About the Author John Steinbeck ( )

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1 Born in Salinas, California to a family of moderate means. Worked his way through Stanford University, but never graduated. Went to New York to be a freelance writer, but returned to California after he failed. Began his writing career once coming back to California. Steinbeck s books are social novels that deal with the economic problems of rural labor Major Works: Of Mice and Men, Grapes of Wrath, In Dubious Battle, Travels with Charley, The Red Pony, Tortilla Flat, and Cannery Row. Of Mice and Men is a story of shattered dreams About the Author John Steinbeck ( )

2 New Type of Literary Form Steinbeck created what is known as the play-novelette when writing OMAM. Character Development He develops the characters through speech and action, rather than letting the reader in on their thoughts. Setting Description He starts each scene, or chapter, with a description of the setting (similar to what you see when reading a play) Language within the play-novelette Purposeful use of figurative language and dialogue Steinbeck uses lots of imagery and metaphors when describing nature, but uses the vernacular (a way of talking to a certain group of people) when creating dialogue. The way characters speak is unrefined and realistic. Steinbeck uses many idioms, or expressions whose meaning must be learned as a whole and is not suggested by its parts. Example: An live off the fatta the land (14) meaning to live of the fat of the land, or having the best of everything. In the case of Lennie and George and their dream for a place of their own, it means that they believe they will be able to survive and prosper by simply relying on what they can grow and raise that the land is so fat they will need nothing else to be happy. Style of the Novel

3 Time and Place Takes place in Salinas, California on a small ranch near the Salinas River. Vivid descriptions of the area due to Steinbeck s upbringing in Salinas. Takes place shortly after the Great Depression when employment was scarce and people moved to find work (e.g. migrant workers/bindlestiffs) Action takes place over three days. How Setting Affects Plot While reading, notice the difference between the descriptions of natural scenes and barn scenes in comparison to the description of the bunkhouse. Setting of the Novel

4 George Milton Lennie Small Candy The boss Curley Curley s Wife Slim Carlson Whit Crooks Characters

5 Third-person objective POV Also known as dramatic POV Narrator only reports what can be seen and heard, like a camera. Audience is unaware of how the characters feel about themselves and others. Reader has to draw his or own conclusions. Point of View

6 Irony A special kind of contrast between appearance and reality usually one in which reality is opposite from what it seems. Situational, dramatic, and verbal. Symbolism Using a person, place, activity, or an object to stand for something beyond itself. Foreshadowing Writer s use of hints or clues to indicate events and situations that will occur to indicate events and situations that will occur later in the plot. Allusion Indirect reference to another literary work or to a famous person, place, or event. Figurative Language

7 Hopes and Dreams What does it mean to have realistic expectations when considering our hopes and dreams? How do one s hopes and dreams guide relationships? Friendship/Personal Relationships What are we willing to do for our friends? How important are friendships to our personal survival? Pursuit of the American Dream Is the American Dream realistic to all Americans? Loneliness How does loneliness affect the quality of our lives and the attainment of our goals? Role of Women in Society How does being a woman effect the character s portrayal? What is the commentary about the role of women in the United States? Themes