Download Of Mice and Men: Character Analysis, Themes, and Context and more Slides English Literature in PDF only on Docsity! Of Mice and Men Characters George Lennie Slim Curley Curley’s Wife Candy Crooks Themes • Dreams • The American Dream • Friendship • Isolation/Loneliness • Racism • Role of Women • Ageism Plot 1. Plot focusses on the characters of George and Lennie – 2 migrant workers. George is smart and looks after Lennie, as Lennie has a mental disability. (it was unusual for men to work in pairs. 2. The novel starts with George and Lennie going to a new job, as they had to leave their old one due to Lennie’s behaviour. 3. They spend a night by a peaceful pool before going to the ranch, George tells Lennie to go back there if he ever gets in trouble. We find out that they have a dream of owning their own land and having their own small farm. We also learn Lennie likes to stroke soft things like mice/rabbits. 4. George and Lennie arrive at the bunk house, George speaks for Lennie when they meet the boss. We are introduced to the characters Candy, Curley, Curley’s Wife and Slim. 5. Slim gives a puppy to Lennie whilst Candy agrees to having his old dog shot. George and Lennie discuss their ‘Dream’ and Candy asks if he can join them - he has some money to help. Curley turns on Lennie and Lennie crushes Curley’s hand. 6. Curley’s wife reveals how lonely she is. Lennie accidentally kills the puppy. 7. Lennie and Curley’s Wife talk together, he panics and ends up breaking her neck. Lennie flees and the men go after him. 8. Lennie waits for George by the pool. George finds Lennie, comforts him, and then shoots him before the others get to him. Of Mice and Men Context • The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, the set of ideals (democracy, rights, liberty, opportunity and equality) in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. • People believed that they could move to America and become successful and buy a house and land and become self-sufficient. • The American Dream is rooted in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims that "all men are created equal" with the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." The American Dream • The Great Depression was a severe economic depression that took place in the 1930s in America, as a result of the stock market crashing. • The ‘Wall Street Crash’ took happened in 1929 –it was the start of the great depression. • • It had a huge effect on jobs – people had to move to find work. • Created lots of migrant workers (people who had to move from their homes to find work) The Great Depression Author: John Steinbeck (1902 – 1968) • John Steinbeck is an American author. • Wrote about society in America/ Ordinary people • Published Of Mice and Men in 1937
