Of Mice and Men Notes Use these notes to help you understand the novella

Vocabulary Chapter 1 1. Bindle (noun) – a bundle of bedding carried by a traveler 2. Jack (noun) – slang term for money 3. Morosely (adverb) – with sadness (She morosely took the test because she knew she hadn’t studied very hard.) 4. Pantomime (verb) – to copy (The toddler pantomimed his mother’s actions.) 5. Drone (verb) – to go on and on in a monotone (The math teacher droned on about fractions.) 6. Contemplate (verb) – to think about deeply (He contemplated his next move very carefully.)

Allusions and Historical References Chapter 1 – Soledad, CA

Allusions and Historical References Chapter 1 – Salinas River

Allusions and Historical References Chapter 1 – Weed, CA

Allusions and Historical References “watchin the blackboard”/ work cards

Literary Terms Chapter 1 Imply – To guess what the meaning is based on information gathered. (I can imply that you had math homework last night because I see many of you trying to finish it right now.) Imply – To guess what the meaning is based on information gathered. (I can imply that you had math homework last night because I see many of you trying to finish it right now.) Allusion – a reference in literature to something that the author assumes is within the readers’ frame of reference. (Weed, CA) Allusion – a reference in literature to something that the author assumes is within the readers’ frame of reference. (Weed, CA) Exposition – The very beginning of the novel (How everything starts out) Exposition – The very beginning of the novel (How everything starts out) Setting – Time, place and historical context of the story (What’s the setting of this novel?) Setting – Time, place and historical context of the story (What’s the setting of this novel?) Point of view – The perspective from which the story is told (What are the different points of view in literature? What is this story told in? Check the first page!) Point of view – The perspective from which the story is told (What are the different points of view in literature? What is this story told in? Check the first page!)

Vocabulary Chapter 2 1. Swamper (noun) – handyman; someone who performs odd jobs (What job might this person be responsible for on a farm?) 2. Tick (noun) – A mattress cover; like a thick sheet 3. Stable buck (noun) – A stable is a place for horses, A buck is used in this instance as a derogatory term for a black man. Therefore, a stable buck is a black man that works in a stable with the horses.

4. Skinner (noun) – a person responsible for driving the mules (in this case a job that requires a higher level of skill than your average farm worker) 5. Cesspool (noun) – An stagnate pool of water that usually has algae growing in it among other things 6. Ominously (adverb) – Ominous means foreboding or dangerous so doing something ominously would be doing it in such a way that it causes suspicion or fear 7. Pugnacious (adjective) – Filled with anger; argumentative 8. Mollified (verb) – to feel appeased; to have feelings of anger grow less intense Vocabulary Chapter 2

Literary Terms: Chapter 2 Dialect – Language used by a specific group of people (Southern dialect vs Californian dialect) Dialect – Language used by a specific group of people (Southern dialect vs Californian dialect) Novella – A short novel Novella – A short novel Irony – When the opposite of what you expect to happen, happens Irony – When the opposite of what you expect to happen, happens Direct Characterization – When the author gives you a specific description. (What is a piece of direct characterization for George?) Direct Characterization – When the author gives you a specific description. (What is a piece of direct characterization for George?) Indirect Characterization – When an author sets up a situation where you learn about the character based on his or her actions. (What is a piece of indirect characterization for Lennie?) Indirect Characterization – When an author sets up a situation where you learn about the character based on his or her actions. (What is a piece of indirect characterization for Lennie?)

Impressions/Predictions

Vocabulary Chapter 3 1. Derision (noun) – ridicule or mockery; making fun of someone. (The derision in the classroom caused much commotion.) 2. Receptive (adjective) – willingness to receive (The students were receptive of the information that the teacher provided.) 3. Reprehensible (adjective) – deserving blame (If someone is reprehensible, he or she has done something bad or wrong.) 4. Reverence (noun) – a feeling of deep respect. (I show reverence when meeting an award-winning author. I have respect for her work.)

Chapter 3 Allusions and Historical References Luger – German semiautomatic pistol Luger – German semiautomatic pistol

Chapter 3 Literary Terms Theme – The central lesson that the author is trying to convey. (Topic + Opinion = Theme) Theme – The central lesson that the author is trying to convey. (Topic + Opinion = Theme) Imagery – Description that creates a mental picture for the reader. (Uses all 5 senses) Imagery – Description that creates a mental picture for the reader. (Uses all 5 senses) Onomatopoeia – A word that sounds like its meaning. (pop, sizzle, cuckoo) Onomatopoeia – A word that sounds like its meaning. (pop, sizzle, cuckoo) Foreshadow – When an author gives hints about what is coming up in the novel. Foreshadow – When an author gives hints about what is coming up in the novel.

Chapter 3 Literary Terms Conflict – The problems that arise during the course of the novel. Conflict – The problems that arise during the course of the novel. Man vs Man Man vs Man Man vs Nature Man vs Nature Man vs Society Man vs Society Man vs Self Man vs Self

Chapter 4 Vocabulary 1. Aloof (adj): reserved, indifferent (The aloof student sat in the back of the classroom and hardly participated. ) 2. Fawning (verb): to seek notice or favor by a servile demeanor, obsequious (The fawning mother continued to brag about her child’s award.) 3. Apprehension (noun): nervous about an outcome (The students faced much apprehension while waiting for their AP Euro test to be returned. )

Chapter 4 Vocabulary Continued 4. Indignation (noun): strong displeasure at something considered unjust or offensive (She had much indignation when she was passed over for a promotion because she was pregnant.) 5. Crestfallen (adj): dejected, sad (The crestfallen child cried after she lost the soccer game.) 5. Crestfallen (adj): dejected, sad (The crestfallen child cried after she lost the soccer game.)

Chapter 4 Literary Terms Verbal irony: When a person says or writes one thing but means another; the words are meant to convey a meaning opposite of a literal meaning Verbal irony: When a person says or writes one thing but means another; the words are meant to convey a meaning opposite of a literal meaning Saying, “Terrible weather we're having!" on a beautiful, sunny spring day. Saying, “Terrible weather we're having!" on a beautiful, sunny spring day. Symbolism: Symbols used to represent something with a larger meaning (the dream farm for Lennie, George and Candy represents what on a greater scale? Symbolism: Symbols used to represent something with a larger meaning (the dream farm for Lennie, George and Candy represents what on a greater scale?

Chapter 4 Paragraph Topic sentence: In Of Mice and Men Steinbeck explores the idea that life is not complete with out having a person to share it with. He focuses on this theme through several characters who are faced with loneliness. For example, ________ says, “…” This demonstrates…Another character, _________ shows (his/her) longing for a companion when …. Topic sentence: In Of Mice and Men Steinbeck explores the idea that life is not complete with out having a person to share it with. He focuses on this theme through several characters who are faced with loneliness. For example, ________ says, “…” This demonstrates…Another character, _________ shows (his/her) longing for a companion when ….

Chapter 5 and 6 Vocabulary 1. Woe (noun): Deep suffering (She was filled with woe when she heard that her dear aunt had passed.) 2. Writhed (verb): To twist in pain (The caterpillar writhed when the little boy pierced him with the stick.) 3. Belligerently (adverb): ready to fight (The student belligerently yelled at the teacher and then ran out the door.) 4. Monotonous (noun): same thing again and again (Math is sometimes monotonous.)

Chapter 5/6 Literary Terms Protagonist: The main character who faces conflicts throughout the novel Protagonist: The main character who faces conflicts throughout the novel Who is the protagonist in the novel? Who encounters the most problems? Who is the protagonist in the novel? Who encounters the most problems? Personification: Giving human-like qualities to non-human things Personification: Giving human-like qualities to non-human things Example: The sun is smiling down his happy rays of golden delight! Example: The sun is smiling down his happy rays of golden delight!

Chapter 5 Paragraph I think that George’s decision to kill Lennie at the end of the novel is (justified/not justified). I believe this because…. Slim says at the end of chapter 6, “…”What he means is…