““Of Mice and Men” paper Of Mice and Men” paper assignmentassignment

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LITERARY ANALYSISLITERARY ANALYSIS

There are several concepts we can There are several concepts we can explore as we consider how to explore as we consider how to analyze analyze Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men . Let’s . Let’s look at some of these.look at some of these.

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Potential themes in Potential themes in seminar questionsseminar questions

LonelinessLoneliness The importance of The importance of

dreamsdreams DiscriminationDiscrimination FriendshipFriendship

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Let’s choose one of Let’s choose one of these themes to these themes to consider: lonelinessconsider: loneliness

Who or what illustrates Who or what illustrates this theme in the this theme in the novel?novel?

Candy, after his dog Candy, after his dog is shot.is shot.

Curley’s wife, who is Curley’s wife, who is just looking for just looking for someone to talk to.someone to talk to.

Crooks, who lives Crooks, who lives alone with little alone with little interaction with other interaction with other people.people.

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Let’s expand these a little more:Let’s expand these a little more:

Candy:Candy: He has only his dog as his one companion. Upon the dog’s death, he He has only his dog as his one companion. Upon the dog’s death, he has no one, and therefore, attaches himself to George and Lennie’s has no one, and therefore, attaches himself to George and Lennie’s dream. He does not want to end up an outcast and alone. Even after dream. He does not want to end up an outcast and alone. Even after Lennie kills Curley’s wife, Candy clings to the dream out of desperate fear Lennie kills Curley’s wife, Candy clings to the dream out of desperate fear that he will end up alone.that he will end up alone.

Curley’s wife:Curley’s wife: She is so overwhelmed by her loneliness, she seeks She is so overwhelmed by her loneliness, she seeks friendship from the other men, including (as a last resort) Lennie, for none friendship from the other men, including (as a last resort) Lennie, for none of the other men want anything to do with her. “Think I don’t like to talk to of the other men want anything to do with her. “Think I don’t like to talk to somebody ever’ once in a while?”somebody ever’ once in a while?”

Crooks:Crooks: He feels “a guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no He feels “a guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. Don’t make no difference who the guy is, long’s he with you.” Crooks would work for difference who the guy is, long’s he with you.” Crooks would work for nothing, as long as he can communicate with others.nothing, as long as he can communicate with others.

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What we have done here is form a basis for a literary analysis of What we have done here is form a basis for a literary analysis of Of Mice and Of Mice and MenMen,concentrating on the theme of loneliness. ,concentrating on the theme of loneliness.

How would we begin this analysis? First, we have to come up with a thesis How would we begin this analysis? First, we have to come up with a thesis statement, or a “controlling purpose” regarding loneliness. We start by statement, or a “controlling purpose” regarding loneliness. We start by deciding what we know from our reading about loneliness:deciding what we know from our reading about loneliness:

It is a constant threat that George and Lennie fight: “Guys like us are the It is a constant threat that George and Lennie fight: “Guys like us are the loneliest guys in the world … they don’t belong no place … They ain’t got loneliest guys in the world … they don’t belong no place … They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to.” Lennie fights this with, “But not us! … because I nothing to look ahead to.” Lennie fights this with, “But not us! … because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you…” (14).got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you…” (14).

At the ranch, loneliness is part of the workers’ lives and especially At the ranch, loneliness is part of the workers’ lives and especially Candy’s, Crooks’, and Curley’s wife’s. They are so used to this loneliness, Candy’s, Crooks’, and Curley’s wife’s. They are so used to this loneliness, others on the ranch suspect something funny about the closeness of others on the ranch suspect something funny about the closeness of George and Lennie (for example, the boss thinks George is taking George and Lennie (for example, the boss thinks George is taking Lennie’s pay). Lennie’s pay).

George knows that without Lennie’s companionship, he will be doomed to George knows that without Lennie’s companionship, he will be doomed to a terribly lonely and unfulfilling life. a terribly lonely and unfulfilling life.

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So can we create a thesis statement out of that, reflecting the So can we create a thesis statement out of that, reflecting the theme of loneliness? (Note: Theme is what a story theme of loneliness? (Note: Theme is what a story revealsreveals.).)

Maybe it could look something like this:Maybe it could look something like this:

““Loneliness is a harmful thing many characters in the book Loneliness is a harmful thing many characters in the book experience. The story shows that all humans need experience. The story shows that all humans need companionship, or else they get emotionally sick.” companionship, or else they get emotionally sick.”

That thesis statement could be the main part of our That thesis statement could be the main part of our introduction. What else does an introduction need? introduction. What else does an introduction need?

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In addition to a thesis statement, an In addition to a thesis statement, an introduction ideally includes:introduction ideally includes:

An attention-getting first sentence. An attention-getting first sentence. The name of the author and the title of the The name of the author and the title of the

book.book. A preview of points that will be used to A preview of points that will be used to

support the theme.support the theme.

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Let’s think of an attention-getter, based on Let’s think of an attention-getter, based on the theme of loneliness and how it can the theme of loneliness and how it can make us emotionally sick. How about a make us emotionally sick. How about a metaphor:metaphor:

Loneliness is a virus that can devour the Loneliness is a virus that can devour the human spirit.human spirit.

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Now let’s add our other elements:Now let’s add our other elements:

Loneliness is a virus that can devour the human Loneliness is a virus that can devour the human spirit. This sickness devastates many of the emotionally spirit. This sickness devastates many of the emotionally malnourished characters in John Steinbeck’s malnourished characters in John Steinbeck’s heartbreaking novel, heartbreaking novel, Of Mice and Men. Of Mice and Men. Candy, the aged Candy, the aged and disabled swamper, is consumed by the loss of his and disabled swamper, is consumed by the loss of his only companion, his dog. Curley’s wife, ignored by her only companion, his dog. Curley’s wife, ignored by her husband and seen by the other ranch hands as a trouble-husband and seen by the other ranch hands as a trouble-making tart, is starved for attention. Denied friendship, making tart, is starved for attention. Denied friendship, Crooks wastes away alone in his room – and shows Crooks wastes away alone in his room – and shows more than any other character how loneliness eats away more than any other character how loneliness eats away at the human soul. at the human soul.

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We have accomplished our goals:We have accomplished our goals:

An attention getterAn attention getter A clear thesis statementA clear thesis statement Introduction of pointsIntroduction of points

As an added bonus, this paragraph has a theme: emotional starvation. Think As an added bonus, this paragraph has a theme: emotional starvation. Think of all the words or phrases that go with eating:of all the words or phrases that go with eating:

DevourDevour MalnourishedMalnourished ConsumedConsumed StarvedStarved eat awayeat away wastes away (usually refers to losing weight due to illness)wastes away (usually refers to losing weight due to illness)

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What if we wanted to choose another theme or maybe something What if we wanted to choose another theme or maybe something besides theme to write about?besides theme to write about?

Alternate theme: DreamsAlternate theme: DreamsAttention getter: Everyone has a dream that gives him or her Attention getter: Everyone has a dream that gives him or her

something to live for.something to live for.

Thesis statement: Dreams play an important role in John Steinbeck’s Thesis statement: Dreams play an important role in John Steinbeck’s novel novel Of Mice and Men, Of Mice and Men, which includes characters who illustrate which includes characters who illustrate how dreams are often crucial to survival in a hostile and lonely how dreams are often crucial to survival in a hostile and lonely world.world.

Points: This is demonstrated through George and Lennie’s dream to Points: This is demonstrated through George and Lennie’s dream to buy some land of their own; Candy’s dream to join George and buy some land of their own; Candy’s dream to join George and Lennie so Candy won’t end up outcast and alone; and Curley’s Lennie so Candy won’t end up outcast and alone; and Curley’s wife’s dream to become a starlet. wife’s dream to become a starlet.

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What about something besides theme? Let’s try looking at What about something besides theme? Let’s try looking at the literary device of foreshadowing, as shown in this the literary device of foreshadowing, as shown in this essay by a freshman last year:essay by a freshman last year:

Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is a heart-by John Steinbeck is a heart-wrenching novel about two migrant workers living wrenching novel about two migrant workers living during the Great Depression, sharing the dream of during the Great Depression, sharing the dream of owning a farm to call their own. Even before the ending, owning a farm to call their own. Even before the ending, however, there are clues to show that this dream is not however, there are clues to show that this dream is not to be, including three important examples of to be, including three important examples of foreshadowing: the dead mice, Lennie’s conversation foreshadowing: the dead mice, Lennie’s conversation with Crooks, and the death of Candy’s dog.with Crooks, and the death of Candy’s dog.

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Here’s another one about foreshadowing from a freshman:Here’s another one about foreshadowing from a freshman:

The natural beauty of Western California serves as a The natural beauty of Western California serves as a setting of contrast to the lives of Depression-era ranch workers setting of contrast to the lives of Depression-era ranch workers Lennie Small and George Milton, the protagonists in Lennie Small and George Milton, the protagonists in Of Mice Of Mice and Men and Men by John Steinbeck. Part of that beauty is George and by John Steinbeck. Part of that beauty is George and Lennie’s dreams of the future, including owning their own farm. Lennie’s dreams of the future, including owning their own farm. However, the ugly reality is that the dream is doomed. However, the ugly reality is that the dream is doomed. Steinbeck uses foreshadowing to give the reader a hint that the Steinbeck uses foreshadowing to give the reader a hint that the dream won’t happen, especially through animals. He uses dream won’t happen, especially through animals. He uses dead mice, a dead puppy, and a heron and snake to show that dead mice, a dead puppy, and a heron and snake to show that George and Lennie’s dream is not meant to be.George and Lennie’s dream is not meant to be.

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Writing in present tenseWriting in present tense

Because literature is timeless, it is written about in Because literature is timeless, it is written about in present tense. For example, George and Lennie present tense. For example, George and Lennie are on an endless quest for their dream because are on an endless quest for their dream because the story starts anew each time a new reader the story starts anew each time a new reader picks up the book. They are forever in the picks up the book. They are forever in the circumstances of the book. To a new reader, circumstances of the book. To a new reader, Lennie Lennie isis mentally challenged, not mentally challenged, not waswas. Even after . Even after you finish reading the book, Slim still you finish reading the book, Slim still movesmoves with with the majesty of a master craftsman. the majesty of a master craftsman.

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So let’s look at some samples of how the So let’s look at some samples of how the world in the book is caught in time. It world in the book is caught in time. It never ends.never ends.

Original: When Lennie Original: When Lennie killedkilled the mice the mice and puppy, when Carlson and puppy, when Carlson killedkilled Candy’s Candy’s dog, and when the heron dog, and when the heron ateate the snake; the snake; this all this all foreshadowedforeshadowed what what happenedhappened to to Lennie at the end. Lennie at the end.

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Notice how all of the verbs or action words are in the past Notice how all of the verbs or action words are in the past tense: tense: killedkilled the mice; the mice; killedkilled Candy’s dog; the heron Candy’s dog; the heron ateate the the snake; all snake; all foreshadowedforeshadowed what what happenedhappened to Lennie. to Lennie.

The solution: simply convert the verbs to present tense.The solution: simply convert the verbs to present tense.

Revised: When Lennie Revised: When Lennie killskills the mice and puppy, when the mice and puppy, when Carlson Carlson killskills Candy’s dog, and when the heron Candy’s dog, and when the heron eatseats the the snake; this all snake; this all foreshadowsforeshadows what what happenshappens to Lennie at the to Lennie at the end. end.

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Now you try one:Now you try one:

Original: George and Lennie had more Original: George and Lennie had more than just a friendship; they were different than just a friendship; they were different than any other ranch workers.than any other ranch workers.

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Your correction should look like this:Your correction should look like this:

George and Lennie George and Lennie havehave more than just more than just a friendship; they a friendship; they areare different than any different than any other ranch workers. other ranch workers.

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OK, your next challenge: writing in third person. This OK, your next challenge: writing in third person. This simply means taking “I,” “we,” “us,” “my,” “mine,” and simply means taking “I,” “we,” “us,” “my,” “mine,” and “our” out of your writing. Those are first-person words.“our” out of your writing. Those are first-person words.

In this type of paper, you need to write in third person. In this type of paper, you need to write in third person. Think of it as becoming a professional critic for this Think of it as becoming a professional critic for this paper. You don’t need to say things like “I think.” It’s paper. You don’t need to say things like “I think.” It’s implied that implied that you knowyou know. Does it make your opinion the . Does it make your opinion the only right one? No, but this is your reading of the book. only right one? No, but this is your reading of the book. When someone reads your paper, you become a When someone reads your paper, you become a source who knows what you are saying. source who knows what you are saying.

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First-person example:First-person example:

Friendship can teach Friendship can teach usus some strange but some strange but meaningful lessons.meaningful lessons.

Solution: Simply remove “us.”Solution: Simply remove “us.”

Friendship can teach some strange but Friendship can teach some strange but meaningful lessons.meaningful lessons.

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Now you try changing one from first Now you try changing one from first person to third person:person to third person:

My final example is a little more vague. My final example is a little more vague. Just before the scene where George kills Just before the scene where George kills Lennie, a heron snatches a snake out of Lennie, a heron snatches a snake out of the water.the water.

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You could have done something like this:You could have done something like this:

Although not as obvious, the encounter Although not as obvious, the encounter between the heron and the snake between the heron and the snake provides a meaningful illustration of provides a meaningful illustration of foreshadowing.foreshadowing.

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Putting the text to workPutting the text to work

In this form of writing, it’s very effective (and in In this form of writing, it’s very effective (and in this assignment, required) to use passages this assignment, required) to use passages from the book to help support your points. This from the book to help support your points. This not only provides “evidence” for your points, it not only provides “evidence” for your points, it also adds multiple voices to your writing (as also adds multiple voices to your writing (as long as you don’t overdo it).long as you don’t overdo it).

Let’s see how this works. Let’s say we’re still Let’s see how this works. Let’s say we’re still writing our paper about Crooks.writing our paper about Crooks.

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The effects of this isolation become clear whenThe effects of this isolation become clear whenCrooks confides in Lennie during a poignant moment inCrooks confides in Lennie during a poignant moment inCrooks’s room. Lennie’s mental retardation and shortCrooks’s room. Lennie’s mental retardation and shortmemory span gives Crooks the confidence to bare hismemory span gives Crooks the confidence to bare hissoul without fear of getting in trouble. After painting asoul without fear of getting in trouble. After painting aterrifying picture for Lennie of life without George –terrifying picture for Lennie of life without George –who Lennie travels with, idolizes, and loves – Crookswho Lennie travels with, idolizes, and loves – Crooksturns his harsh words inward. He tells Lennie howturns his harsh words inward. He tells Lennie howhard it is to be shunned by the other men, and howhard it is to be shunned by the other men, and howlonely it gets in the barn with just books to keep Crooks lonely it gets in the barn with just books to keep Crooks company.company.

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There’s nothing wrong with that paragraph. However, it There’s nothing wrong with that paragraph. However, it becomes even more effective if we let Crooks do some of the becomes even more effective if we let Crooks do some of the talking, like this:talking, like this:

The effects of this isolation becomes clear when Crooks The effects of this isolation becomes clear when Crooks confides in Lennie during a poignant moment in Crooks’s room. confides in Lennie during a poignant moment in Crooks’s room. Lennie’s mental retardation and short memory span give Crooks Lennie’s mental retardation and short memory span give Crooks the confidence to bare his soul without fear of getting in trouble. the confidence to bare his soul without fear of getting in trouble. After painting a terrifying picture for Lennie of life without George – After painting a terrifying picture for Lennie of life without George – whom Lennie travels with, idolizes, and loves – Crooks turns his whom Lennie travels with, idolizes, and loves – Crooks turns his harsh words inward, saying about his own lonely life that, “A guy harsh words inward, saying about his own lonely life that, “A guy needs somebody – to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got needs somebody – to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody” (72).nobody” (72).

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We have used Crooks’s own words to help support We have used Crooks’s own words to help support our point. Because they are Crooks’ words, we put our point. Because they are Crooks’ words, we put them in quotation marks. Notice that we put the them in quotation marks. Notice that we put the page number, in parentheses, where the quote page number, in parentheses, where the quote comes from. In this paper, we’re only using material comes from. In this paper, we’re only using material from one source, so we do not need to identify the from one source, so we do not need to identify the author with the page number; simply use the page author with the page number; simply use the page number.number.

Because the quote is shorter than four typed lines, Because the quote is shorter than four typed lines, we can just include it in the same paragraph as the we can just include it in the same paragraph as the writing that comes before it.writing that comes before it.

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However, if we use quoted material that is five lines or longer, we make it However, if we use quoted material that is five lines or longer, we make it a separate paragraph; we indent all lines on the left; we take away the a separate paragraph; we indent all lines on the left; we take away the quotation marks; and we leave it double-spaced, like this:quotation marks; and we leave it double-spaced, like this:

The effects of this isolation becomes clear when Crooks confides The effects of this isolation becomes clear when Crooks confides in Lennie during a poignant moment in Crooks’ room. Lennie’s mental in Lennie during a poignant moment in Crooks’ room. Lennie’s mental retardation and short memory span gives Crooks the confidence to bare retardation and short memory span gives Crooks the confidence to bare his soul without fear of getting in trouble. After painting a terrifying picture his soul without fear of getting in trouble. After painting a terrifying picture for Lennie of life without George – who Lennie travels with, idolizes, and for Lennie of life without George – who Lennie travels with, idolizes, and loves – Crooks turns his harsh words inward on his own empty life:loves – Crooks turns his harsh words inward on his own empty life:

S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t go into the S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunkhouse and play rummy ‘cause you was black. How’d you bunkhouse and play rummy ‘cause you was black. How’d you

like like that? S’pose you had to sit out here an’ read books. Sure you that? S’pose you had to sit out here an’ read books. Sure you could could play horseshoes till it got dark, but play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. then you got to read books.

Books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody – to be near him. A Books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody – to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. (72-73)guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. (72-73)

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Now, one last step. We have to complete our point with a concluding thought after Now, one last step. We have to complete our point with a concluding thought after the quoted material. It would look something like this:the quoted material. It would look something like this:

After painting a terrifying picture for Lennie of life without George – who Lennie After painting a terrifying picture for Lennie of life without George – who Lennie travels with, idolizes, and loves – Crooks turns his harsh words inward on his own travels with, idolizes, and loves – Crooks turns his harsh words inward on his own empty life:empty life:

S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t go into the S’pose you didn’t have nobody. S’pose you couldn’t go into the bunkhouse bunkhouse and play rummy ‘cause you was black. How’d you like that? and play rummy ‘cause you was black. How’d you like that? S’pose you had S’pose you had to sit out here an’ read books. Sure you could play horseshoes to sit out here an’ read books. Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, till it got dark, but then you got to read books. Books ain’t no good. A guy but then you got to read books. Books ain’t no good. A guy needs somebody needs somebody – to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. (72-– to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody. (72-73)73)It’s clear that Crooks is aware of the damage loneliness is doing to his soul and It’s clear that Crooks is aware of the damage loneliness is doing to his soul and that he envies the relationship George and Lennie share. This prompts him to offer that he envies the relationship George and Lennie share. This prompts him to offer to work for free if he is allowed to join George and Lennie’s dream of owning their to work for free if he is allowed to join George and Lennie’s dream of owning their own place. Crooks is willing to work merely for room and board if it means having own place. Crooks is willing to work merely for room and board if it means having human companionship to stave off his devastating isolation. human companionship to stave off his devastating isolation.

A final note: Your follow-up discussion after the quote should be at least as long as A final note: Your follow-up discussion after the quote should be at least as long as the quote itself. Also, do not indent the follow-up paragraph. the quote itself. Also, do not indent the follow-up paragraph.

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Let’s all try one together as a warmup for Let’s all try one together as a warmup for the Socratic Seminar-related essay.the Socratic Seminar-related essay.

In your notebooks, draft an answer to this In your notebooks, draft an answer to this question: question:

Why is Lennie’s last name both ironic and symbolic?