
Contrasts with the reality of nature
the heron (symbol for beauty/nature) eats the snake
Ideas/Themes:
Nature is brutal; survival of the fittest
Life and death is reality of nature (people give value to life)
Nature/Humans are not forgiving

3. Links to Chapter 1- full circle, Steinbeck uses the REPETITION
Lennie is compared to a bear in both chapters “creeping bear” (Ch 6)
Lennie talked about ketchup
George and Lennie have the same conversation as in Chapter one:
“If I was alone I could live so easy” (George repeats but with no conviction)
“I got you and you got me” (ironic and painful)
“Tend rabbits” and “live on the fatta the land”

4. Aiming for Excellence
Dramatic Irony-> when a character and, more importantly, the reader knows something another character doesn’t.
In chapter 6, the dramatic irony of the line “I got you and you got me” occurs because…

5. A and Y
Steinbeck ensures the reader knows that in the past, George has abused his power over Lennie (telling him to jump in the river) but at the end of the novel, he uses his power to make Lennie feel safe, happy and ultimately kills him to prevent Lennie from future suffering. I think this shows that George is…

6. Symbolism- Lennie’s visions
Aunt Clara = Lennie’s guilt
Giant Rabbit = Society’s beliefs of Lennie, Lennie’s beliefs about himself
* find quotes to support

7. Foreshadowing
George held Carlson’s gun and looked at Lennie “where the spine and skull were joined”
Steinbeck reminds the reader of Carlson’s description of how he was going to shoot Candy’s dog
same gun as Candy’s dog, one of the many parallels between the two situations
Candy said he’d wished he’d shot the dog himself

8. Metaphors, motifs and themes
Write a paragraph starting with this Statement starter:
George killing Lennie is similar to Candy and his dog because…

9. Big Ideas/Themes  Steinbeck’s message about the world
The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.
The American Dream is only a dream
Human nature is as cruel as Mother Nature.
Loneliness and Companionship determine the quality of one’s life
“A- Steinbeck was trying to say…”
“Y- I think…” (your opinion- this idea in world)