Of Mice and Men Background Information

Story Setting Begins in California Dust Bowl The Great Depression

Author and Genre John Steinbeck ( ) – Grew up in Salinas, CA – Attended Stanford University – Known for reflecting common man’s experiences in America and the American Dream – “Steinbeck's novels can all be classified as social novels dealing with the economic problems of rural labour, but there is also a streak of worship of the soil in his books, which does not always agree with his matter-of-fact sociological approach” (nobelprize.org). Novella written in 2 nd Person POV

Primary Theme Dream Deferred – What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore-- And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?

Reading Questions Pages )How would you describe George and Lennie’s relationship? 2)What is Lennie’s dream? 3)Where is this part of the story set? 4)What words does Steinbeck use to characterize George and Lennie? (Use direct quotes with PC’s.) 5)What clues does the author give you to show that Lennie has “the mind of a young child”?

Reading Questions )What is a bunkhouse and how was it described? 2)Explain who “the boss” is. 3)How does Steinbeck characterize Curley? Slim? Use direct quotes to answer this question (including PC’s). 4)What are George and Lennie’s last names? 5)What are the three main events of this chapter?