1. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck An introduction to the novel and novelist

2. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The Novelist John Steinbeck( 1902-1968) John Steinbeck( 1902-1968) Known for his fiction – Known for his fiction – his novels about the American his novels about the American Condition Condition and for his non fiction – his essays and for his non fiction – his essays on many issues to do with American life, his philosophy and his beliefs his philosophy and his beliefs The Grapes of Wrath 1939 is The Grapes of Wrath 1939 is considered to be his greatest work considered to be his greatest work Worked as journalist, labourer, Worked as journalist, labourer, fruitpicker, scientist,caretaker fruitpicker, scientist,caretaker Pulitzer Prize for Grapes of Wrath Pulitzer Prize for Grapes of Wrath Nobel Prize - 1962 Nobel Prize - 1962

3. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Of Mice and Men One of a series of “classical” novels such as Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row, East of Eden, The Pearl, Sweet Thursday One of a series of “classical” novels such as Grapes of Wrath, Cannery Row, East of Eden, The Pearl, Sweet Thursday The novel is set in Steinbeck’s own familiar territory – he was born in Salinas The novel is set in Steinbeck’s own familiar territory – he was born in Salinas The novel deals with the issues dear to Steinbeck’s heart - poverty, homelessness, the exploitation of itinerant workers, the failure of the Dream, America’s general moral decline The novel deals with the issues dear to Steinbeck’s heart - poverty, homelessness, the exploitation of itinerant workers, the failure of the Dream, America’s general moral decline

4. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The Man 1965 1965 Steinbeck didn’t preach but he cared. Behind reporting things as he saw them, focusing on the small but telling experiences in life, he was also a moralist and idealist. All his life he was essentially an idealist; that is, he searched to find the essence of things, the meanings or patterns behind what he observed…. He looked away from himself, observing the commonplace and the common people in order to see the whole picture as a democratic vista as accurately as he could… to see the whole as clearly as possible and to see it with his heart as well as with his head.

5. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The Title Taken from a line of poetry – the Scots Poet Robbie Burns wrote: Taken from a line of poetry – the Scots Poet Robbie Burns wrote: “The best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley” gang aft agley” The best laid schemes of mice and men often go wrong- referring to a little mouse who had so carefully built her burrow in a field to protect herself and her little mice babies – and the burrow is turned over and destroyed by the man ploughing

6. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Salinas Valley The valley

7. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Salinas and Surrounds Soledad Soledad Soledad Mission- the area is now grape growing

8. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The Valley today Steinbeck: Travels With Charley... Steinbeck: Travels With Charley... "I remember Salinas, the town of my birth, when it proudly announced four thousand citizens. Now it is eighty thousand and leaping pell mell on in a mathematical progression - a hundred thousand in three years and perhaps two hundred thousand in ten, with no end in sight. Even those people who joy in numbers and are impressed with bigness are starting to worry, gradually becoming aware that there must be a saturation point and the progress may be a progression toward strangulation." "I remember Salinas, the town of my birth, when it proudly announced four thousand citizens. Now it is eighty thousand and leaping pell mell on in a mathematical progression - a hundred thousand in three years and perhaps two hundred thousand in ten, with no end in sight. Even those people who joy in numbers and are impressed with bigness are starting to worry, gradually becoming aware that there must be a saturation point and the progress may be a progression toward strangulation."

9. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The Beauty of Salinas Rich, fertile soil Rich, fertile soil

10. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The Region Today Salinas - Monterey Overview Salinas - Monterey Overview Located in the central coast region of California, Monterey County encompasses the fertile, agriculturally important Salinas Valley. The valley, framed by mountain ranges on the east and west, runs the length of the county and is the site of most of the agricultural activities in the county. The north end of the Salinas Valley opens to the Pacific Ocean, source of the marine influence that cools the valley and makes possible the wide range of crops found here. With a total value of over $1.9 billion, Monterey County is the fourth highest agricultural producing county in California. The total land devoted to agriculture is approximately 1.4 million acres, and irrigated land is around 220,000 acres. Located in the central coast region of California, Monterey County encompasses the fertile, agriculturally important Salinas Valley. The valley, framed by mountain ranges on the east and west, runs the length of the county and is the site of most of the agricultural activities in the county. The north end of the Salinas Valley opens to the Pacific Ocean, source of the marine influence that cools the valley and makes possible the wide range of crops found here. With a total value of over $1.9 billion, Monterey County is the fourth highest agricultural producing county in California. The total land devoted to agriculture is approximately 1.4 million acres, and irrigated land is around 220,000 acres.

11. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy 1930’s A photo of the time A photo of the time and an ad – note the hoe and an ad – note the hoe

12. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Laguna Beach 1930’s

13. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The problems The dustbowl unemployment H. Hoover, President

14. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The Dustbowl The clouds appeared on the horizons with a thunderous roar. Turbulent dust clouds rolled in generally from the North and dumped a fine silt over the land. Men, women and children stayed in their houses and tied handkerchiefs over their noses and mouths. When they dared to leave, they added goggles to protect their eyes. Houses were shut tight, cloth was wedged in the cracks of the doors and windows but still the fine silt forced its way into houses, schools and businesses. During the storms, the air indoors was "swept" with wet gunny sacks. Sponges were used as makeshift "dust masks" and damp sheets were tied over the beds. The clouds appeared on the horizons with a thunderous roar. Turbulent dust clouds rolled in generally from the North and dumped a fine silt over the land. Men, women and children stayed in their houses and tied handkerchiefs over their noses and mouths. When they dared to leave, they added goggles to protect their eyes. Houses were shut tight, cloth was wedged in the cracks of the doors and windows but still the fine silt forced its way into houses, schools and businesses. During the storms, the air indoors was "swept" with wet gunny sacks. Sponges were used as makeshift "dust masks" and damp sheets were tied over the beds. "The Dust Bowl, Men, Dirt and Depression" by Paul Bonnifield.

15. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Information A summary - http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/summary.html A summary - http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/summary.htmlhttp://www.sparknotes.com/lit/micemen/summary.html John Steinbeck Internet Pre Quiz John Steinbeck Internet Pre Quiz 1. National Steinbeck Center Site Location: 1. National Steinbeck Center Site Location:National Steinbeck CenterNational Steinbeck Center http://www.steinbeck.org/MainFrame.html Read the site information and create a timeline of at least 8 events in the life of Steinbeck. Include when he received the Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes. http://www.steinbeck.org/MainFrame.html Read the site information and create a timeline of at least 8 events in the life of Steinbeck. Include when he received the Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes. 2. Steinbeck: A Brief Chronology Site Location: 2. Steinbeck: A Brief Chronology Site Location:Steinbeck: A Brief ChronologySteinbeck: A Brief Chronology http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/steinbec/chron.html Predict what experiences Steinbeck might have drawn upon in his life to write Of Mice and Men. (Obviously, before 1937.) http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/steinbec/chron.html Predict what experiences Steinbeck might have drawn upon in his life to write Of Mice and Men. (Obviously, before 1937.) 3. Of Mice and Men - Themes Site Location: 3. Of Mice and Men - Themes Site Location:Of Mice and Men - ThemesOf Mice and Men - Themes http://www.englishresources.co.uk/workunits/ks4/fiction/ofmicemen/small heath/themes.html What four themes from Of Mice and Men are explained at this site? http://www.englishresources.co.uk/workunits/ks4/fiction/ofmicemen/small heath/themes.html What four themes from Of Mice and Men are explained at this site?

16. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Come to.. Land Land of ofOpportunity

17. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The Dream – the land of Opportunity “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. “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 tost to me, Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” ( Emma Lazarus) ( Emma Lazarus) Written on the base of the Statue of Liberty

18. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The Dream The American Dream The American Dream You can be successful if you work hard and live morally You can be successful if you work hard and live morally America is the land of opportunity America is the land of opportunity Freedom to work hard and BE is enshrined in the Constitution Freedom to work hard and BE is enshrined in the Constitution Suggests it is a right, not a privilege Suggests it is a right, not a privilege The Dream assumes equality of opportunity, no discrimination, freedom to follow goals and freedom from victimization The Dream assumes equality of opportunity, no discrimination, freedom to follow goals and freedom from victimization

19. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Animal Imagery of the Novel- one of the symbolic aspects of the novel Title: Of Mice and Men Title: Of Mice and Men Alliterative connection between mice and men – both subject to fate. Context of title gives biggest clue of tragedy/pessimism for the dream Alliterative connection between mice and men – both subject to fate. Context of title gives biggest clue of tragedy/pessimism for the dream Struggle for survival of subject of Burns’s poem – hints strongly at vulnerability – powerful image of innocent helplessness against a much stronger force. Underlined in Lennie’s character in first chapter Struggle for survival of subject of Burns’s poem – hints strongly at vulnerability – powerful image of innocent helplessness against a much stronger force. Underlined in Lennie’s character in first chapter Simple logic. Dead mice in first chapter signals possible human tragedy, given the novel’s title Simple logic. Dead mice in first chapter signals possible human tragedy, given the novel’s title

20. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Animal Imagery in the Novel Characterisation- Lennie Characterisation- Lennie Bear metaphor significant. Legendary strength. Bear hug – over-enthusiastic and therefore painful – pre-cursor to Curley’s wife incident. Bear-baiting is effectively the catalyst which propels the plot towards its tragic conclusion Bear metaphor significant. Legendary strength. Bear hug – over-enthusiastic and therefore painful – pre-cursor to Curley’s wife incident. Bear-baiting is effectively the catalyst which propels the plot towards its tragic conclusion Lennie and mice both vulnerable – mice physically, Lennie emotionally- both are positioned as victims Lennie and mice both vulnerable – mice physically, Lennie emotionally- both are positioned as victims Lennie’s childlike “blubberin’” Lennie’s childlike “blubberin’” when mouse is thrown away is further when mouse is thrown away is further evidence of his emotional vulnerability, evidence of his emotional vulnerability, easily susceptible to exploitation

21. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Animal imagery in the Novel Where do the animal characteristics of George fit in? Where do the animal characteristics of George fit in? How are we positioned to see him? How are we positioned to see him?

22. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Animal Imagery in the Novel Setting Setting Mystery of events in Weed. Lennie petting girl’s dress, “jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse” – trouble in the past – recurring cycle of events? Mystery of events in Weed. Lennie petting girl’s dress, “jus’ wanted to pet it like it was a mouse” – trouble in the past – recurring cycle of events? Rabbits run for cover when situation becomes dangerous. Parallels with description of how “we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day and…sneak out in the dark.” Probability of this happening again with tragic result Rabbits run for cover when situation becomes dangerous. Parallels with description of how “we got to hide in a irrigation ditch all day and…sneak out in the dark.” Probability of this happening again with tragic result Tranquillity of setting is deceptive. Rabbits presented as innocent, cute and playful in their natural setting, but hint of calm before the storm hallucinatory, grotesque rabbit of last chapter Tranquillity of setting is deceptive. Rabbits presented as innocent, cute and playful in their natural setting, but hint of calm before the storm hallucinatory, grotesque rabbit of last chapter

23. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Animal Imagery in the Novel References to the Discourses References to the Discourses Rabbits’ story represents the dream that from the outset seems unrealistic Rabbits’ story represents the dream that from the outset seems unrealistic Other animals are used to paint picture of land ownership and self-sufficiency, but since George is relating the story to the childlike Lennie, there is the quality of fairytale set against struggle for survival Other animals are used to paint picture of land ownership and self-sufficiency, but since George is relating the story to the childlike Lennie, there is the quality of fairytale set against struggle for survival Rabbits’ description at the end of chapter one is used to eliminate possibility of any aspect of dream having any realistic meaning – fantasy world of the imagination only – the Dream is an illusion for most people Rabbits’ description at the end of chapter one is used to eliminate possibility of any aspect of dream having any realistic meaning – fantasy world of the imagination only – the Dream is an illusion for most people

24. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Clarifying the discourses of the novel The Discourse of the Dream The Discourse of the Dream The Discourse of the Outcast The Discourse of the Outcast The Discourse of Injustice The Discourse of Injustice The Discourse of Responsibility of the powerful……. The Discourse of Responsibility of the powerful……. The Discourse of Defeated hope…….. The Discourse of Defeated hope…….. The question to answer is: How is the Discourse privileged through character construction?

25. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy The techniques available to an author Positioning the reader through Characterization Characterization Binary opposition Binary opposition Foregrounding/ privileging of events and responses Foregrounding/ privileging of events and responses Use of symbol Use of symbol Emotive language, emotive description Emotive language, emotive description Silences Silences Gaps Gaps Author intrusion Author intrusion …….. …….. All of the above assist in the development of discourse and dominant reading

26. Of Mice and Men - Eva Banathy Review – choose one and outline your discussion The novel deals with the discourses of despair, hope and the celebration of the human spirit The novel deals with the discourses of despair, hope and the celebration of the human spirit In society, the victims are the ones who do not survive the demands of society In society, the victims are the ones who do not survive the demands of society The novel addresses a number of issues – among these are the issue of injustice and the victimisation of the helpless The novel addresses a number of issues – among these are the issue of injustice and the victimisation of the helpless The American dream has failed The American dream has failed