BY JOHN STEINBECK

Of Mice and Men

John Steinbeck

Born in 1902 in Salinas, CA

Attended Stanford University, never graduated

Wrote fiction and nonfiction

Won the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize for literature

Died in 1968

Some Books by Steinbeck

Red Pony (1933)Tortilla Flat (1935)Of Mice and Men (1937)In Dubious Battle (1936)The Grapes of Wrath (1939)Cannery Row (1945)The Wayward Bus (1947)The Pearl (1947)East of Eden (1952)Travels with Charley (1962)

Of Mice and Men Setting

Setting 1930’s During the Great

Depression On a small ranch

in Soledad near Salinas, CA

Great Depression

The Great Depression was a severe economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. It started about 1929 and lasted until around 1940.

Robert Burns – “To a Mouse”

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray”Small, sleek, cowering, timorous beast,O, what a panic is in your breast!You need not start away so hastyWith hurrying scamper!I would be loath to run and chase you,With murdering plough-staff.

I'm truly sorry man's dominionHas broken Nature's social union,And justifies that ill opinionWhich makes thee startleAt me, thy poor, earth born companionAnd fellow mortal!

I doubt not, sometimes, but you may steal;What then? Poor beast, you must live!An odd ear in twenty-four sheavesIs a small request;I will get a blessing with what is left,And never miss it.

Your small house, too, in ruin!It's feeble walls the winds are scattering!And nothing now, to build a new one,Of coarse grass green!And bleak December's winds coming,Both bitter and keen!

You saw the fields laid bare and wasted,And weary winter coming fast,And cozy here, beneath the blast,You thought to dwell,Till crash! the cruel plough pastOut through your cell.

That small bit heap of leaves and stubble,Has cost you many a weary nibble!Now you are turned out, for all your trouble,Without house or holding,To endure the winter's sleety dribble,And hoar-frost cold.

But Mouse, you are not alone,In proving foresight may be vain:The best laid schemes of mice and menGo often askew,And leaves us nothing but grief and pain,For promised joy!

Still you are blest, compared with me!The present only touches you:But oh! I backward cast my eye,On prospects dreary!And forward, though I cannot see,I guess and fear!

Slang Terms

1. bindle: a bed roll and/or pack of personal belongings.

2. jack: money

3. graybacks: lice

4. tick: mattress

5. buck: a man

6. buckler: those who move or load heavy objects (sacks of grain, for example)

7. jerkline: rope connecting the leading horse or mule with the brake, and held by the driver

8. skinner: a driver of a draft (team of animals)

9. tart: prostitute

Slang Terms

10. mules: shoes or slippers

11. found: free food and lodgings in addition to wages

12. hoosegow: jail

13. hame: part of the collar for a draft animal

14. booby hatch: insane asylum

15. floozy: cheap, immoral woman

16. snooker: a variation of pool played with 15 red balls and 6 balls of assorted colors

17. burlap ticking: thick canvas covers on bedding

18. swamper: cleaner

Characters

Protagonists George Lennie

Minor Characters Candy Slim Curley Curley’s Wife Crooks Carlson Boss Whit

While You Read…

Complete a character foldable for the following characters, listing character traits and representative quotes: George: 10 traits and TWO quotes (by him or about him) Lennie: 10 traits and TWO quotes (by him or about him) Slim: 5 traits and ONE quotes (by him or about him) Curley: 5 traits and ONE quotes (by him or about him) Curley’s Wife: 5 traits and ONE quotes (by her or about her) Crooks: 5 traits and ONE quotes (by him or about him)

Plot chart foldable: Describe the major events in the book as we read and discuss

them in class

After you Read: Chapter Summaries

At the end of each chapter you will be required:1. To write a summary of the chapter

Characters – describe new characters, what they did and so on.

Big events – what happened that was important in the chapter.

Favorite quote – pick one and say WHY2. To illustrate on a blank sheet of paper the

quote you picked. You MUST include the quote on the front and MUST be in COLOR!

Characters

GeorgeMain ProtagonistSmall manIntelligentHigh Moral StandardsCompassionateMigrant Worker who

dreams of owning a farmTakes Care of Lennie

Characters

LennieOther Main

ProtagonistMentally DisabledVery Large ManLoves soft, furry

animalsActs like a child

Minor Characters

Candy-old man, lost hand; friendly and helpful; afraid of being fired; contributes $ to the dream ranch

Slim-jerkline skinner; well-respected; friendly and compassionate

Curley-ranch boss’ son; small, quick; very jealous and possessive

Curley’s wife -doesn’t have a name; lonely, roving eye

Crooks-stable buck; experiences discrimination

Carlson-owns a gun; complains about Candy’s dog