1. It will be closed book so you must know quotations off by heart!
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I link issues in America to ‘Of Mice and Men’?
‘Of Mice and Men’ will appear in your Literature iGCSE paper. The essay is worth 30 marks and you will have a maximum of 45 minutes.
It will be closed book so you must know quotations off by heart!

2. What are your impressions of America?
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I link issues in America to ‘Of Mice and Men’?
What are your impressions of America?
Write down three statements.
I think America is...
To me, America means...
America brings up images of...

3. What does it suggest about America?
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I link issues in America to ‘Of Mice and Men’?
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she with silent lips.
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
This poem is inscribed inside the statue of liberty.
What does it suggest about America?
“Worldwide” – all are allowed
“yearning to breathe free” those who feel trapped will receive freedom in America.
Hyperlink to poem being read – click on picture Discuss what conceptions they have of America and how the poem on the statue adds to this – the land of hope and freedom for anybody from anywhere regardless of race, religion, gender
Lady Liberty welcomes all of the poor, tired and struggling to come ‘in’ to live in America.

4. LO: What is the American Dream
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I link issues in America to ‘Of Mice and Men’?
The American Dream
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. In America, with hard work and perseverance you can achieve anything. Anyone can be rich and successful. Do you think this is true? Discuss in pairs.

5. LO: What is the American Dream
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I link issues in America to ‘Of Mice and Men’?
In it’s simplest form the American Dream is the belief that anyone can succeed through hard-work regardless of background, race, gender, class, religion.
"life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement“
“all men are created equal”
America was an unexplored land for most Europeans and thus the idea of going somewhere far away brought many people new hopes; hopes of owning land and creating businesses and escaping their current situation.
A land of hopes and dreams.

6. Challenge: Can you link this to the American Dream?
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I explore the way it is presented in ‘Of Mice and Men’?
“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. They come in to a ranch an’ work up a stake and then they go inta town and blow their stake, and the first thing you know they’re poundin’ their tail on some other ranch. They ain’t got nothing to look ahead to.”
Read what George says to Lennie. What does this suggest about the future for migrant workers?
Challenge: Can you link this to the American Dream?
Page 31-32

7. How can you relate this to the American Dream?
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I explore the way it is presented in ‘Of Mice and Men’?
“Well with us it ain’t like that. We got a future. We got somebody to talk to that gives a damn about us. We don’t have to sit in no bar rom blowin’ in our jack jus’ because we got no place elese to go. If them other guys gets n jail they can rot for all anybody gives a damn. But not us.”
Why is it different for George and Lennie compared to all other migrant workers?
How can you relate this to the American Dream?
Challenge: Why has Steinbeck suggested it is different for George and Lennie? What is the effect?

8. LO: What is the American Dream
LO: What is the American Dream? Can I explore the way it is presented in ‘Of Mice and Men’?
Write a paragraph answering this question: How does Steinbeck present the lives of migrant workers?
Point:
Steinbeck suggests that the American dream is not a reality for the migrant workers and in fact they have no future.
Evidence: George states: “They don’t belong no place”.
Analysis:
The suggestion that the workers have “no place” goes against the idea of the American dream. The land has rejected these men and even though they work hard they clearly have not been rewarded.
Challenge:
Explain why Steinbeck has made it seem different for George and Lennie.