One Minute Essay

What examples of literary devices can you find in the opening pages of Of Mice and Men? How do these devices provide the reader with a vivid picture of George and Lennie and their environment?

Teacher-of-English.comOf Mice and Men

Chapter One1: Animal Imagery

Animal Imagery

Objectives:

• To develop knowledge and understanding of how Steinbeck uses animal imagery to convey character.

Can you find examples of animal imagery used in chapter one? When you find an example draw a sketch of the animal, jot down the quote, then

explain the effect the image creates. An example has been done for you below.

Animal Imagery

“he walked heavily, dragging his feet a

little, the way a bear drags his

paws.”

Lennie

Steinbeck compares Lennie to a bear for a number of reasons. Firstly, it describes

Lennie’s movement, the way he slowly plods

along behind George. Secondly it conveys

Lennie’s great size and strength and thirdly it

hints that although Lennie may look gentle

and placid he is potentially dangerous and capable of great

violence.

Animal Imagery

This table will help you keep track of the use of animal imagery in the novel. Stick this in your book and fill in as we go through the text.

Chapter

Page No.

Quotation Animal

Effect created

1 20 (Lennie) flung himself down and drank from the surface of the green pool; drank with long gulps, snorting into the water like a horse

horse Comparing Lennie to a horse emphasises his great size and strength. It also suggests that he is loyal and a good worker. Lennie is also simple minded, instinctive and innocent like an animal.

Teacher-of-English.comOf Mice and Men

Chapter One Living the Dream

Living the Dream

Objectives:

• To develop knowledge and understanding of the theme of dreams in Of Mice and Men

Remember this…?

The American Dream is the idea that everyone in the United States has the chance to achieve success and prosperity. It is a social ideal set out in the American Declaration of Independence, 4th July, 1776. It states:“all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”

The American Dream

Dreams are central to the social ideal of millions of Americans and despite the hardships and grinding poverty of the Great Depression George and Lennie cling on to their dream of a better life.

But what is George and Lennie’s dream?

Someday- we're gonna have a little house and a couple

of acres

we'll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and

chickens

When it rains in the winter, we'll just say the hell with goin' to

work, and we'll build up a fire in the stovewe're gonna get

the jack together and we're gonna have…a cow and some pigs

George and Lennie’s Dream

In Chapter One Steinbeck introduces us to George and Lennie’s dream. George talks about their plan to have a small farm with animals and crops, Lennie’s

job will be to look after the rabbits. The dream keeps George and Lennie going through hard times and is a source of

both comfort and hope.

“Livin’ off the fatta’ the lan’”

DreamsThis table will help you keep track of the theme of dreams in the novel. Stick it in your book then complete it as you read through the book.

Chapter Page

No.

Dream Character(s)

What it shows about the character(s)

1 32 To own a small farm, be free, happy and no longer poor

George & Lennie

George and Lennie dream of a better life – the dream gives them hope for the future.

Teacher-of-English.comOf Mice and Men

Chapter OneGot the Plot?

Got the plot?

Objectives:

• To consolidate knowledge and understanding of the plot of Chapter One

Complete the summary of Chapter One by filling in the gaps

The story so far

Of Mice and Men by _____ _____ is set in the state of _____ during the _____ _____ of the 19__s. It tells the story of two men, _____ and _____ migrant workers travelling around the _____ of California looking for _____.

Chapter One begins as _____ and _____ arrive at a clearing at the side of the _____ river. They are on their way to a _____ to work. The pair walk in single file with _____ at the front and _____ behind. The two men are very _____. George is _____ and _____ whilst Lennie is _____ and _____. George is in a ____ mood because of something Lennie did in _____. We discover that Lennie carries a _____ _____ in his pocket which he likes to _____ but George makes Lennie _____ _____.

The two friends decide to ______ __ for the night. George cooks _____ and Lennie asks George to tell him about the _____ that they hope to buy one day.

The story so farOf Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is set in the state of California during the Great Depression of the 1930s. It tells the story of two men, George and Lennie, migrant workers travelling around the ranches of California looking for work.

Chapter One begins as George and Lennie arrive at a clearing at the side of the Salinas river. They are on their way to a ranch to work. The pair walk in single file with George at the front and Lennie behind. The two men are very different. George is small and quick witted whilst Lennie is huge and has a learning disbility. George is in a bad mood because of something Lennie did in Weed. We discover that Lennie carries a dead mouse in his pocket which he likes to stroke but George makes Lennie throw it away.

The two friends decide to jungle up for the night. George cooks beans and Lennie asks George to tell him about the farm that they hope to buy one day.

Due Friday – complete all to be assessed. Homework

1. In the opening pages how does Steinbeck create an immediate contrast between George and Lennie? Use quotations in your answer.

2. Compare how Lennie and George drink the water. What does this scene tell us about each character?

3. Find examples in the opening pages where Lennie is compared to an animal. Explain how Steinbeck uses animal imagery to convey character.

4. Analyse George and Lennie’s dialogue in the opening chapter. Compare the grammar and sentence construction used by George with that used by Lennie.

5. How does Steinbeck suggest to the reader that the conversation about the dream farm has taken place many times before? What is the importance of this?

6. How does Lennie and George’s dream fit into the concept of the American Dream? Are their plans realistic or romantic?