For which character in ‘Of Mice and Men’ do you have the most sympathy? Show how John Steinbeck’s presentation of your chosen character creates sympathy for him or her?

The Big Question

Our learning journey – where are we going?

Understand how to analyse language and evaluate the impact of a text.

And…how are we going to get there?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Use the PEE method (Point, Evidence, Explanation) to structure your answer.

Zoom in and zoom out of details from the text.

?

ANALYSING – Zooming in

Extreme close up

Allows you to examine tiny details and discuss how writers use language/techniques.

Focus on single words or short phrases.

EVALUATION – Zooming out

Wide shotAllows you to see the

‘big picture’ and discuss how the writer’s use of language/techniques help us to understand their intentions.

- Considers how the small details fit into the text as a whole.

Let’s take apart the thinking process…

For which character in ‘Of Mice and Men’ do you have the most sympathy? Show how John Steinbeck’s presentation of your chosen character creates sympathy for him or her?

Curley’s wife is a far more complicated character than the simple ‘floozy’ she is described as being in the novel. While she regularly appears flirtatious in the way she talks to the other men, her need for attention is born out of her deep feelings of loneliness. However, to the men she represents the ruin of their dreams, and so we see their misogynistic attitude in the way they constantly criticize and reject her. She is a character who deserves our sympathy, no more so than at the end of the novel when in death her innocence is finally revealed.

Always start with the text in your mind

Candy says ‘viciously, “You done it, di’nt you?”’

To establish your point, put the quotation/evidence in context:

When and to who does Candy say this?Why?

You’ve made your point; now build your explanation

Candy blames Curley’s wife – lying dead in front of him - for wrecking the dream, venting his hatred for her as he says ‘viciously, “You done it, di’nt you?”’

His words are direct and filled with bitterness. He repeatedly uses the second person pronoun ‘you’, making his tone accusing and pinpointing his anger specifically at her. His futile question almost puts words into the dead body’s mouth, as if trying to force a false confession.

Zoom in

Building your explanation – Zoom out (Steinbeck’s

reasons for creating this character)

Candy blames Curley’s wife – lying dead in front of him - for wrecking the dream, venting his hatred for her as he says ‘viciously, “You done it, di’nt you?”’ His words are direct and filled with bitterness. He repeatedly uses the second person pronoun ‘you’, making his tone accusing and pinpointing his anger specifically at her. His futile question almost puts words into the dead body’s mouth, as if trying to force a false confession.

Curley’s wife cannot be held responsible for her own death: Steinbeck always presented her as an underdog at the bottom of the social hierarchy, not having her own name and referring to her as simply one of Curley’s possessions. Curley’s wife often takes the brunt of the men’s frustration with their mundane existence. Because of the financial and emotional investment agreed with George and Lennie to jointly pursue the dream of a small piece of land, Candy fails to focus the blame more justly on Lennie. Steinbeck is showing that Curley’s wife is a victim of the brutal and harsh life on the ranch which makes his characters mean spirited and ungenerous.

And the final paragraph looks a little something like this…

Candy blames Curley’s wife – lying dead in front of him - for wrecking the dream, venting his hatred for her as he says ‘viciously, “You done it, di’nt you?”’ His words are direct and filled with bitterness. He repeatedly uses the second person pronoun ‘you’, making his tone accusing and pinpointing his anger specifically at her. His futile question almost puts words into the dead body’s mouth, as if trying to force a false confession. Curley’s wife cannot be held responsible for her own death: Steinbeck always presented her as an underdog at the bottom of the social hierarchy, not having her own name and referring to her as simply one of Curley’s possessions. Curley’s wife often takes the brunt of the men’s frustration with their mundane existence. Because of the financial and emotional investment agreed with George and Lennie to jointly pursue the dream of a small piece of land, Candy fails to focus the blame more justly on Lennie. Steinbeck is showing that Curley’s wife is a victim of the brutal and harsh life on the ranch which makes his characters mean spirited and ungenerous.

D

C

B

B/A

A/A*

Reflecting on what we’ve done today…

• How has today’s lesson changed or improved the way you approach analysis?

• What are you still unsure about?

• What will you remember most from this lesson?

Quotations

• ‘So her body was thrown forward.’ • ‘I think Curley’s married... a tart.’ • ‘Well you keep your trap shut then, Nigger.

I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain’t even funny.’

• ‘an’ a guy tol’ me he could put me in pitchers.’

• . ‘I coulda made somethin' of myseIf... maybe I will yet.'

• . ‘I married Curley. Met him out to the Riverside Dance that same night.'

• ‘I don’t like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella.’ (Use with above).

• ‘Think I don’t know where they all went? Even Curley. I know where they all went.'

• ‘The meanness and the planning and the discontent and the ache for attention were all gone from her face.’

• ‘She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young.

• . ‘Now her rouged cheeks and her reddened lips made her seem alive.’

• all ‘the curls, tiny little sausages,’

• See my Curley’s wife sheet for more suggestions.

• Reminder print off the Thinking ladder to give to pupils for AfL purposes.