Of Mice and Men Y9

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‘Of Mice and Men’ Contrast, between mice and men. They are opposites in terms of size and stature. In society the status of mice is a low one, compared to men whose status is exceptionally high. Furthermore the title suggests that sexism could be an idea/ theme in the text as it is on mice and “men”.

The title informs the reader that this text is about hierarchy and gender. (The title was also influenced by Robert Burn’s poem “To a mouse”).

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AUTHOR

TIME

John Steinbeck was an American who was alive and lived in the same time in which he wrote. ‘Of Mice and Men’ highlights/ deals with the issues John Steinbeck cared about. His book is a  REALIST text

Steinbeck grew up in a wealthy family but spent time working on a ranch.

The book is set in the years directly after ‘The Great Depression’ in 1930s America/ California.

Location is “Soledad” firstly this hints at the languages spoken and the cultures present in the area, Soledad translated in English is Loneliness. By naming the setting “Soledad” , the reader understands that loneliness is a key idea in the text. Furthermore Steinbeck introduces the idea of loneliness in the very first sentence of his text, perhaps highlighting the loneliness felt by so many.

Steinbeck begins his text with a beautiful, detailed description of nature. The beautiful description of nature and the animals, contrasts with the negative and sad description of the “boys” and “tramps”, furthermore we are told the tramps travel “wearily”. The word choice/adverb of “wearily” suggests tiredness, hopeless and evokes sympathy from the reader.

Steinbeck’s description of the natural setting is beautiful and full of his pride in his native land.

“even in the open one stayed behind the other” – here there is hierarchy and clearly the one in front is in charge.

“restless eyes” – shows awareness of everything

“the way a bear drags his paws”

Metaphor Just as a bear is… so Lennie is being described as..”

Word Choice

“shoulders hung loosely” – implies lack of confidence, sadness, implies weakness this could also show they are worn down and perhaps are easy to target. It also suggests a lack of intelligence.

We are told that George “snapped the moisture off” his face. The word choice if “”snapped” suggests aggression, being short tempered and acts quickly. Furthermore it is alliterative and the sound is aggressive and highlights the violence in his movement.  

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Lennie:

“flung himself” Word choice

“snorting into the water like a horse”  SIMILE AND WORD CHOICE OF SNORTING

By now there is a clear established use of animal imagery when referring to Lennie. The use of animal imagery suggest about Lennie that he is…

Man vs. follower word choice of follower

George: “snapped” “sharply” the word choice showing George’s behaviour hints at his aggressive and harsh character

Repetition of “snort” – suggestions of animals but also innocence/ childishness

“Lennie dabbled his big paw”  - word choice of “dabbled” metaphor of “paw” also repetition of “paw” (judicious use of quotes)

 

Through the use of the language devices we are aware that Lennie is childish, of a lower status but also dangerous.

“Lennie wiggled his fingers” the word choice of “wiggled” has connotations of..

When we are told Lennie “imitated” George this shows he does not have a strong sense of self…

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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”

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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”

 

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Starter Task – What do we learn about George from his name surname ‘Milton’?

 

 By naming George after John Milton, Steinbeck is suggesting that George is… he is also linking George’s journey to the journey of Adam and Eve (as in  Paradise Lost) when they are expelled from the Garden of Eden showing that George’s journey is…

https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/o/of-mice-and-men/character-analysis/george-milton

Page 42 onwards

George describes Lennie as : “strong as a bull”. The simile is used as Just as a bull is…so Lennie is… (sense of danger is heightened)

The boss “squinted” his eye, the word choice of “squinted” suggests therefore Steinbeck is suggesting the boss is…

George speaks to Lennie : “viciously” the word choice of “viciously”  has suggestions of….This word choice shows us that George is..

“the dog struggled lamely”

Consider how people interact with each other/ how do the farm workers interact with each other?

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Steinbeck is introducing characters without their names highlighting their anonymity in society and lack of importance. Instead we learn of people’s ‘flaws’ e.g. a missing hand, old age – every aspect that makes someone a minority.

Candy’s dog: “he was a good sheepdog”

Curley: “glanced coldly” “eyes passed over”

Steinbeck introduces Slim by name (and Carlson) Slim is the first character to be introduced and named at the same time. This is significant.

The woman “Curley’s wife” is described as a “tart”.

Page 55 – a Tall Man

“he moved with a majesty” – The word choice of majesty has suggestions of royalty…

“prince of the ranch” – Just as a prince is…so Slim is…

Unlike any other character we learn of Slim’s name long before he enters the narrative.

“face was ageless”

George calls Lennie a “big bastard” to slim – alliteration of the plosive b

George calls Lennie a “big bastard”. Firstly the word “bastard” is derogatory, secondly the alliteration of the plosive “b” is a violent, harsh sound furthering George’s harsh treatment of Lennie.

“Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other”.