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Name:Form:English Teacher:But Mousie, thou art no lane,In proving foresight may be vain:The best laid schemes o’ mice and menGang aft agleyAn’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ painFor promis’d joy!lane = alonegang = goaft = oftenagley = wrongTask: What do you think the lines from this poem mean?What do you think you can deduce about the plot of the novella from this poem? 'Of Mice and Men' is set in the 1930s during The Great Depression. Jobs were extremely limited in the city, which meant that in order to find work, men had to travel to rural areas to work on the land. They were exploited by farm owners, who employed them on low rates?of pay and in appalling conditions. These men were only in demand for short periods at a time, and they had to save enough from seasonal work, such as harvesting crops and fruit, to support them through the rest of the year. Because of their solitary lifestyle, and their extreme mobility, little could be done to organise their welfare through trade-union membership. These concerns form the major themes of Steinbeck's novel.??Note down some of the information that you have collected from your research on:John SteinbeckThe American DreamEconomic DepressionThe Role of WomenRacismMigrant FarmersDon’t forget to use the wiki for more informationPlot summary (Section One)Complete the summary by filling in the blanks.Two men called George and __________ make their way down to a clearing beside the __________ River near the town of __________ in __________. They are heading to a nearby __________ to find work. Lennie has a dead __________, which he likes to stroke, in his __________, but George makes him __________ it away. They warm some __________ on a fire for __________ and Lennie asks __________ to tell him about the house and land they are going to__________ one day.mouse town California Lennie throw hide supper George ranch Oklahoma beans pocket own Soledad soup rat live Salinas Section 1: Literary devicesThe first section of the novel is rich in imagery. Find at least one example of each of the following literary devices and explain their effect on the reader:Simile Metaphor Onomatopoeia Personification Section 1: George and Lennie’s dreamBackground info:(where have the men come from?)Predictions:(are there any clues within the text to suggest what may happen to these men in the future?)What information does Steinbeck give in this opening section of the novel’s setting? (Consider use of nature and natural imagery)How do George and Lennie fit in with their new surroundings?Key Quotes from Ch 1 about the dream.Consider Cultural context!The American DreamHow is George and Lennie’s dream similar to ‘The American Dream’?Plot summary (Section Two)Complete the summary by filling in the blanks.George and Lennie __________ at the __________ where an old __________ shows them their __________. They meet the __________, who __________George about Lennie. The swamper comes back with his __________. They meet the __________ son, whose name is __________. They also __________ a man called __________, whose dog has just had some __________. Curley's new __________ comes in, looking for her husband.boss rooms beds arrive boss’s puppies meet Slim questions girlfriend Curley dog wife swamper puppy stable buck fight ranchSection 2: CharacterizationChoose three characters from the second section of the novel. For each character identify three separate points from Steinbeck’s description of their appearance and explain how these points contribute to the reader’s understanding of that character.Character: ______________________________1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Character: ______________________________1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Character: ______________________________1. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________2. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Section 2: George and Lennie – Migrant FarmersWhat is the Boss like?What information is given in section 1 about the life of the migrant farmer? (consider clothing, living conditions, work agencies…)Key Quotes from Ch 2 about the life of a migrant farmer?Consider Cultural context!Migrant FarmersHow are George and Lennie different to most migrant farmers?Plot summary (Section Three)Complete the summary by filling in the blanks.George and __________ sit in the bunk house. George tells Slim about his __________ with Lennie and explains __________ they had to leave __________. Lennie arrives, __________ the puppy Slim has given him. __________ makes him take it back to the barn. Candy and __________ come in. __________ tells Candy he ought to shoot his old dog. __________ Candy agrees. Carlson takes the dog away. __________ and Slim go to __________ an injured mule. The rest of the men start talking about __________. Then Curley appears, looking for his wife. __________ of Slim, he rushes out to the barn. Some of the others __________, leaving George and Lennie __________ with Candy. George and Lennie talk about their __________ of the farm, and Candy offers to __________ his savings if they let him join them.The other men return. _________ and Slim are __________. Curley turns on Lennie, who __________ his hand. Slim tells Carlson to get Curley to a __________. Curley agrees to say he caught his hand in a machine.George Curley Weed Slim Carlson Suspicious doctortend cuddling pool Eventually Soledad shoot grin arguing alone dream Carlson crushes Crooks women why follow friendship Section 3: WordsearchSee if you can find twelve key words from the novel.KCADSSENILENOLVXDDEPRESSIONIPYAWEIMFJLMIBEASRMMILSAKTSAFSAGOERTSHTGIZMNCLPWRRAPPUSTLOAHFWHIXGRETODWLVEYRBCROGRENNIKSTROXALENNIEFXPINGDEAEPRECOIMXEBRIGLDREIRANIBKSIIRHUMMNOSKCURLEYOWEXILBIXEPRESTEYGARNYSZVARTLQGMRAHRUNDERDOGSP1. _______________________________ 2. __________________3. _______________________________ 4. __________________5. _______________________________ 6. __________________7. _______________________________ 8. __________________9. _______________________________ 10. __________________11. ______________________________ 12.__________________How is power / authority conveyed in this section?(Consider George’s authority over Lennie, Curley’s misuse of Power, Slim’s authority)Section 3: MarginalisationThe swamper’s old dog is a metaphor/symbol for all the underdogs in the society depicted in the novel.So far, which other characters do you think are underdogs? (Give reasons for your answers)Why does Candy regret not shooting the dog himself?Key Quotes from Ch 3 about marginalisationConsider Cultural context!MarginalisationWhy does Curley pick on Lennie? Although Lennie is physically strong, his mental disabilities make him a vulnerable character. Find evidence to show:Lennie’s physical strength:Lennie’s mental disabilities:Plot summary (Section Four)Complete the summary by filling in the blanks.__________ is alone in his room when __________ wanders in. Most of the other men, including George, have gone into Soledad for the __________. Envious of George and Lennie's __________, Crooks __________ Lennie with the suggestion that George may __________ come back. Lennie is frightened and angry. Crooks __________ down and speaks of his own isolation and __________.Candy arrives, and the men discuss George, Lennie and Candy's plans for the __________. At first Crooks is __________, but at last he asks if he can come and __________ for them in __________ for his bed and board. Then Curley's wife comes in. Her husband has gone into town, leaving her __________ with nobody to __________ to. Crooks and __________ __________ ask her to leave. She __________ all three men and _________ Crooks before departing. The __________ men come back from town. Crooks, __________ and demoralized, tells Candy to forget about his request to __________ them on the farm.never threatens friendship Crooks loneliness alone join work taunts insults farm nastily buck rabbits other Candy repeatedly backs defeated sceptical exchange evening talk LennieSection 4. Theme: lonelinessFill in the table below. Add page references so that you can find the quotations again when you need them.PageQuotationSpoken by…“There wasn’t another colored family for miles around. And now there ain’t a colored man on this ranch…”“Had two brothers. They was always near me, always there.”“Standin’ here talkin’ to a bunch of bindle stiffs… an’ likin’ it because they ain’t nobody else.”“A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody.”“Think I like to stick in that house alla time?”“Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while?”“Sat’iday night! Ever’body out doin’ sum’pin’. Ever’body! An’ what am I doin’?”“It’s just the talking. It’s just bein’ with another guy.”“I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an’ he gets sick.”What does the conversation in the Bunk house reveal about these characters: Crooks, Candy, Curley’s wife and Lennie?Section 4: Racial DiscriminationRacial discrimination: CrooksMake notes on how Steinbeck has conveyed the racism of this society.Key Quotes from Ch 4 about discriminationConsider Cultural context!Racial DiscriminationWhy does Crooks only allow himself to be a part of ‘the dream’ for such a brief moment of time?Crooks reflects on his past life, as a child. Why does he focus on his past rather than dreaming / planning for the future?Plot summary (Section Five)Complete the summary by filling in the blanks.Lennie is in the barn, stroking the dead body of his puppy, which he has __________ killed. Curley's wife comes in. She __________ in him about her unhappy marriage and her __________of being an actress. She __________ him to stroke her hair, but when he becomes too heavy-handed she tells him to stop.Lennie is __________. He holds on to Curley's wife. She screams and __________, and Lennie __________. He puts his hand over her mouth and nose and shakes her, __________ her neck. Then he realizes what he has done. Remembering George's instructions earlier in the __________, he runs off to hide in the brush by the river. __________ comes into the barn and discovers the body. He calls _________, then the other men. They prepare to go after Lennie and __________ him. Carlson discovers that his __________ is missing, and assumes that __________ has taken it. Whit is sent into Soledad to fetch the __________ __________. The younger men, including George, set out to find Lennie. Left alone to __________ over the body of Curley's wife, Candy lies down in the hay and covers his eyes with his arm.struggles flirts invites accidentally breaking pistol Curley George frightened watch week George arrest day punches deputy sheriff panics rifle Candy kill dream Lennie confidesSection 5: Loneliness and DreamsThemesWrite about how the following relate to the themes of either loneliness or dreams. (Use evidence from the text to support and develop your points.)Lennie: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The dead puppy: __________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Curley’s wife: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Curley’s wife: dreamsWhat dreams did Curley’s wife hold for her future?How realistic were these dreams? Why?Section 5: Gender DiscriminationGender discrimination: Curley’s wifeMake notes on how Steinbeck has conveyed the sexism of this society. Consider the role of women within the novel, as a whole.Key Quotes from Ch 5 about gender discriminationConsider Cultural context!Gender DiscriminationCompare the description of Curley’s wife in death with Steinbeck’s previous description of her in ch 2.What comment is Steinbeck making about pre-judging people?Plot summary (Section Six)Complete the summary by filling in the blanks.The final section of the novel opens with a description of the river bank where Lennie comes to __________ and wait for __________. Lennie drinks from the _________, then sits down with his knees drawn up to his chest. As he sits there he has two __________ – first of his __________ __________, who __________ him for being a __________ to George, then of an enormous __________, who tells him that this time George is going to __________ him.Then George arrives. He __________ Lennie and tells him one last time about the __________ they dream of owning __________. Then he __________ the other men approaching. He slips Carlson's __________ out of his pocket and __________ Lennie in the back of the head. The other men run into the clearing. __________ gloats over Lennie's dead body, and __________ is __________ and insensitive. Only _________ understands what Lennie's __________ has cost George.Clara Carlson visions hide burden together death comforts Aunt Curley rabbit rifle sees kill crass pistol shoots scolds Slim leave farm river hears GeorgeChapter 6: Cyclical Structure - Echoes of the first sceneSteinbeck makes this last scene echo the first one, by using phrases and images that are similar in both. Find some instances of this technique and write them in your table. Here is one example to help you.Section 1Section 6‘A water- snake slipped along on the pool, its head up like a little periscope.’(Water snake is constantly aware of its surroundings – senses danger from predators)‘A water- snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its periscope head from side to side.’(The water snake is eaten by a heron in this section – once again Steinbeck focuses on the inevitability of death in the cycle of life)Steinbeck uses this technique to strengthen the sense of the novel having come full circle. Just as in nature, where animals are born, live and die, so too do humans. Throughout the book, we have seen animal images used in connection to Lennie. Now, like Candy’s dog, Lennie is ‘put out of his misery’.Steinbeck chooses to finish his story in the same place that it started. The novel has shown us the brief life, and death, of one man.LennieIn this final section, we see more of Lennie’s character. The reader has a strong sense of foreboding about what will happen to him. Answer the questions below to test your understanding of Lennie’s character.Look at the way Lennie drinks from the river in this section. Why is this different from the way he drinks in Section One?What do you think the significance is of the two visions Lennie has?Why do you think Steinbeck chooses to have George shoot Lennie at the end of the book, rather than one of the other characters?Lennie remains an outsider throughout the novel, different to and separate from other people. What is Steinbeck saying about how society relates to outsiders?Dramatic TensionThere is a high level of dramatic tension in this section, as we reach the climax of the novel. The tension becomes especially high as George builds up to shooting Lennie. Find some quotations from this section that develop the dramatic tension. An example has been provided for you.'And the shouts of the men sounded again, this time much closer than before.'What is it about the way that Steinbeck writes this scene that creates a high level of dramatic tension? Here are some ideas:The story of the ‘dream farm’ is repeated again. This time, though, the reader knows that there is no chance of George and Lennie fulfilling their dream.George must shoot Lennie rather than allow the men to hurt him - he is forced to kill his closest friend.The other men are getting closer, and George must shoot Lennie before they arrive. The sound of the men approaching increases the tension, leading to the climax of the section.The American DreamThe themes of the novel are resolved in this section, particularly the men’s unfulfilled ‘American Dream’. Answer the questions below to show your understanding of this theme.Look at how Candy responds to Curley’s wife’s death in the previous section. Why does he start to cry?Now look at Lennie and George and their final discussion about the farm. Why is this the subject of the last conversation that they ever have?Do you think they ever stood a real chance of achieving their dream? What point do you think Steinbeck is making about the American dream?Monotony of a migrant farmer:What future awaits George? What does Carlson’s final comment of the novel suggest about the workers’’ lifestyle?Section 6: Society in ‘The Great Depression’Broken Dreams: How does this chapter highlight the lack of hope and broken dreams for many of the characters?Power / AuthorityConsider the brutality of Curley – how and why does he assert his power within this section?Consider Cultural context!The Great DepressionOutsiders:Why did George have to shoot Lennie? (Consider how difficult life was for Lennie within this society. Also make reference to the shooting of Candy’s dog and how these incidents parallel each other)Quiz1. What is the name of Slim’s dog? _______________________________________________________2. What is the name of Curley’s wife? _____________________________________________________3. What is the name of the river? _________________________________________________________4. What is the name of the nearest town? ___________________________________________________5. What does Lennie like with beans? _____________________________________________________6. What does Lennie like best? ___________________________________________________________7. Where did Lennie get into trouble? _____________________________________________________8. What is Lennie often compared to? _____________________________________________________9. In which part of the novel is Candy’s dog shot? ____________________________________________10. In which part of the novel do we hear most about Crooks? __________________________________11. In which part of the novel does Lennie hide in the brush? ___________________________________12. In which part of the novel does Curley’s wife first meet George? _____________________________13. Who says, “Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?” __________________________14. Who says, “I coulda made somethin’ of myself”? _________________________________________15. Who says, “You got no right to come in here”? ___________________________________________16. Who says, “Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world”? _____________The Plot: Of Mice and MenComplete the following timeline of events within the novel.Ch.Day & TimeLocationCharactersMain eventsTime the scene takes1Thursday evening2Bunkhouse3George, Slim, Whit, Carlson, Candy, Lennie, Curleyabout one hour4Saturday eveningCrooks talks to Lennie about himself and land, Candy joins in, Curley’s wife argues with them, George comes in and they leave.5Barnabout one hour6ClearingLennie, George, Slim, CarlsonAppearance and Characteristics:Character Profile: GeorgeBackground information:(family / occupation/ place in society/ dreams…)Key QuotesRelationships with other characters:Appearance and Characteristics:Character Profile: LennieBackground information:(family / occupation/ place in society/ dreams…)Key QuotesRelationships with other characters:Appearance and Characteristics:Character Profile: CandyBackground information:(family / occupation/ place in society/ dreams…)Key QuotesRelationships with other characters:Appearance and Characteristics:Character Profile: CrooksBackground information:(family / occupation/ place in society/ dreams…)Key QuotesRelationships with other characters:Appearance and Characteristics:Character Profile: CurleyBackground information:(family / occupation/ place in society/ dreams…)Key QuotesRelationships with other characters:Character Profile: Curley’s WifeAppearance and Characteristics:Background information:(family / occupation/ place in society/ dreams…)Key QuotesRelationships with other characters:232410032385Appearance and Characteristics:Character Profile: SlimBackground information:(family / occupation/ place in society/ dreams…)Key QuotesRelationships with other characters:Steinbeck explores many themes in his novel. They include:Dreams and plansMany of the characters in the novel have dreams and plans for the future. George, Lennie, Candy, Crooks and Curley’s wife all aspire to something. For these characters, it is these dreams which keep them going. The title of the novel is taken from a Robert Burns poem which says; ‘The best laid schemes o’ mice and men often go wrong.’ What are the dreams of the various characters? How do they go wrong? Why do you think Steinbeck chose this title?Friendship and lonelinessGeorge and Lennie are unusual because they ‘string along together’, even though their friendship is threatened by Lennie’s behaviour. The other characters tend to be alone, isolated, because of their lifestyle. What do you think Steinbeck is saying about the importance of friendship in the novel?Power The novel explores the issue of power through the character of Curley and the influence he has over the ranch hands and his wife. George also wields power over Lennie. Who has power over whom in the novel? What are the effects of this power?CyclesMuch of the plot in the novel is cyclical, as are the lives of the characters. The story opens and closes in the same place, the men’s lives are a routine of work - earn money - spend money in the flop-house - work, and many of the chapters begin and end in similar ways.Find examples of the ways Of Mice and Men is cyclical. Why do you think Steinbeck chose this cyclical style? How does it reflect the monotony of the characters’ lives? ................
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