Of_Mice_and_Men_2010_-_Teaching_Resources_21_-_30[1] by Georgina Black

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Disability in Of Mice and Men  In your own words, what is the definition of a ‘disability’? A disability is… ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ How can people be disabled? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Who has a disability in Of Mice and Men? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ How are people with disabilities treated in today’s society? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

 How were people with disabilities treated in the 1930s? In groups, each one of you will pick an internet research task from the three below. You will then all complete Task 4. You will have to feedback to each other on what you have learnt. Additionally, you will need to feedback to the class.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

 Task 1: How were disabilities looked at in the past?  Read the following article from 1937 about a mother who killed her son because he was an ‘imbecile’ or mentally disabled. Think about the following questions while you read the article:  How is the term ‘imbecile’ seen in today’s society? Would the term be used to describe mentally disabled people in today’s newspapers?  Thinking about the time period and how having a disability was a huge stigma, was the mother right or wrong to kill her son? Explain. __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

 Task 2: Go to the website and analyse what the campaign posters are saying about disabled people. http://www.disabilityhistory.org/dd_camp2.html  Write your analysis in the space provided.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

In the early 20th century, how did the UK Mental Deficency Act of 1913 categorise disabled people? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ What did Hitler want to happen to disabled people? How did he send his message? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ How were people with disabilities used as entertainment? List at least 3 ways. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

 Task 4: View any of the following websites to read an article about how a woman and her disabled daughter were viciously bullied.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Either: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6838691.ece or: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mother-killed-herself-and-daughter-incar-fire-1789423.html  Write a personal response to the article and think about the following questions: -

Was the mother justified in killing her daughter and herself?

From the 1930s, have peoples’ mentalities changed about people with disabilities?

Is there any solution in stopping prejudicial violence against the vulnerable?

What is your personal reaction?

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

"…You go on get outta my room. I ain’t wanted ... “ "Why

ain’t

you

wanted?"

Lennie

asked.

"’Cause I’m black…"

Some facts about the history of African Americans during the 1930s: •

Slavery was practiced in the Deep South of America until the end of the American Civil War in 1865.

•

The Yankee North beat the Confederate South; they destroyed the southern economy and forced them to free the slaves.

•

This did not mean an improvement for black people living in this area.

•

Although they were free, the Black Community were not allowed to live in the same areas, attend the same schools, eat in the same restaurants or travel on the same trains or buses as white people. Black and white people were segregated or separated. Black people, of course, had a lower quality of resources, education, etc.

•

Local laws made sure they remained second-class citizens.

•

Many black people were forced to take poorly paid jobs which left them as badly off as when they were slaves.

•

The police ignored the majority of crimes against black people, whilst it only took an accusation of a crime for a black person to be presumed guilty. Therefore, it was a white woman’s or man’s word over a back man’s; the white person was always believed and the black person suffered tremendously.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Crooks in Of Mice and Men  What does the quality of the water fountains say about the treatment of black people?  Crooks is named for his ‘crooked back’. He is ostracised or alienated at the ranch because of his race and is treated as a second-class citizen. Look at the following page numbers, and find quotes that show racism towards Crooks. Remember to explain why they are racist or cruel. Also, try to include information about the time period to support your evidence. Page 20 - Quote: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Pages 50 - Quote: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Pages 78-79 - Quote: ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

 Crooks expresses his feelings about racism and loneliness on several occasions. In some ways, he provides insight to the reality of the American Dream and the loneliness of the ranchers. Look at the following quotes from Crooks and analyse what his words say about his feelings towards his status in society: "If I say something, why it's just a nigger sayin' it" (p. 74)

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

"I remember when I was a little kid... had a strawberry patch. Had an alfalfa patch… Used to turn the chickens out on the alfalfa on a sunny morning" (p. 77) ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

 Some people may describe Crooks as being cynical, resentful and even coldhearted. Write a paragraph below, responding to the questions. Include quotes to support your answers. 1 - Why do you think people may think this way? 2 - How do you respond to Crooks? 3 - Where can we see that Crooks is actually vulnerable? 4 - Does he have reasons to be cynical? If so, what are the reasons? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

 Discuss, with a partner, who has it worse in society: Lennie or Crooks? Take a side and develop points on why your chosen person has it worse. Remember to include information about the time period to help you support your points.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The social hierarchy  Cut out and use the cards to rank who has the most power and the least power on the ranch. The person with the most power should be at the top. The person with the least amount of power should be at the bottom. Provide reasons for why he / she should have that ranking.  Find a person with a different ranking and discuss why he/she decided to use that ranking. See if you can convince each other of the ‘correct’ ranking.

Candy

George

Lennie

Curley

The Boss

Curley’s wife

Carlson

Crooks

Whit

Slim

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Narrative point-of-view and play-like features What is a ‘novella’?  A novella is a short novel that usually tells a moral or lesson. Viewpoint and play-like features  The novel is written in third person, but we are never told what anyone is thinking. Therefore, the reader needs to infer from dialogue and actions what the emotions of the characters are.  Of Mice and Men can be seen to have many elements of a play-like structure. Steinbeck even dramatized Of Mice and Men for the stage, and also the novella has been adapted to film. Can you think of why it resembles a play? Firstly, shower key elements in a play. Then, see if those elements exist in Of Mice and Men. Try to think of at least three reasons.

key elements in a play

 List the dramatic elements / features in Of Mice and Men : 1. 2. 3. 4.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Structure and plot What type of structure is used in Of Mice and Men? The structure of the text is cyclical, it is a circular novella. This means that the first and last chapters come full circle. Thinking about Lennie and George’s situation, why do you think Steinbeck chose to structure the novella in a circle? Think about what a circle represents or what terms like ‘vicious circle’ mean?

Chapter 1 The opening is set in a beautiful clearing by a stream.

Chapters 2 -5 The meat of the story is set on the ranch, inside, in either the bunkhouse, in Crooks' room or in the barn. At the beginning of each chapter, there is a description of the setting. Then, the sections largely focus on dialogue from the characters. There is no official viewpoint; therefore, Steinbeck wants the reader to draw his / her own conclusions. There is rising and falling action in each section, which leads to foreshadowing.

Chapter 6 The closing is set in a beautiful clearing by a stream.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

 For each chapter, write the setting and the important events for each chapter. You should have a maximum of 2-3 events for each chapter. Therefore, make sure

Chapter 1

Chapter 6

Chapter 2

Circular Novella

Chapter 5

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

your events hold significant meaning.

Analysing plot and structure What goes around, comes around ... 

George and Lennie are stuck; they can’t get ahead no matter how much they try.

This, of course, leads back to the title Of Mice and Men. Answer the questions below to see how events come full circle. How does the story begin and end? Think about the setting and the actions of the characters. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ In chapter 2, what does Lennie receive? In which chapter does the ‘inevitable’ happen? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

In chapter 2, what does George warn Lennie about? In which chapter does the ‘inevitable happen? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Chapter 3 begins with the hope of a bright future. Who ruins the mood? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Chapter 4 begins with the hope of a bright future. Who ruins the mood? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Foreshadowing  Foreshadowing is a technique used by the author to give hints to the reader about what will happen later in the text. The author may use symbolism, dialogue, metaphors, actions or other technques to ‘tip the reader off’. Some critics have claimed that Steinbeck has used too many hints to give away the ending.  Can you think of hints that Steinbeck gives about what will happen in the end? Try to think of nine. 1. 2. 3.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Foreshadowing and symbolism  Certain aspects of the novella represent and foreshadow what happens in chapter six. What do the following represent and foreshadow? Candy’s dog  "Got no teeth, he's all stiff with rheumatism. He ain't no good to you, Candy. An' he ain't no good to himself. Why'n't you shoot him, Candy?" (49). ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Solitaire  George plays it all of the time ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The dead mouse and puppy ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ The death of Curley’s wife ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ The heron killing the water snake ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

The ending Learning Objective: To be able to comment on the ending of the novella in terms of Steinbeck’s use of form, structure and setting.  Read from: 'George came quietly out of the brush …’ to the end of the novel. The pool by the river is the place where Lennie and George’s story begins and ends. It is a safe sanctuary and a place free from the prejudices of the rest of the world, where Lennie and George can be themselves. This is where the story was born, and also where the dream farm and Lennie meet their end. Although the first chapter and the last chapter share the same setting, there are some obvious differences between the two chapters.  Fill out the Venn Diagram below to illustrate these differences and similarities.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Chapter 1

Chapter 6

Why does Steinbeck begin and end the novella in the same place? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ In Chapter 1, Steinbeck mentions a heron, rabbits and other animals. What might these images symbolise? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ In Chapter 6, Steinbeck then describes how a heron kills a water snake. What is the significance of this image? What does it represent? What does it foreshadow? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ In his solitude and overwhelming fear and sadness, Lennie begins to have hallucinations about his Aunt Clara and a rabbit. How does Steinbeck use imagery to communicate Lennie’s state of mind in this section? Hint: Think about what the rabbit represents in the beginning, and throughout the novella. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ “Ain’t you gonna give me hell?” Why do you think Lennie wants George to do this at this point in the novel? How does Steinbeck present George here? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ‘The wind waves flowed up the green pool’. Comment on Steinbeck’s choice of image here, as the men get nearer to George and Lennie. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Why do you think George talks about the farm as he shoots Lennie? How does this conclude the theme of ‘dreams’?

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ If George didn’t kill Lennie, what would have happened to him? Consider the context of the novella. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Was George’s decision an act of love or selfishness? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Comment on Slim’s reaction to what George has done. How is this consistent with his character throughout? Link this to the shooting of Candy’s dog. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

The last lines of the novel are famous. Think of as many reasons as you can for why Steinbeck chooses to end the novel in this way, and why the ending might fit in so well. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Quotes from Chapter 6

‘All the time he coulda had such a good time if it wasn’t for you…But he had to take care of you’. ‘Ill find a cave an’ I’ll live there so I won’t be no more trouble to George.’ ‘You’re always saying that, an’ you know sonofabitching well you ain’t never gonna do it.’ ‘He’s sick of you,’ said the rabbit. ‘He’s gonna beat hell outta you an’ then go away an’ leave you.’ ‘I done another bad thing.’ ‘It don’t make no difference,’ George said. ‘He said woodenly, ‘If I was alone I could live so easy.’ His voice was monotonous.’

Analysis

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

‘An’ I got you. We got each other, that’s what, that gives a hoot in hell about us.’

‘You…an’ me. Ever’body gonna be nice to you. Ain’t gonna be no more trouble.

‘No, Lennie. I ain’t mad. I never been mad, an’ I ain’t now. That’s a thing I want ya to know.’

‘You hadda, George I swear you hadda.’

‘Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?’

The ending and George

 How do you feel about George’s decision to shoot Lennie? Was it the right thing

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

to do?  Take 6 minutes to discuss your opinions with your partner. Justify your view. Support your view with evidence from the text and / or your notes on context.  Share your ideas with the rest of the class.

“You hadda, George. I swear you hadda.” The ending and George Using the ideas from your earlier discussions, complete the table below.

George was right to shoot Lennie

George was wrong to shoot Lennie

because…

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Debating the ending  In pairs you are going to use the ideas above to debate the ending of Of Mice and Men. One of you will be Person A and the other Person B. You will then have fifteen minutes to prepare your arguments to convince the other person. Person A will try to convince person B that George was right to kill Lennie. Person B will then present the argument that George should not have killed Lennie. Three pairs will be picked at random to perform their debate to the class. The class will then decide which partner’s argument was most effective. Useful Quotations •

‘Lennie, who had been watching, imitated George exactly’.

•

‘An’ you ain’t gonna do no bad things like you done in Weed, neither.’

•

‘I could get along so easy and so nice if I didn’t have you on my tail.’

•

‘You can’t keep a job and you lose me ever’ job I get.’

•

‘If them other guys gets in jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.’

•

‘...I can let you tend the rabbits all right. ‘Specially if you remember as good as that.’

•

‘I’m goin’,’ he said. ‘I’m gonna shoot the guts outa that big bastard myself...’

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

•

‘No, Lennie. I ain’t mad. I never been mad, an’ I ain’t now. That’s a thing I want you to know.’

•

‘The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger’.

•

‘Slim said, ‘You hadda, George. I swear you hadda. Come on with me.’

Censorship  Of Mice and Men has been frequently banned and challenged for its ‘offensive’ and ‘vulgar’ language. It has also been attacked for including controversial ideas and depictions of racism, euthanasia and disability. One censor called the book ‘of no literary value’.  In pairs, discuss the following statement and come to a conclusion on whether it is right or wrong to censor:

‘The word ‘nigger’ can be seen throughout Of Mice and Men’. Today, that word is very offensive, and I don’t think my daughter should be forced to read and say that word. It promotes racism, and I think that is despicable.’

 Are there any other words in Of Mice and Men that should be censored?  Discuss your thoughts and opinions with your classmates. Think about gender, race and social status.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck