Post on 23-Feb-2016
description
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…