1. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Section 1
Analysis

2. TIPS for effective novel analysis
Try to engage and respond personally to the characters, ideas and story
We are keen to see you develop your own independent ideas and thoughts about Of Mice and Men
Talk about the text with family and friends
Ask questions in class
Keep notes – mind maps, diagrams, scribbled jottings
Pick out language that impresses you or makes an impact
Treat your studying creatively
Explain yourself clearly, use quotations and well-chosen vocabulary
Commit to engaging in the analysis in class and in your own time at home

3. Section 1
George and Lennie, having walked a long way, stop at a pool by the Salinas River.
They are off to take up work at a nearby ranch.
They have had to leave their previous work for some, as yet to be explained, reason to do with Lennie.
It is clear that Lennie is slow to understand. He has been keeping a dead mouse to ‘pet’. George makes him get rid of it.
We learn that they left Weed because Lennie had touched a girl’s dress, she’d shouted out, and they’d had to hide in a ditch to escape angry townsfolk.
George tells Lennie a story he has obviously told before about how one day they plan to have their own little farm.
George makes Lennie promise to meet him at the pool if there’s trouble.

4. Why is this section important?
It establishes the setting
We are introduced to the two main characters, Lennie and George
Their relationship is made clear
We find out what happened previously in Weed (the reason they are here now), and are told where they are going next.
It provides initial clues about key ideas, themes and events which will come up again as the book progresses.

5. Themes within Of Mice and Men
Human fragility
Humanity is small and fragile in comparison with the forces that control our lives
(p.10, p.48-52, p )
Dreams and reality
The dreams that people have
(p.14-16, p.50-51, p.61-64, p.96-97)

6. Themes within Of Mice and Men
Pessimism or optimism
Protest and racial prejudice
(p.66, 88-89)

7. Themes within Of Mice and Men
Loneliness
Something we fight or succumb to
(p.14-15, p.45-46, p.49, p.73-74, p.94-95)
Relationships
George and Lenny, Candy and his dog, George, Lenny and Candy, Curley and his wife, Lennie and his pets

8. Through which novel elements will you analyse Of Mice and Men?
setting
characterisation
plot
dialogue
language
themes
symbols

9. Section 1 - analysis
How does Steinbeck strike an immediate contrast between the two characters? In particular, find words within each description that are direct ‘opposites’ to each other. (“Quote.”, p. no)
George and Lenny take very different approaches to drinking the water. What does each man’s approach say about his character?
What do George’s first words to Lennie tell us about the relationship between the two men?
There are places in this section where Lennie is compared to an animal. Find them, and explain how this gives us a stronger idea of Lennie’s physical presence in the novel.
What other examples of metaphors, similes or figurative language techniques can you find in the extract? How do they give us a clearer picture of the two men and their environment?
What do Lennie’s contributions and interruptions tell us about his character?

10. There are four ways in which an author develops characters
There are four ways in which an author develops characters. Complete a graphic organiser each for George and Lennie, and give one example of each element below.

11. Section 1 - analysis
What does George want Lennie to do when they get to their new job?
Describe Lennie and George’s dream for the future.
Do you think George and Lennie’s plans are realistic or romantic? How does Steinbeck give us a clue about this? How does the extract tie in with what you know about The American Dream?
Steinbeck indicates that this conversation has happened many times before. Find three quotations from the extract that show this. What is the significance of this?
What do Lennie’s contributions and interruptions tell us about his character?
George’s mood changes through the extract. Show how Steinbeck presents this, and suggest why it is so. (Clue: Steinbeck’s use of adverbs may help you see this.)

12. George often uses the specific colloquial language (informal language/slang) of the itinerant worker. Copy down these examples from the extract and explain in your own words what they mean.
‘work up a stake’ (p.15)
poundin’ their tail’(p.15)
‘get the jack together’ (p.16)
‘an’ live off the fatta the lan’ (p.16) ‘

13. Grabbing the reader
From Section 1, find examples of each from the list of techniques that Steinbeck uses to grab our attention as readers.
Techniques used by Steinbeck
Evidence from the text
Includes description of real places
Describes an interesting, unusual setting
Written in present tense
Uses vivid, descriptive language
Describes interesting characters that you want to find out more about
Describes the actions of characters
Describes the personality of characters
Uses dialogue to portray character
Portrays interesting character relationships
Describes moments of drama and tension
Gives clues about events that have happened before the novel’s opening
Drops hints about what might happen in the future

14. Rank the techniques used by Steinbeck.
Place what you consider to be the most effective at the top, and the least effective at the bottom.
Explain in paragraph form your decision and the reasons why.

15. Analysis paragraph
Using your responses, and knowledge of Section 1 after our analysis this week, write a paragraph showing how Steinbeck has shown the contrasting characters of George and Lennie.
Use the PEE chain structure and use three (3) points of proof.
For example, you might do a paragraph each on actions, language and dialogue.
Topic sentence
Point
Evidence
Explain