John steinbeck Of Mice and Men

John Ernst Steinbeck Biography Born in Salinas, California, on February 27 Parents encouraged his love of writing Learned about ranch life as a teen during summers These experiences would help him create rich characters and beautiful descriptions of the land Graduated from Salinas High School in 1919 Attended Stanford University His attendance was poor, and he only took classes that interested him (for example, writing, literature, and marine biology) John Ernst Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California, on February 27, 1902 , of German and Irish ancestry. His parents encouraged his love of writing! His father, John Steinbeck, Sr., was the County Treasurer and his mother, Olive (Hamilton) Steinbeck, was a former school teacher. Young Steinbeck learned about ranch life as a teen during summers. He did odd jobs on the ranches and paid close attention to his environment and the people around him. Later, these experiences would help him create rich characters and beautiful descriptions of the land. After graduating from Salinas High School in 1919, Steinbeck attended Stanford University. He was not too interested in completing a full educational program. His attendance was poor, and he only took classes that interested him (for example, writing, literature, and marine biology

Biography, Continued Left Stanford in 1925 Moved to New York City His first novel, Cup of Gold, was published in 1929 The Pastures of Heaven and To a God Unknown followed Married his first wife, Carol Henning, in 1930 Lived in Pacific Grove (close to Monterey). Tortilla Flat (1935) received the California Commonwealth Club's Gold Medal for best novel by a California author. He left Stanford permanently in 1925 and moved to New York City to follow his dream of becoming a writer. His first novel, Cup of Gold, was published in 1929, but was not well received. Next, were The Pastures of Heaven and To a God Unknown. Pastures of Heaven is a terrific book, but, again no one in the literary community seemed to care about it. Steinbeck married his first wife, Carol Henning, in 1930. She was really Steinbeck’s unofficial editor; after all, she was the only one who could read Steinbeck’s tiny scrawl (he hated typing). They lived in Pacific Grove (close to Monterey). Tortilla Flat (1935) marked the turning point in Steinbeck's literary career. It received the California Commonwealth Club's Gold Medal for best novel by a California author.

Biography The Grapes of Wrath (1939) won the Pulitzer Prize. War Correspondent during World War II Some of his war articles were published in Once There Was a War. Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 A private person who did not seek publicity. Died December 20, 1968, in New York City Survived by his third wife, Elaine (Scott) Steinbeck and one son, Thomas. His ashes were placed in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Salinas.   Steinbeck continued writing, using a lot of research, personal experiences, and observations about people and their hopes, sorrows, and dreams. The Grapes of Wrath (1939) won the Pulitzer Prize. During World War II, Steinbeck was a war correspondent for the New York Herald Tribune. Some of his writing work there ended up in a collection called Once There Was a War. John Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962 “...for his realistic as well as imaginative writings, distinguished by a sympathetic humor and a keen social perception.” .Pretty much, Steinbeck was a private person who did not seek publicity. . He died December 20, 1968, in New York City and is survived by his third wife, Elaine (Scott) Steinbeck and one son, Thomas. His ashes were placed in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Salinas (and I have been there!).  

National Steinbeck Center—Salinas

1930s Great Depression Era Photos

1930s Hooverville

1930s Salinas Valley Lettuce Pickers

1930s Dust Bowl

1930s California Migrant Camp

1930s Migrant Family

The Most Famous Photo of the Depression

Of Mice and Men setting Of Mice and Men is set on a Salinas Valley ranch in California during The Great Depression of the 1930s.

Additional Background Many migrant workers from the Midwest and South (notably, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas), migrated to California in search of work.

Of Mice and Men Characters Lennie -  Large and childlike character Mentally challenged Depends on his best friend, George They share a dream of owning a ranch Nice and loving Does not know his own strength. George -  Lennie’s traveling companion Like a parent to Lennie Talks about how much better his life would be without needing to care for Lennie Good hearted Easily frustrated by Lennie Lennie -  He is a large and childlike character who is mentally challenged. Lennie depends on his best friend, George, for direction and friendship. Together, they share a dream of owning a ranch and “living off the fatta the ‘lan.” Lennie, at heart, is nice and loving, but his downfall is that he does not know his own strength. George -  He is Lennie’s traveling companion and serves pretty much as an adult to the childlike behavior of Lennie. He often talks about how much better his life would be without his obligation to Lennie. George is good hearted, too, but he is easily frustrated by Lennie.

Of Mice and Men Characters Curley -  boss's son wears high-heeled boots to set him apart former prizefighter Physically, he is a small man Full of bravado and implied threats Candy -  old handyman (“swamper”) lost his hand in an accident has an old dog that is sick, who smells, and is crippled   Curley's wife -  only female character Steinbeck never gave her a name recently married to Curley flirtatious with other men. Candy -  He’s the old handyman (“swamper”) on the ranch. Candy lost his hand in an accident and no longer contributes much to the ranch. He has an old dog that is sick, who smells, and is crippled.   Curley's wife -  She is the only female character in the novel; Steinbeck never gave her a name. She has been recently married to Curley, but is flirtatious with other men.

Of Mice and Men Characters   Crooks -  The only African-American on the ranch Gets his name from his crooked back Lives in separate quarters He lives in separate quarters due to his race, before sharing this with students, ask why he might live in separate quarters.

Of mice and men characters Slim -  He is more than competent at his job and is well respected. The other characters often look to Slim for advice. Everyone looks up to Slim, and his word is taken as the final stance.   Carlson -  He is a ranch-worker, and he complains constantly about Candy's old, smelly dog. He’s a minor character, but is significant in many ways.

Of Mice and Men: Themes Themes to Consider as we Read: Friendship Loneliness Mental Disability Racism Strong vs. Weak Dreams vs. Reality