Of Mice and Men A novella by John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck ( ) Born in Salinas, CA Born in Salinas, CA Father was a local official Father was a local official Mother was a schoolteacher Mother was a schoolteacher she inspired his love of reading and writing she inspired his love of reading and writing

John Steinbeck (continued) During summers, he worked as a hired hand on nearby ranches During summers, he worked as a hired hand on nearby ranches These experiences showed up in his writing These experiences showed up in his writing

Graduated high school in 1919 and then attended Stanford University Graduated high school in 1919 and then attended Stanford University Dropped out of school and moved to New York to write full time Dropped out of school and moved to New York to write full time Unable to get published, he returned to California Unable to get published, he returned to California

In 1930, he married Carol Henning In 1930, he married Carol Henning His first three novels from 1929 through the mid-1930s were poorly received His first three novels from 1929 through the mid-1930s were poorly received

Publishes Tortilla Flat in 1939 Publishes Tortilla Flat in 1939 It was a turning point in his literary career It was a turning point in his literary career In 1939, he wins the Pulitzer Prize for Grapes of Wrath In 1939, he wins the Pulitzer Prize for Grapes of Wrath

Steinbeck was a very private person Steinbeck was a very private person Shunned publicity throughout his life Shunned publicity throughout his life He died of a heart attack in 1968 in New York He died of a heart attack in 1968 in New York

The Great Depression ( ) Black Tuesday Black Tuesday October 29 th, 1929 the stock market crashes the stock market crashes

The Great Depression (continued) Industry and businesses struggle Industry and businesses struggle People lose their jobs People lose their jobs Some banks collapse Some banks collapse People lose their personal savings People lose their personal savings

Many people (especially men without families) become migrant workers Many people (especially men without families) become migrant workers Industrialized farms eliminate many agricultural jobs Industrialized farms eliminate many agricultural jobs Workers float among seasonal jobs Workers float among seasonal jobs Too many workers and not enough jobs Too many workers and not enough jobs

The Great Depression ends with the onset of The Great Depression ends with the onset of World War II in 1939

Of Mice and Men (1937) based on Steinbeck’s experiences in the 1920s based on Steinbeck’s experiences in the 1920s Centers around two migrant workers near Soledad, CA Centers around two migrant workers near Soledad, CA

Of Mice and Men (continued) a novella a novella short novel short novel Also meant to be read and adapted as a play Also meant to be read and adapted as a play

Literary Terms Theme – the central idea or ideas the writer intends to share with the reader Theme – the central idea or ideas the writer intends to share with the reader

Literary Terms (continued) Symbol – a person, place, or object that a concrete meaning in itself and also stands for something else Symbol – a person, place, or object that a concrete meaning in itself and also stands for something else

Characterization – the techniques a writer uses to develop characters Characterization – the techniques a writer uses to develop characters Allusion – an indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work Allusion – an indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work

Foreshadowing – a writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events that will occur in a story Foreshadowing – a writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events that will occur in a story Setting – the time and place in which the action occurs in a literary work Setting – the time and place in which the action occurs in a literary work