Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

OfOf Mice Mice and Menand MenJohn SteinbeckJohn Steinbeck

An introduction to the novel and novelist

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The NovelistThe Novelist John Steinbeck( 1902-1968)John Steinbeck( 1902-1968) Known for his fiction –Known for his fiction – his novels about the Americanhis novels about the American ConditionCondition andand for his non fiction – his essays for his non fiction – his essayson many issues to do with American life,on many issues to do with American life, his philosophy and his beliefshis philosophy and his beliefs The Grapes of Wrath 1939 is The Grapes of Wrath 1939 is considered to be his greatest workconsidered to be his greatest work Worked as journalist, labourer,Worked as journalist, labourer, fruitpicker, scientist,caretakerfruitpicker, scientist,caretaker Pulitzer Prize for Grapes of WrathPulitzer Prize for Grapes of Wrath Nobel Prize - 1962Nobel Prize - 1962

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

One of a series of “classical” novels such One of a series of “classical” novels such as as Grapes of WrathGrapes of Wrath, , Cannery RowCannery Row, , East East ofof Eden, The Pearl, Sweet ThursdayEden, The Pearl, Sweet Thursday

The novel is set in Steinbeck’s own The novel is set in Steinbeck’s own familiar territory – he was born in familiar territory – he was born in SalinasSalinas

The novel deals with the issues dear to The novel deals with the issues dear to Steinbeck’s heart - poverty, Steinbeck’s heart - poverty, homelessness, the exploitation of homelessness, the exploitation of itinerant workers, the failure of the itinerant workers, the failure of the Dream, America’s general moral declineDream, America’s general moral decline

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The ManThe Man

19651965Steinbeck didn’t preach but he cared. Behind reporting things as he saw them, focusing on the small but telling experiences in life, he was also a moralist and idealist. All his life he was essentially an idealist; that is, he searched to find the essence of things, the meanings or patterns behind what he observed…. He looked away from himself, observing the commonplace and the common people in order to see the whole picture as a democratic vista as accurately as he could… to see the whole as clearly as possible and to see it with his heart as well as with his head.

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The TitleThe Title Taken from a line of poetry – the Scots Poet Robbie Taken from a line of poetry – the Scots Poet Robbie

Burns wrote:Burns wrote:

““The best laid schemes The best laid schemes of mice and menof mice and men gang aft agley”gang aft agley”

The best laid schemes of mice and The best laid schemes of mice and men often go wrong- referring to a men often go wrong- referring to a little mouse who had so carefully little mouse who had so carefully built her burrow in a field to built her burrow in a field to protect herself and her little mice protect herself and her little mice babies – and the burrow is turned babies – and the burrow is turned over and destroyed by the man over and destroyed by the man ploughingploughing

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Salinas ValleySalinas Valley

The

valley

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Salinas and SurroundsSalinas and Surrounds

SoledadSoledad

Soledad Mission- the area is now grape growing

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The Valley todayThe Valley today Steinbeck: Travels With CharleySteinbeck: Travels With Charley......            ""I remember Salinas, the town of my birth, I remember Salinas, the town of my birth,

when it proudly announced four thousand when it proudly announced four thousand citizens.  Now it is eighty thousand and citizens.  Now it is eighty thousand and leaping pell mell on in a mathematical leaping pell mell on in a mathematical progression - a hundred thousand in three progression - a hundred thousand in three years and perhaps two hundred thousand in years and perhaps two hundred thousand in ten, with no end in sight.  Even those people ten, with no end in sight.  Even those people who joy in numbers and are impressed with who joy in numbers and are impressed with bigness are starting to worry, gradually bigness are starting to worry, gradually becoming aware that there must be a becoming aware that there must be a saturation point and the progress may be a saturation point and the progress may be a progression toward strangulation."progression toward strangulation."

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The Beauty of SalinasThe Beauty of Salinas

Rich, fertile soilRich, fertile soil

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The Region TodayThe Region Today Salinas - Monterey Overview Salinas - Monterey Overview Located in the central coast region of California, Located in the central coast region of California,

Monterey County encompasses the fertile, Monterey County encompasses the fertile, agriculturally important Salinas Valley. The valley, agriculturally important Salinas Valley. The valley, framed by mountain ranges on the east and west, framed by mountain ranges on the east and west, runs the length of the county and is the site of most runs the length of the county and is the site of most of the agricultural activities in the county. The of the agricultural activities in the county. The north end of the Salinas Valley opens to the Pacific north end of the Salinas Valley opens to the Pacific Ocean, source of the marine influence that cools the Ocean, source of the marine influence that cools the valley and makes possible the wide range of crops valley and makes possible the wide range of crops found here. With a total value of over $1.9 billion, found here. With a total value of over $1.9 billion, Monterey County is the fourth highest agricultural Monterey County is the fourth highest agricultural producing county in California. The total land producing county in California. The total land devoted to agriculture is approximately 1.4 million devoted to agriculture is approximately 1.4 million acres, and irrigated land is around 220,000 acres.acres, and irrigated land is around 220,000 acres.

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

1930’s1930’s

A photo of the timeA photo of the time

and an ad – note the hoeand an ad – note the hoe

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Laguna Beach 1930’sLaguna Beach 1930’s

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The problemsThe problems

The dustbowl

unemployment

H. Hoover, President

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The DustbowlThe Dustbowl The clouds appeared on the horizons with a The clouds appeared on the horizons with a

thunderous roar. Turbulent dust clouds rolled in thunderous roar. Turbulent dust clouds rolled in generally from the North and dumped a fine silt generally from the North and dumped a fine silt over the land. Men, women and children stayed in over the land. Men, women and children stayed in their houses and tied handkerchiefs over their their houses and tied handkerchiefs over their noses and mouths. When they dared to leave, they noses and mouths. When they dared to leave, they added goggles to protect their eyes. Houses were added goggles to protect their eyes. Houses were shut tight, cloth was wedged in the cracks of the shut tight, cloth was wedged in the cracks of the doors and windows but still the fine silt forced its doors and windows but still the fine silt forced its way into houses, schools and businesses. During way into houses, schools and businesses. During the storms, the air indoors was "swept" with wet the storms, the air indoors was "swept" with wet gunny sacks. Sponges were used as makeshift gunny sacks. Sponges were used as makeshift "dust masks" and damp sheets were tied over the "dust masks" and damp sheets were tied over the beds.beds.

"The Dust Bowl, Men,  Dirt and Depression" by Paul Bonnifield.

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

InformationInformation

A summary - A summary - http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/summary.htmlhttp://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/summary.html

John Steinbeck Internet Pre Quiz John Steinbeck Internet Pre Quiz 1. National Steinbeck Center Site Location: 1. National Steinbeck Center Site Location: http://www.steinbeck.org/MainFrame.htmlhttp://www.steinbeck.org/MainFrame.html

Read the site information and create a timeline of at least 8 Read the site information and create a timeline of at least 8 events in the life of Steinbeck. Include when he received the events in the life of Steinbeck. Include when he received the Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes.Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes.

2. Steinbeck: A Brief Chronology Site Location: 2. Steinbeck: A Brief Chronology Site Location: http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/steinbec/chron.htmlhttp://www.sjsu.edu/depts/steinbec/chron.html

Predict what experiences Steinbeck might have drawn upon Predict what experiences Steinbeck might have drawn upon in his life to write Of Mice and Men. (Obviously, before in his life to write Of Mice and Men. (Obviously, before 1937.)1937.)

3. Of Mice and Men - Themes Site Location: 3. Of Mice and Men - Themes Site Location: http://www.englishresources.co.uk/workunits/ks4/fiction/http://www.englishresources.co.uk/workunits/ks4/fiction/

ofmicemen/smallheath/themes.htmlofmicemen/smallheath/themes.htmlWhat four themes from What four themes from Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men are explained at are explained at this site?this site?

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Come to..Come to..

Land Land

ofof

OpportunityOpportunity

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The Dream – the land of The Dream – the land of OpportunityOpportunity

““Give me your tired, your poor, your Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest tost Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me,to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” ( ( Emma Lazarus)Emma Lazarus)

Written on the base of the Statue of Written on the base of the Statue of Liberty Liberty

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The DreamThe Dream The American Dream The American Dream You can be successful if you work hard You can be successful if you work hard

and live morallyand live morally America is the land of opportunityAmerica is the land of opportunity Freedom to work hard and BE is Freedom to work hard and BE is

enshrined in the Constitutionenshrined in the Constitution Suggests it is a right, not a privilegeSuggests it is a right, not a privilege The Dream assumes equality of The Dream assumes equality of

opportunity, no discrimination, opportunity, no discrimination, freedom to follow goals and freedom freedom to follow goals and freedom from victimizationfrom victimization

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Animal Imagery of the Animal Imagery of the Novel- one of the symbolic Novel- one of the symbolic

aspects of the novelaspects of the novelTitle: Of Mice and MenTitle: Of Mice and Men Alliterative connection between mice and Alliterative connection between mice and

men – both subject to fate. Context of title men – both subject to fate. Context of title gives biggest clue of tragedy/pessimism gives biggest clue of tragedy/pessimism for the dreamfor the dream

Struggle for survival of subject of Burns’s Struggle for survival of subject of Burns’s poem – hints strongly at vulnerability – poem – hints strongly at vulnerability – powerful image of innocent helplessness powerful image of innocent helplessness against a much stronger force. Underlined against a much stronger force. Underlined in Lennie’s character in first chapterin Lennie’s character in first chapter

Simple logic. Dead mice in first chapter Simple logic. Dead mice in first chapter signals possible human tragedy, given the signals possible human tragedy, given the novel’s titlenovel’s title

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Animal Imagery in the Animal Imagery in the NovelNovel

Characterisation- LennieCharacterisation- Lennie Bear metaphor significant. Legendary strength. Bear metaphor significant. Legendary strength.

Bear hug – over-enthusiastic and therefore Bear hug – over-enthusiastic and therefore painful – pre-cursor to Curley’s wife incident. painful – pre-cursor to Curley’s wife incident. Bear-baiting is effectively the catalyst which Bear-baiting is effectively the catalyst which propels the plot towards its tragic conclusionpropels the plot towards its tragic conclusion

Lennie and mice both vulnerable – mice Lennie and mice both vulnerable – mice physically, Lennie emotionally- both are physically, Lennie emotionally- both are positioned as victimspositioned as victims

Lennie’s childlike “blubberin’”Lennie’s childlike “blubberin’” when mouse is thrown away is furtherwhen mouse is thrown away is further evidence of his emotional vulnerability, evidence of his emotional vulnerability, easily susceptible to exploitationeasily susceptible to exploitation

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Animal imagery in the Animal imagery in the NovelNovel

Where do the animal characteristics Where do the animal characteristics of George fit in?of George fit in?

How are we positioned to see him?How are we positioned to see him?

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Animal Imagery in the Animal Imagery in the NovelNovel

SettingSetting Mystery of events in Weed. Lennie petting girl’s Mystery of events in Weed. Lennie petting girl’s

dress, “jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse” – dress, “jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse” – trouble in the past – recurring cycle of events?trouble in the past – recurring cycle of events?

Rabbits run for cover when situation becomes Rabbits run for cover when situation becomes dangerous. Parallels with description of how “we dangerous. Parallels with description of how “we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day and…got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day and…sneak out in the dark.” Probability of this sneak out in the dark.” Probability of this happening again with tragic resulthappening again with tragic result

Tranquillity of setting is deceptive. Rabbits Tranquillity of setting is deceptive. Rabbits presented as innocent, cute and playful in their presented as innocent, cute and playful in their natural setting, but hint of calm before the storm natural setting, but hint of calm before the storm hallucinatory, grotesque rabbit of last chapterhallucinatory, grotesque rabbit of last chapter

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Animal Imagery in the Animal Imagery in the NovelNovel

References to the DiscoursesReferences to the Discourses Rabbits’ story represents the dream that Rabbits’ story represents the dream that

from the outset seems unrealisticfrom the outset seems unrealistic Other animals are used to paint picture of Other animals are used to paint picture of

land ownership and self-sufficiency, but land ownership and self-sufficiency, but since George is relating the story to the since George is relating the story to the childlike Lennie, there is the quality of childlike Lennie, there is the quality of fairytale set against struggle for survivalfairytale set against struggle for survival

Rabbits’ description at the end of chapter Rabbits’ description at the end of chapter one is used to eliminate possibility of any one is used to eliminate possibility of any aspect of dream having any realistic meaning aspect of dream having any realistic meaning – fantasy world of the imagination only – the – fantasy world of the imagination only – the Dream is an illusion for most peopleDream is an illusion for most people

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Clarifying the discourses of Clarifying the discourses of the novelthe novel

The Discourse of the DreamThe Discourse of the Dream The Discourse of the OutcastThe Discourse of the Outcast The Discourse of InjusticeThe Discourse of Injustice The Discourse of Responsibility of The Discourse of Responsibility of

the powerful…….the powerful……. The Discourse of Defeated hope……..The Discourse of Defeated hope……..The question to answer is: The question to answer is: How is How is

the Discourse privileged through the Discourse privileged through character construction?character construction?

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

The techniques available to an The techniques available to an authorauthor

Positioning the reader throughPositioning the reader through CharacterizationCharacterization Binary oppositionBinary opposition Foregrounding/ privileging of events and Foregrounding/ privileging of events and

responsesresponses Use of symbolUse of symbol Emotive language, emotive descriptionEmotive language, emotive description SilencesSilences GapsGaps Author intrusionAuthor intrusion …………....All of the above assist in the development of All of the above assist in the development of

discourse and dominant readingdiscourse and dominant reading

Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy

Review – choose one and Review – choose one and outline your discussionoutline your discussion

The novel deals with the discourses The novel deals with the discourses of despair, hope and the celebration of despair, hope and the celebration of the human spiritof the human spirit

In society, the victims are the ones In society, the victims are the ones who do not survive the demands of who do not survive the demands of societysociety

The novel addresses a number of The novel addresses a number of issues – among these are the issue of issues – among these are the issue of injustice and the victimisation of the injustice and the victimisation of the helplesshelpless

The American dream has failedThe American dream has failed