250417

Cyclical structure – structure is the placing of things/ sequences/ focus and if it shifts. The cyclical structure shows that society doesn’t change and the hierarchy present will remain in place.

Lennie is inferior to George and is the child in the relationship.

“Slowly like a terrier who doesn’t want to bring the ball back to his master”. Lennie is described in this way. Lennie is being described as a dog and possibly suggests George’s attempts to train him.

Lennie and George are opposites as shown in the contrasting description of their features.

Lennie’s actions of picking up and holding the mouse and begging to keep it are childish.

George is paternal figure.

Lennie perhaps is lacking a childhood.

The death of the mouse introduces the theme of death but also danger, and we realise Lennie’s lack of self control, this also was shown when he was earlier described as a “bear” and his hands as “paws”.

Just as a bear is… so Lennie is..

Key points: Relationship between Lennie and George/ Characterisation of Lennie

Chapter 2:

“floors unpainted”

List of articles with “soap” first

“apple box nailed to the wall”

Repetition of “nails”

260417

The bunkhouse is described like a prison “nails” “small, square windows” “long rectangular building”  Steinbeck is suggesting that the ranch workers are trapped/ incarcerated.

There is a sense of lack of safety in the description “nails”.

The sense of danger pervades the book.

There is a lack of trust between the ranch workers and a lack of honest.

George is intelligent. We see this when we are told he “inspected “ the bed. The word choice of inspect has suggestions of…

The adverb “neatly” shows George is…

Racism is a main theme in the text. We see this through the word choice of “nigger” and also its repetition.

Of Mice and Men is a story of minorities.

Crooks “reads a lot of book” from this we can infer that he is independent and education is important to him.

The repetition of the word “nigger” perhaps emphasises the high level of racism prevalent in the society.

“he paused in relish of the memory”

People in the society are selfish and uncaring towards each other.

“the boss squinted his eyes” the word choice of “squinted” suggests … The shows the boss is…

“George Milton”

“Lennie Small”