John Steinbeck and Of Mice and

Men

John Steinbeck1902-1968

“[The writer’s first duty was to] set down his time as nearly as he can understand it [and serve as] the

watch-dog of society…to satirize its silliness, to attack its injustices, to

stigmatize its faults.”

Think about what this means. When I tell you, discuss with a partner. Be prepared to share with

the class.

John Steinbeck

Born in 1902 in Salinas, California

Attended Stanford University 1919-1925, though he never graduated

Received a Pulitzer Prize for The Grapes of Wrath about a family of farmers who are trying to escape the Dust Bowl

Focused his writing on the lives of American migrant workers

Of Mice and Men

From a Robert Burns poem:

The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ menGang aft a-gley, [often go awry]An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,For promised joy.

Of Mice and Men

Originally titled “Something that Happened”

Set in the Salinas Valley

Follows two migrant workers, George and Lenny, as they spend 3 days working on a farm

Of Mice and Men

Written in play-novelette form Easily adapted into a play Most of events and motivations of

characters are revealed through dialogue

Substantial vulgar language Realistic Empathy for characters

Of Mice and Men

Parts are written in lyrical style with naturalistic imagery that describes the beauty of the valley

Example:

“A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green. The water is warm, too…” (1)

Transitions to naturalistic style focusing on dialogue

Example:

“Lennie!” he said sharply. “Lennie, for God’s sakes, don’t drink so much.” Lennie continued to snort form the pool. The small man leaned over and shook him by the shoulder. “Lennie. You gonna be sick like you was last night.”

Of Mice and Men

Given what you know about the

Dust Bowl and Steinbeck’s tendency to write about migrant workers, why do you think he began each chapter with a lyrical description and then transitioned into a realistic description of farm life? Be prepared to discuss your answers.

In your journals…