1. Of Mice and Men
By John Steinbeck

2. Background
Of Mice and Men was published in It tells the story of two migrant workers, George and Lennie.
The story generated many criticisms because of its use of vulgarities and how it condemned the ranch owners and their treatment of migrant and minority workers.

3. Characters George Milton Lennie Small (oxymoron) Candy Slim
Curley and The Boss
Curley’s wife
Crooks (pun)
Candy’s dog
Carlson, Whit, and Aunt Clara

4. Character types
Dynamic
Static
Digressing
Protagonist
Antagonist

5. Themes Human companionship The joys and pains of friendship
Weakness and mental disabilities
Fate and its consequences attached to irony

6. Development
Of Mice and Men was Steinbeck’s attempt at writing a “play-novelette.”
It is structured in three acts of two chapters each. It is truly considered a novella, but because of its unique story development, it can be considered a play as well.

7. Literary elements
Plot
Setting
Characters
Tone/Mood
Irony
Theme

8. Summary Activity
What does friendship mean to you?Explain words

9. Chapter 1 notes:
George and Lennie are introduced and they come into the scene in a forest/nature and Lennie is carrying a mouse that George discards.
Both are running away from their old job to a new job.
Lennie grabs a girls dress and messes up/makes a mistake.

10. Heading to the new ranch and they find out they are miles away- George decides for them to stay the night and go into work the next day.
After Lennie goes to get the mouse/firewood, George loses his temper. George foreshadows trouble in the future.